THE SPORTZ ASSASSIN: March 2023

Friday, March 31, 2023

A Tournament of North Carolina's Tournament Wins (Final Four)

With North Carolina not invited to participate in the 2023 NCAA tournament, I read someone on Twitter roast Tar Heel fans (like me) that we are just going to sit and watch old tournament games to fill the void.

Monday, March 27, 2023

A Tournament of North Carolina's Tournament Wins (Elite 8)

Hmm. What a great idea.

Watching old tournament games sure is fun and it can make you remember the good times while the bad times forced you to have nothing to do. So instead of just watching old North Carolina hoops games, how about we create out own tournament of Heels' NCAA tournament wins to see which one is the best.

So below are the 32 best games, and I divided them up into four regions -- Jordan, McGuire, Williams and Smith regions. We will battle over the next three weeks to see who comes out as the best game in Carolina tournament history. The seedings have the six tournament champions getting the No. 1 seeds and the top No. 2 seeds. From there, just the best games no matter where they happened in the tournament.

Here is the entire tournament revealed. In a few days, we will have our first round winners and our Sweet 16. Here ya go:

JORDAN REGION
1 - UNC/Georgetown (1982) vs 8 - UNC/Notre Dame (1985)
4 - UNC/Oklahoma (1990) vs 5 - UNC/Cincinnati (1993)
3 - UNC/Ohio State (1946) vs 6 - UNC/Villanova (1982)
2 - UNC/Michigan State (1957) vs 7 - UNC/Ohio (2012)

1-UNC/Georgetown (1982) vs 4-UNC/Oklahoma (1990)
2-UNC/Michigan State (1957) vs 3-UNC/Ohio State (1946)

1-UNC/Georgetown (1982) vs 2-UNC/Michigan State (1957)

MCGUIRE REGION
1 - UNC/Kansas (1957) vs 8 - UNC/Baylor (2022)
4 - UNC/Kentucky (1995) vs 5 - UNC/Oregon (2017)
3 - UNC/Kentucky (2017) vs 6 - UNC/Temple (1991)
2 - UNC/Duke (2022) vs 7 - UNC/Oklahoma (2009)

1-UNC/Kansas (1957) vs 4-UNC/Kentucky (1995)
2-UNC/Duke (2022) vs 3-UNC/Kentucky (2017)

1-UNC/Kansas (1957) vs 2-UNC/Duke (2022)

WILLIAMS REGION
1 - UNC/Illinois (2005) vs 8 - UNC/Purdue (1977)
4 - UNC/UNLV (1977) vs 5 - UNC/Stanford (2000)
3 - UNC/Davidson (1969) vs 6 - UNC/Notre Dame (1977)
2 - UNC/Gonzaga (2017) vs 7 - UNC/Loyola Marymount (1988)

1-UNC/Illinois (2005) vs 5-UNC/Stanford (2000)
2-UNC/Gonzaga (2017) vs 3-UNC/Davidson (1969)

1-UNC/Illinois (2005) vs 2-UNC/Gonzaga (2017)

SMITH REGION
1 - UNC/Michigan (1993) vs 8 - UNC/James Madison (1982)
4 - UNC/Virginia (1981) vs 5 - UNC/Tulsa (2000)
3 - UNC/Houston (1982) vs 6 - UNC/Villanova (2005)
2 - UNC/Michigan State (2009) vs 7 - UNC/Charlotte (1998)

1-UNC/Michigan (1993) vs 4-UNC/Virginia (1981)
2-UNC/Michigan State (2009) vs 3-UNC/Houston (1982)

1-UNC/Michigan (1993) vs 2-UNC/Michigan State (2009)

Down to the Elite 8. Up to this point, the matchups have been fairly easy. Of all the great tournament games in Carolina history, some are just so iconic that it is nearly impossible to top them. However, we've arrived to a point where now we have to pick between those legendary games. This will be difficult.

