March 19, 2012
By Ceci Ferrari
Sports Insider
If this year’s NCAA tournament has taught us anything, it’s that seeding means nothing. When the Duke Blue Devils took the court on Friday night, it looked like it would be an easy win. After all, they were facing the No. 15 seeded Lehigh, who had been to the Big Dance just four times in the past 27 years. They had also lost in the first round in their last appearance in 2010.
But the fact that Duke was a No. 2 seed or that they were heavily favored didn’t matter once the game started. All that mattered was what happened during the next 40 minutes – and Lehigh shined. Led by junior shooting guard C.J. McCollum, the Mountain Hawks trumped the Blue Devils 75-70 to advance to the third round for the first time in school history.
The win stunned many on Friday night and was building towards a Cinderella story for the Pennsylvania school, if they could beat Xavier University on Sunday night. Unfortunately, their ride was short and sweet, as they were unable to pull another upset against the No. 10 seed. While the Mountain Hawks were able to pull within four with 49 seconds left, Xavier pulled away, making it 70-58 at the final buzzer. They now join Ohio, Cincinnati and Ohio State in the Sweet 16, marking the first time any state will be represented four times.
While the Duke loss may have been the biggest upset, it wasn’t the only one. Earlier on Friday night, another 15-seeded school beat a No. 2. Norfolk State outlasted Missouri, 86-84 in their first ever NCAA tournament appearance. Unfortunately, like Lehigh, their ride was short-lived as they were crushed by the University of Florida 84-50 in the second round.
Although many brackets are busted – some of the favorites still remain – including all four No. 1 seeds: Kentucky, Syracuse, Michigan State and UNC. While Kentucky is the heavy favorite to win it all, they face a tough opponent in the resurgent Indiana Hoosiers. Besides, seeding means nothing, remember?
Both local teams – VCU and Georgetown – lost in the second round over the weekend. While the men may be out of it, both the Hoyas and Terrapins are still alive in the NCAA Women’s Tournament.
Peyton Manning
The biggest free agency frenzy since LeBron James has come to an end. This time there were no ESPN special, no lights or cameras as the decision was made public: Peyton Manning will be bringing his talents to the Mile High City.
Denver was a surprise option for the quarterback, as the position seemed to be filled by fan favorite Tim Tebow. Tebow led the Broncos to seven wins in eleven starts, including six straight and a playoff game last season. He seemed to be gaining the approval of John Elway, the Broncos’ VP of Operations and Hall of Fame QB who spent his entire career in Denver.
Apparently not.
The Broncos rallied hard for Manning and soon emerged as the front runner for No. 18. In recent days, the Titans and 49ers also became strong contenders – after Manning had shortened his list by eliminating both the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. But the appeal of Denver never seemed to fade, and earlier today ESPN broke the news that the veteran QB had chosen the Broncos.
It’s an interesting move for the quarterback many experts said should choose a warm climate due to his fragile physical condition. He now faces playing in snow as well as colder temperatures and across the country away from his home. He does, however, remain in the AFC and finds himself in the easiest division – the West. The Broncos won that division with just eight wins last season, the only team in the entire league to do so.
Manning’s contract is reported to be worth $95 million over 5 years, $5 million more than the Colts were offering him before his surgeries last summer. While there is no doubt that a healthy Peyton Manning is worth that much – or more – his questionable health casts doubt on whether he can be that effective for that long. With the Broncos set to trade Tebow, let’s hope they have bet on the right horse.
