Friday, March 4, 2005
Who will pacify this
year's March Madness
While many students very patiently await the arrival of
Spring Break, I have been compelled to deliver much need
ed information for those of you
who are ready to fill out brackets.
This year's NCAA Tournament of
64 (65 if you include the initial
playoff) is chock full of talent and
teams who anticipate the chance
to cut down the nets after winning
the National Championship. I am
not consenting to the decency and
morality of gambling; however, it
is crucial that you concentrate on
my analysis of this year's tourna
ment so that you can fill in the
brackets with the utmost compe
tence
For years, the judgment of
excellence involved with the
brackets has been based on the
quality of the number one seeds.
If there is an intense battle for the
tops spots in each region, then we
know the challenge for suprema
cy is elevated.
For instance, this year, each of
the Top 10 teams has a chance at
gaining a top seed. Illinois,
North Carolina, Kentucky, Wake
Forest Boston College, Kansas
and Oklahoma State are the top
contenders vying for a top seed.
Each team has successfully over
come the top competitors to
maintain admirable records.
Another factor that will be
determined this week is the
strength of each conference. By
far, the toughest conference in
which to excel is the Atlantic
Coast Conference. Teams represented in the Top 25 from
this conference are North Carolina, Wake, and Duke, each of
which is in the Top 10. Bubble Teams including Georgia
Tech and Maryland can pose u threat in this week's confer
ence championship and, perhaps, in the Sweet 16.
Strength of conference has also been an issue for the team
that has upheld the top spot for most of the season. The
Illinois Fighting Illini, led by Deron Williams, Luther Head
and Dee Brown, are off to a 28-0 record (*as of 3/2/05) and
haven't nearly been challenged by a decent opponent, win
ning the majority of their games by over 20 points. The rea
son that strength of schedule is a factor for the Illini is that
only two other Big Ten teams are in the Top 25, Michigan
State and Wisconsin (barely).
Also, history is combating the fate of Illinois. The last
team to preserve perfection in the regular season and win the
National Championship was the Bobby Knight-led Indiana
Hoosier team in 1976 (UNLV came close in 1991 but lost to
Duke in the Final Four).
The aptitude of Bubble Teams also plays a role in deter
mining the value of the tournament. Teams such as
Maryland, Georgia Tech, Miami, Notre Dame, Texas,
Minnesota, DePaul, Marquette, UCLA, Stanford and
Arizona State each, even though ranked outside the top 25,
can do much harm in the tournament if they can succeed in
the conference tournament and maintain a decent RPI
(Rating Percentage Index). Many of these teams have
Swimming star
competes at ECAC's
Freshman swimmer Cyndi Morales had a stand
out year as a varsity athlete. Morales broke
numerous records this year including four indi
vidual team records and three AMCC records in
the 500, 1000, 1650 yard freestyle events.
Morales also made Behrend history becoming the
fast female swimmer to qualify for the ECAC
meet. The meet was held at Trees Pool at the
University of Pittsburgh Feb 24-27. Athletes
competing at the three day meet came from DI,II
and RI schools. Morales swam both the 500 and
1650 yard freestyle. She placed 17th in the 500
yard freestyle and 21st in the 1650.
By Chris LaFuria
sports commentary
Senior forward Joey Graham and the Cowboys will finish up
regular season play against Texas March 5.
Senior Spotli : ht
Behrend Beacon: What are your plans for after graduation'?
Stephen Feder: I plan on getting a job in mechanical engineering.
Marlena McNutt: I plan to either go on to graduate school to study
school psychology or work a year, gain experience then go on to gradu
ate school.
BB: What will you miss most about Behrend?
SF: I will miss all my friends I've made here over the past four years.
MM: The friendly atmosphere here. I am close to my coaches, team
mates, friends and teachers.
BB: What is your favorite memory from your sport?
SF: My favorite memory is placing in the ECAC meet alter having
mono for the majority of the season.
MM: Any race where I know I did my best. I run because of the thrill of
going as fast as you can and hopefully beating someone in the process!
One of my favorite races was the 1600 meter relay last outdoor track sea
son. I ran one of my best times, beat a girl at the line and the team broke
the school record.
BB: What is your funniest/most embarrassing moment?
SF: I can't think of just one, I've had so many good times with the track
team.
MM: Cross Country my freshman year. I thought that the team would
stop to use the restroom like my high school team. They didn't want to
stop. Everyone got mad at me when I made coach stop mid-trip! It has
become a *oke for four ears!
notched losses for the Top 25 teams and there isn't a reason
why the tournament should he any different.
Now it's time for the fun part, picking the winners.
Since the strong competition in the ACC has led to some
powerful teams, there is no reason to doubt that one, if not
two. teams should
make the Final Four.
Just watch North
lv with as much tal
ent as this tourney contains (note. the matchups may he sub
ject to change with the revelation of the actual bracket). The
ACC will he represented by two teams in the Final Four.
Even though having high expectations usually leads to bro
ken hearts and empty wallets. I am sticking to my guns and
number ones and predicting the arrival of North Carolina
and Wake Forest in the Final Four.