The Jordan Region final features that 1982 UNC/Georgetown game up against 1957's UNC/Michigan State. The 1982 game takes this one in a rather easy fashion, but that win over the Spartans in '57 is still one of the most unsung games in Carolina lore.

Over in the McGuire region, we have the game that took place the day after the Michigan State game in 1957 -- UNC/Kansas. They go up against UNC/Duke in 2022. Wow! A power packed matchup that is almost unfair to choose. How can you not go with UNC/Duke? It was the lone game in the sport's biggest rivalry and the Heels win ended Mike Krzyzewski's career. But ... I gotta go with the 1957 title game. As great as important as UNC/Duke was, that win over Kansas -- rivalry aside -- was so much bigger and better. Again, the Heels went to triple overtime to beat Michigan State on Saturday and then had to go to triple overtime to beat Kansas on Sunday. How unreal is that? Add in the fact that the Heels beat Kansas in Kansas City ... oh, and beating the best player of that generation, Wilt Chamberlain, in that game. Without that win, who knows what North Carolina basketball would become? I know it is a matchup of eras, but 1957 wins this one.

Whew. Now in the Williams Region, we get a battle of two champions. The 2005 game against Illinois vs the 2017 game against Gonzaga. There are parallels and differences between the two. UNC/Illinois team was filled with elite talent that got off to a rough start at Chapel Hill and were in the middle of one of the turning points in Carolina history. The UNC/Gonzaga game featured a more scrappy bunch of guys who weren't headed for NBA stardom but were as cohesive a unit in Carolina history. Both were redemption teams of sorts, as UNC/Illinois was digging out from the disastrous 2002 season and putting the Tar Heels back at the top of the college hoops world. UNC/Gonzaga was literally redemption, as much of the team came back who watched Villanova's Kris Jenkins' buzzer beater rip their hearts out of the 2016 championship game. I'm going with 2005. That game saw the Heels dominating for much of the contest before Illinois made a furious comeback to tie it late. Big play by Marvin Williams and free throws from Raymond Felton gave UNC their first title since 1993, gave Roy Williams his first title, and really set the stage for arguably the greatest stretch of Carolina basketball success.

Finally, the Smith Region. This one is easy. The UNC/Michigan State game in 2009 was a coronation of sorts. This team was determined to avenge that horrible 2008 Final Four loss to Kansas. They blew through the tournament with so much star power that this was the most dominant tournament run in Carolina history. But this is about the game as much as the team, and the 1993 had some of those same narratives. This UNC team was two years removed from the 1991 team that lost to Roy Williams and Kansas in the Final Four (and robbed us of a UNC-Duke championship game). While not so much the star power of 2009, this was an extremely sound Carolina team that could do anything. The largely upperclassmen Tar Heels went up against the Fab Five Michigan Wolverines who they lost to in Hawaii earlier in the season. This is my favorite championship game to rewatch, as both Michigan and Carolina traded punches and runs. Seeing Eric Montross and Chris Webber battle it out, while Dean Smith's system went up against the pure talent of the Fab Five. Big shots from Donald Williams and a huge mistake by Webber gave the Heels Dean Smith's second and final championship.

So there you have it. Our Final Four is:

UNC/Georgetown (1982) vs UNC/Kansas (1957)
UNC/Illinois (2005) vs UNC/Michigan (1993)

Four championship games and all iconic in their own right.

.

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Sportz' NCAA Tournament Recap - Elite 8

Just a quick recap of what I saw in my Sportz Room -- filled with TVs that I can watch all games going on at the same time.

GAME OF THE DAY: San Diego State vs Creighton. A great, physical game that ended with a tough foul (it was a foul and they should have called it). The range of emotions over the final minutes was thrilling (botched inbounds passes, big shots, clutch plays, free throws with the game on the line) with the Aztecs pulling out the win.

