Showtime.

HOOK:

“Prediction.”

Last night I was on Nova in a tight game.  I have thought about this most of the day and am changing up.  Do I feel there is a certain specialness about this Nova team?  Yes.  Do I get that not always does the better team win?  Yes.  But, I just can’t by the logic I am providing below.  Do I know that Nova’s advantage is they can play at whatever pace UNC wants to play, which will be fast.  My final prediction is UNC 78-75.  One thing I read today made the most sense.  Nova CAN win.  UNC WILL win.  I am not betting on that score and will probably be rooting for Nova overall to be honest.

1.  NOVA SHOOTING PERCENTAGE:  They can’t keep shooting at this clip, can they?  No.  And UNC guards have the luxury of playing aggressive on the perimeter since they know they have their bigs guarding the paint behind them.  Nova won’t get the same amount of open looks.
2. SIZE: Nova has one true center, and the Tar Heels have not only size, but depth at those size positions.  So, foul trouble might bother Nova.  UNC’s misses will be their best friend because of offensive rebounds.  Not splitting the atom when I say they are just bigger than Nova.
3. MARCUS PAIGE:  He is going to do everything inn his power to make sure he goes out the right way.  And, for all of our complaining about him being a little off this year, he can’t change the past.  He just needs to drop a couple in a two hour period of time tonight.
4. PRESSURE:  UNC actually LIKES to play fast, so Nova’s pressure won’t bother them as much.
5. PREP TIME:  Two days isn’t enough time for a team to figure out how to solve a size problem.  I think UNC has an advantage because of the quick turnaround.

We are either going to hear more “doggonits” or Jay Wright is going to suddenly change how he is viewed as a coach.  But, something is weird about this tourney, meaning I am probably very wrong, and enjoy your championship, Villanova.

LINE:

“Iverson.”

You can talk about his sinking average at the end of his career.  You can talk about off the court problems.  You can talk about some of his interviews.  Bottom line is this.  Allen Iverson defied all logic with his size in becoming as dominant as he was.  If he didn’t take the worst supporting team to the NBA Finals, then they certainly are in the top 5.  He played hurt too as he was constantly beaten up.  He was a type of player we will probably never see again.  Hope you got to enjoy some of his time.

SINKER:

“Trouble.”

McCoy gets no charges, Aldon Smith signs with the Raiders, Broner turns himself in to authorities, and Hardy says he hits no women.  These four guys could at least take off Championship Monday to be in the news.  Can’t wait for them to pick a new way to be on the wire.

THE RIVER:

“Zach.”

Zach LaVine was looking for a way to be involved in his community and ended up bonding with a local deaf school.  Being able to sign was also amazing.  Him giving his dunk contest winnings to that school was my favorite non Final Four story of the day.  Very classy and touching.

That’s it for today.  Enjoy the game.  Will I blog tomorrow?  That is a CLOWN question, bro.  Peace.