The other two teams, rounding out the Four, will he the
Cowboys from Oklahoma State. who have seen time in the
top five this year and arc led by the exceptional point guard
John Lucas and a plethora of scorers, including Joey
Graham and Ivan McFarlin and the surprising Syracuse
Orangemen, who have encountered a downfall recently but,
led by Gerry McNamara, can overcome it.
My choice for this year's National Champion is the Tar
Heels from UNC, not only because I have been handed an
earful by a friend of mine who is an avid Tar Heel, hut also
because of my faith in chemistry. Raymond Felton, Rashad
McCants, Scan May. Jaw ad Williams and Marvin Williams
round out a ~farting five in which each player is averaging
over ten points per game. They gel together better than any
other team and have overcome challenging opponents.
Well, there is an outline for this year's tourney. It will he
exciting to see who will he cutting down the nets after
March Madness is over. I've given you my picks, now it's
up to the players to decide who wants it the most.
r 1
%, r
.....)
POYF
Carolina's chemistry
and big-play-makers
conquer their bracket
and reach the Final
Four.
Picking upsets is
always hard, espe
cially since the
matchups haven't
been delivered.
However, some
teams, due to either
lack of strength or
my seemingly unpar
alleled wisdom, have
a very predictable
fate. Illinois, for
example, has had an
astounding season.
However, due to lack
of a bench and com-
petition, their season
shall fall before the
Sweet 16. Boston
College, possessing
the same traits as
Illinois, shall have
7:
Z the same fate.
In my opinion,
4 as a sports fan, the
7,-7, most exhilarating
experience is
determining the
Final Four, especial-
C - I
Tennis team on winning
streak...
Head to Hilton Head for spring break
matches
On Monday, the men's tennis team took on Westminster College for the first
time. Going into the match, the Lions held a record of 2-1. which was quick
ly humped to 3- I after acing them 9-0.
feel real good 'about our successr said sophomore captain Brian Espin.
"We lost a lot of players and have a y o ung team, hut the freshmen have really
came through and not shown a lot of inexperience.'
Freshmen Miles Bovea and Todd Guarnieri provided an 8-5 win at first dou
bles. Espin and s(iphomorc captain Mau Meyer tallied up a win at second dou
bles, 8-3. Rounding out the doubles wins were freshmen James Myers and
Trevor Dougherty at third doubles, 8-3.
Boyca provided his first singles win of the season with a score of 7-6, 6-4.
Following him were wins by Espin 6-4. 7-6, Guarnieri, 1-6, 6-2, 6-2, Meyer
6-1, 6-3. Myers 6- I. 6- I, and Dougherty 6-0. 6-
"We're 3- I : that's pretty good, - said Myers
matches from what I've been told from the older guys
The blue and white showed its skill as they defeated Waynesburg on
Saturday. a team which has Head Coach Jeff Barger has expressed concern
about in previous seasons. The team walked away with a 7-2 win over the
Yellow Jackets. Once again [spin and Meyer provided a win at second dou
bles winning 8-3, followed by Bovea and Guarnieri at first doubles with an 8-
4 win
Espin tallied up another win at second singles I-6, 6-4, 6-3. Guarnieri pro
vided a win at third 7-5, 6-4, Meyer won at fourth 6-4. 6-4. Myers contributed
a win at fifth 6-4, 6-2 and Dougherty rounded out the singles line-up with a
win at sixth 6-I, 6- I .
"The team is playing well, - said Barger. - Doubles arc starting to come
together well.-
Doubles has always been a main focus point for past teams. With such a
young team this year, doubles will play big role in the team's success as new
players will need to learn how to play together.
"Trcv and me. we're strong in singles. - said Myers. "But we're getting bet
ter at doubles, communicating more and having a good time.''
The team is looking to its trip to Hilton Head over Spring Break as a test of
its strength and weaknesses.
"Our strength lies in the depth of the team, - said Espin
solid all the way through.-
While in Hilton Head, the Lions will play six matches starting March 6
when they will compete with Concordia. The blue and white will also meet
up with Mt. Union which is a team the Lions faced last season along with
Eastern Nazarene.
"We don't really know the teams we are playing so we don't know what to
expect," said Espin. "But we have a lot of confidence going in with the wins
in the past week.-
`We're not going to he asking ourselves 'What if?' We're just going to play-
ing aggressive, - said team manager Ryan Deimel
► t etic teams
or Spring Break competitio
Women's Water Polo
March 11-12 @ Colorado State Invitational
Make sure to check next week's edition of the
Behrend Beacon to find out how the athletic teams
rounded out Spring Break competition and train
ing. Also stay posted for upcoming home games!
NOW LEASING!!!
BUT THEY ARE
GOING FAST
STOP IN BEFORE YOU LEAVE
FOR SPRING BREAK
FULLY FURNISHED APPARTMENTS
*GREAT RATES *Study Lounge
STARTING AT *Fitness Room
*Super Location *Laundry on-site
*Spacious Floor Plans *Across from campus
*Free Cable TV
mermian
on college avenue
The Behrend Beacon I
By Amy Frizzell
managing editor
Mens Baseball
March 6-11 @ Port Lucia, Florida
Women 's Softball
March 6-11 @ Kissimmee, Florida
Mens Tennis
March 8-11 @ Hilton Head
LIVE IT UP
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