March Madness Q & A for 49ways

If 49ways is going to ask me 10 questions in preparation for the Dance, I’m going to ask him 10 questions too.  Here we go.

1.  You played college basketball at the NAIA level.  What would it have meant to you to play in the NCAA Tournament?

Wow.  It would have meant everything!  My father played in this thing!  It would have been a dream come true, but as a short shooting guard, our dreams don’t always come true.

2.  A current Auburn player has been accused of possible point-shaving.  What should be the penalty for a such a crime?

Varez Ward (yes, the former Texas guard) should be banned from any form of organized basketball in the United States.  This is abominable.  I can’t believe players are still trying this.  My guess is the school gets a scholarship or two taken away, and/or a post-season ban for two or three years.

3.  How much emphasis do you think the NCAA selection committee should place on conference tournament results in deciding inclusion into the NCAA Tournament?

I think they should place a lot of emphasis on them.  The conference tournaments are the bubble teams’ last chance to make a statement.  Northwestern just blew theirs.

4.  What do you make of the Player of the Year race between Kansas’ Thomas Robinson and Kentucky’s Anthony Davis?

Both players are special.  I really don’t think any other player should be in consideration (even though I’ve heard Zeller and Green are in the mix).  I give the nod to Davis because the guy absolutely controls one end of the floor.  I love watching this guy play!

5.  What is your most memorable NCAA Tournament and why?

My most memorable tournament was in 2004 when Georgia Tech made it to the title game against UConn.  I knew Tech had a shot because they had beaten the Huskies earlier in the year.  They also won at Cameron Indoor Stadium.  That Tech team was so fun to watch.  They had about six guys who could go off for 2o points on any given night.  Man I miss those days….

6.  Is a mid-major like VCU or George Mason making the Final Four a good thing or a bad thing?

No doubt a wonderful thing!  This is what makes college basketball the best sport in the world.  I love seeing the smaller schools making deep runs.  This is going to sound cheesy, but I relate my life to all the upsets we’ve witnessed over the years – challenge yourself, and rise to the occasion.  Fight to get where you want to be.  In the words of the great Jim Valvano, “Don’t give up.  Don’t ever give up.”

7.  What NCAA tournament game will you never forget?

This game sickens me still, but Kansas-Memphis 2008.  I remember Sawdog texted me with 2:30 left saying, “this is looking good for Memphis.”  And then Memphis couldn’t make a free throw.  You know the rest.

A close second is VCU’s win over Duke in 2007.  Eric Maynor against Greg Paulus was hilarious!

8.  Can you remember watching an NCAA Tournament game and thinking “this guy is coaching his ass off!!” ?  Is there a memorable coaching effort that stands out?

Great question.  Unfortunately, I can’t think of a time when I was impressed with a coach’s effort.  But I will never forget seeing Tom Brennan’s happy expressions when his Vermont Catamounts upset powerhouse Syracuse in 2005.  What a fitting end to a long coaching career!

9.  How close is Georgia Tech to recovering from this swoon and getting back to the NCAA Tournament?

In short, I’d say they are a long ways away.  But when you’re down, it can only get better, right?  Coach Brian Gregory has already signed two Top 100 players and a third who is #15 in the state of Georgia!  And it’ll be nice to have Alexander Memorial completed so they have one true home court.

10.  What’s the perfect setting watching the national championship game?

Hmmm.  Gotta go back to 2005!  Nothing like watching my favorite sport in the MGM Sportsbook with my best friends in my favorite city!  Vegas baby!