UPSET OF THE DAY: Florida Atlantic vs Kansas State. Seeding wise, it certainly was an upset. The Florida Atlantic Owls become the 10th school in the last 10 tournaments to reach the Final Four as a 7th seed or worse. K State took a seven point lead midway through the second half before FAU turned it on and took the lead. The Owls hang on to dismiss the Wildcats, continuing Kansas State's record 8th straight loss in the Elite 8.

CONFERENCE OF THE DAY: ACC. The Atlantic Coast Conference has been maligned all season long (they finished 7th in whatever metrics) yet here they are back in the Final Four. Miami defeated the Midwest's No. 1 seed (Houston), No. 2 seed (Texas) and No. 4 seed (Indiana) to get into the Final Four. The ACC has had three schools in the Final Four over the last two years -- the other power six conference have combined for three -- and this is the 8th ACC team to reach the Final Four over the last eight tournaments. No, the ACC hasn't had those crushingly power teams like they did back in 2019 when they had three No. 1 seeds, but this conference comes through when it counts.

CONFERENCE WITH A BAD DAY: Big 12. The Big 12 had the two favorites on either side of the bracket coming into this weekend and both loss heartbreaking games. Kansas State just couldn't hold off Florida Atlantic and failed to get off a possible game-tying shot at the end. Meanwhile, Texas blew a 13-point lead and struggled to score at the end of their 88-81 loss to Miami. The Big 12 had a good tournament, but they won't threepeat as national champions.

DUD OF THE DAY: UConn vs Gonzaga. Of the four games this weekend, the UConn-Gonzaga game looked to be the best of the Elite 8. UConn has dominated their first three games while Gonzaga has fought off tough TCU and UCLA squads behind Drew Timme's brilliant play. It was all set up for a great game that never happened. UConn jumped all over the Zags from the start and won by 28 points. Ehhhhh.

DOMINANT PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY: UConn vs Gonzaga. Dude, the Huskies rolled the Zags ... just like they've done to everyone else so far. They are giving me that Villanova in 2018 vibes.

UNDERLYING STORYLINE OF THE DAY: New bloods. I've said this in earlier postings, but the one year after we get the bluest of blue blood Final Fours, we get one that sees three schools making their first Final Four appearance. The ACC and Big East are used to sending teams to the tournament's final weekend, but Conference USA and the Mountain West will be represented as well. That's why we love this tournament and despite your buddy who says the Final Four lacks name recognition, it should be really, really fun. Unless you are a hated rival of any of those schools, you should have no problem just enjoying the way the defensively tough San Diego, the slingin' offense of FAU, the great guards of Miami, or the historically dominant UConn will play on Saturday.

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Sportz' NCAA Tournament Recap - Sweet 16, Day 2

Just a quick recap of what I saw in my Sportz Room -- filled with TVs that I can watch all games going on at the same time.

GAME OF THE DAY: San Diego State vs Alabama. This was a bit of a back and forth contest with the Aztecs finally grabbing control of the game late and knocking out the tournament's top seed. Alabama didn't play like their typical selves, and Brandon Miller shot a horrific 3-of-19 in what will likely be his final college game.

UPSET OF THE DAY: San Diego State vs Alabama. All these upsets happening all over the tournament made it seem like Alabama would cruise to their first ever Final Four and a great look at a national championship. San Diego State becomes the first Mountain West team to reach an Elite 8 and Alabama season comes to an abrupt end.

CONFERENCE OF THE DAY: Big 12. Texas' win over Xavier gives the Big 12 two of the final eight teams left in the field, and both of those teams are the top seeds in their side of the bracket. Texas is the lone No. 2 seed remaining while Kansas State is the lone No. 3.

CONFERENCE WITH A BAD DAY: SEC. Like the Big Ten yesterday, the SEC is a conference that got a lot of bids to the Big Dance yet none will be around for the regional finals. The SEC hasn't won a national championship since 2012 and Alabama, their regular season and conference tournament champions, blew a golden opportunity to make program history.

