A brief hoddler-in-chief’s note: Fitzie would like to give a big thanks to Menno and MattyFlatt for doing a superb job filling in whilst Fitzie was away last week. Their help is greatly appreciated! Now, on with the hoddle:
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THE BEAST OF THE EAST IS BACK !!!!!!!!
After 25 years, St John’s University are Big East Champions again. First by winning the regular season as the outright conference champions, and then winning the Big East tournament in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
What I find more remarkable than their defense (third-best in the country) is St John’s ability to claw back huge deficits. First was a 15-point hole against Marquette in the semifinal game, and then an eight-point hole against Creighton in the Big East title game. St John’s beat Creighton by 16.
They’ve got a hell of a team led by RJ Luis Jr, Big East player of the year. As well as Kadary Richmond, Zuby Ejofor and Aaron Scott.
And who could neglect Rick Pitino, the legendary coach who turned this hapless programme around in two seasons?
And what a fitting moment it is for St John’s, whose monolithic coach Lou Carnesecca died in November.
The NCAA committee awarded St John’s the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the annual US college basketball championship.
The Johnnies are in a tough region too with Florida, UConn, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Maryland and a sneaky Colorado State team. OF COURSE I have St John’s winning it.
What about the rest of the field? Let’s take a quick look:
South:
This tournament is all about the SEC, but who advanes out of it? Overall top seed Auburn are the clear favourites here, but what about A&M? Then there’s Big Ten champs Michigan who I think are under-seeded at 5.
East:
Can Duke go far without Cooper Flag? I don’t see too many teams in here capable of punishing them except for maybe Alabama.
Midwest:
THis one looks more fun and I’m looking forward to a potential Houston-Gonzaga matchup in the second round. Clemson are an interesting wild card, too. I’m not too sold on either SEC teams here (Kentucky and Tennessee).
Fitzie’s Final Four:
St John’s > Auburn
Duke > Clemson
Fitzie’s championship game: St John’s > Duke
Lol of course I’m going with St John’s! New York’s team is back!
Fitzie’s track of the day: New York Groove, by Ace Frehly
And now for your links:
Dan KP: “Insipid Tottenham defeat highlights Europa League problem”
The Athletic: “Tel struggles and is Europe only thing keeping Postecoglou safe?”
The Guardian: “Hapless Spurs suffer again as Sessegnon has Fulham dreaming of European place”
ESPN: “Dele Alli sent off on Como debut in first match for 748 days”