Solochek: At the end of each NCAA tournament, we get to see what made the “One Shining Moment” montage, which combines some of the best moment of the weeks that are March Madness.
This year, March has not been that maddening. Of the 16 teams left in the tournament, all of the No. 1 through No. 3 seeds remain in the tournament. Two out of the four No. 4 seeds will play in the Sweet 16 as well.
With the proverbial clock having already struck midnight on Cinderella, what game or moment would make the 2009 tournament’s “One Shining Moment?”
There is no doubt the best part of the tournament has been No. 13 seed Cleveland State’s upset of No. 4 seed Wake Forest. While there may have been a nine seed difference between the two teams, the Vikings sure did not play like it. They demolished the Demon Deacons 84-69, making them the lowest seed to advance past the first round.
Although Cleveland State’s win over Wake Forest may have busted many brackets, it should not have been that much of a surprise to those who actually looked at the schedule. They finished second in the Horizon League to Butler, which the Vikings defeated to win the Horizon League Tournament championship. They also had a quality win over Syracuse earlier in the season.
With their win over Wake Forest, however, they became the George Mason’s of this tournament for a few days. But, their 71-57 loss to Arizona in the second round ended their brief run.
Despite their early exit, at least for now, Cleveland State will continue to ‘shine’ as this year’s Cinderella.
Braun: Vikings, Shmikings. Like every other year, this NCAA Tournament featured some huge upsets and surprises, and while Cleveland State definitely fits into that category, I wouldn’t dare call the Vikings a Cinderella.
On the other hand, if you look at the team just one seed higher in the same bracket, No. 12 Arizona, there lies your big surprise of the tournament.
The Wildcats were shunned by many going into the big dance, with countless analysts claiming they had no place in the NCAA Tournament — and those critics had a bit of a case.
Near the end of their Pac 10 season, the Wildcats lost five of their last six games, four of which were to teams that received NCAA Tournament bids. That wasn’t exactly the best way for a team on the bubble to build its r?sum?, especially one that plays in a mediocre conference like the Pac 10.
But here the Wildcats are, in the Sweet 16, having dominated two teams including No. 5 seed Utah, which won the Mountain West Conference Tournament in commanding fashion before the NCAA Tournament started.
Moreover, Ben, the Wildcats trumped that “Cinderella” team you dubbed, the Cleveland State Vikings, with seeming ease.
So now, with a third-round match against top seed Louisville, it seems unlikely the Wildcats will be able to continue to turn any more heads. But if they do, they’ll be able to boast about being the real Cinderella of this tournament that hasn’t really had all that many surprises to date.
While Cleveland State’s win over Wake Forest may have ruined my bracket, it doesn’t mean the Vikings have shined as this year’s Cinderella. The team with the real glass slippers is still playing and has a chance to make midnight strike this Friday in Indianapolis.