DUD OF THE DAY: Texas vs Xavier. Texas jumped all over Xavier and never let up. What looked to be the Friday version of the other 2-3 game of the weekend, Gonzaga-UCLA, this one never materialized. Not only did Texas roll in this one, but Xavier lost their cool a couple of times during the game.

DOMINANT PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY: Miami vs Houston. Yeah, Texas was pretty dominant, but their opponent has been know to be a pushover if they get cold from three. Miami took it to a physical Houston team and dominated in the second half. This is the second straight season that Miami has reached the Elite 8.

UNDERLYING STORYLINE OF THE DAY: Down go the top seeds. This will be the first Elite 8 that will have no No. 1 seeds. Amazing. In fact, Texas is the lone No. 2 seed remaining. To add to this, all four schools that won today are looking for their first national championship. Three of the winners have never even reached a Final Four. And two are making their first appearance in the Elite 8. Add in Kansas State, Gonzaga and Florida Atlantic and UConn is the lone member of the Elite 8 to have previously won a national championship. This weekend should be fun!

Friday, March 24, 2023

A Tournament of North Carolina's Tournament Wins (Sweet 16 - Williams and Smith Regions)

Sportz' NCAA Tournament Recap - Sweet 16, Day 1

Just a quick recap of what I saw in my Sportz Room -- filled with TVs that I can watch all games going on at the same time.

GAME OF THE DAY: Gonzaga vs UCLA. What a game! The two start the game just throwing haymakers and it looked like both teams would hit 100 points. The game called down, but UCLA took a 13 point lead at the half. Gonzaga chipped away and took their own 10 point lead with over two minutes left. But UCLA made play after play and took a one point lead with :12 remaining. Julian Stawther comes down and hits a logo three to take the lead for good. Drew Timme scores 36 points. Jaime Jaquez pours in 29. Just an epic game.

UPSET OF THE DAY: Florida Atlantic vs Tennessee. Tennessee had a great weekend in Orlando last week, but FAU went on an 18-2 run in the second half to take control of the Vols. Florida Atlantic has had a fantastic season, and winning their first ever tournament game was quite a feat last week. Now they are one win over Kansas State from reaching the Final Four.

CONFERENCE OF THE DAY: Conference USA. Shout out to the little guys. Conference USA got just one team into the tournament and that team, FAU, will be in the Elite 8. Of course, FAU will move to the American Athletic Conference this summer, but this is still a great moment for CUSA. The last time a Conference USA team made it to the Elite 8 was John Calipari's Memphis Tigers in 2008. That team, led by Derrick Rose, lost in the title game. By the way, fellow CUSA members North Texas and UAB are in the final four of the NIT, and Charlotte won the CBI.

CONFERENCE WITH A BAD DAY: Big Ten. And so ends the Big Ten's quest to win their first national championship since the Flintstones of Michigan State in 2000. That's 23 years and 138 bids without getting it done. The SEC had a rough one with two teams losing (Tennessee getting upset and Arkansas blown away) but at least they still have favorite Alabama alive tomorrow. The Big Ten disappoints us yet again.

DUD OF THE DAY: UConn vs Arkansas. There were a lot of people who were impressed by Arkansas after last week, but they didn't look like they belonged in the same gym as UConn.

DOMINANT PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY: UConn vs Arkansas. We had such high hopes for an Arkansas team that has two likely lottery picks and who just toppled the defending champions. UConn jumped them and just didn't let up. UConn looks like a team that can win this whole thing.

UNDERLYING STORYLINE OF THE DAY: Markquis Nowell. This was a legendary performance. Nowell, who was hobbling most of the game, did everything for the Kansas State Wildcats. He set an NCAA tournament and school record 19 assists! He had five steals, including one on Michigan State's final possession. He even fake fought with his coach just to dupe Michigan State into falling asleep and getting back door alley-ooped. He's a bad boy right there!

Thursday, March 23, 2023

A Tournament of North Carolina's Tournament Wins (Sweet 16 - Jordan and McGuire Regions)

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

The World Baseball Classic's Final Out Just Proved My Proposal Should Be Looked At

Did you watch the World Baseball Classic championship game? Japan is up 3-2, two outs in the top of the 9th and Shohei Othani is on the mound against Mike Trout. Arguably the two best players in the world, facing off with a championship on the line. That's what we all craved.

So why don't we do this more often?

I've always said that one of my "it will never happen but here is a rule change I'd love to see" proposals is to create exactly what just happened. With the game on the line, why not have your best hitter at the plate?

To take a step back, baseball has always been about the lineup and whomever happens to be up in the lineup is at the plate for big plate appearances. It has been like that for nearly 160 years. That very situation could happen in the World Series and the number nine hitter just happens to be due to hit.

The other sports don't act like this. In the NFL, the best player on the team -- typically the quarterback -- has the ball in his hands to make the comeback happen. Hell, the NFL keeps changing overtime rules to make this happen. We want Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow or Josh Allen to have the ball in their hands for a final drive. When Allen didn't get a chance to get the ball in overtime in the Chiefs-Bills playoff game in 2022, the NFL changed the rule so both teams get a chance. In this past Super Bowl, everyone was disappointed that Jalen Hurts didn't get a chance for a final drive.

In the NBA, who has the ball in their hands for those game winning shots? Yes, their clutch guy. Their star. We live for that. We wanted Michael Jordan, down one, to have the ball in his hands to make a play. We want LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Ja Morant, Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, etc to have the ball in their hands with the game on the line for the game winning shot.

Not baseball. You get whoever happens to be up next, or he is replaced by a pinch hitter than never plays. Baseball rarely has the best hitter happen to be up with the "game winning shot" is on the line, so we all understand just just how awesome Othani vs Trout really was. So why not allow this to happen. So what is my rule?

Allow for a team to be able to switch two players in the batting order ONCE every game.

How does that work? Well, at any point in a game ... but just once ... a manager can do a switch where he can take anybody in their lineup and have them replace the hitter due to the plate, and that scheduled hitter then moves to that other player's spot in the lineup. Sort of a pinch hitter, but using someone already playing.

I love that.

Imagine the Yankees have two guys in scoring position and Jose Trevino is due up to hit. Manager Aaron Boone walks out to the home plate umpire and decides that he wants Aaron Judge to hit in this situation. Trevino then moves to Judge's old spot in the lineup and Judge comes up to hit.

I love it. Who wouldn't want their best player to be there for the key moment in the game. Again, you can only do it once so there is some strategy to it; for example, do you really use it to put Judge up there because they could walk him with an open base? If you do put Judge up, does the other team counter with a pitching change? Does that then become a play to try to force a pitching change?

When I first proposed this about five to ten years ago, there was no way I thought it could be a thing. It is too big of a change that baseball won't even think about doing. But we are in a new era and baseball now has pitch clocks, limits throws to first and certain timeouts, universal DH, everyone plays everyone and larger bases. Thirty years ago, interleague play was one of the biggest changes baseball has ever implemented and deemed sacrilege at the time ... and now we've gone all in where everyone will play everyone for the first time ever. So now I think this lineup move wouldn't be just shooed away by 99% of people like it was the first time I said it. All of those changes baseball has made recently is to kill the dead time and to make baseball a more exciting, action-packed product.

In a sport that has changed where starters go into the 5th inning and we parade specialized relivers for each following inning, why not allow your best hitter to come to the plate in the biggest moments? This move would add more excitement throughout the season and especially the postseason.

I know, I know, there have been those Francisco Cabrera moments where the no-name comes up with the timely hit that wins the game and makes a lasting memory. Those moments don't necessarily go away. They will still happen. But the moments where the best hitters are making big moments will also make clutch moments go way up. Isn't that what we want?