By Whitney Spencer
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Well, not what you think but it’s what some consider the best month of the year. It is once again time for March Madness. Now, I could do my best to breakdown the tournament and the last four in and last four out, but the fact is all we really care about are our Cardinals.
So with that said, I am one of many who can say that the University of Louisville basketball programs are having an all around phenomenal season. Both the women and men are projected top seeds in their conference tournaments and expected to run deep in the NCAA Tournament. So, what’s all the madness about?
With an early season upset in the Nugget Classic Championship by Nevada, some were ready to count the women’s basketball team out; everyone except the team. They never looked back winning their next 14 games. Finishing the regular season with only three losses, who can deny that these ladies have game? No one can and no one dares, as they are the second seed in the Big East tournament with a double bye into the third round.
This year’s go-to player; well it’s still Angel McCoughtry. How could it not be? She’s fresh off being named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division I National Player of the Month for the second time along with earning first team All-Big East honors. Did I mention winning Big East Defensive Player of the year honors? McCoughtry is a force to be reckoned with because she can do it all. You can be sure she’ll do it all as she counts down the finals games of her college career.
The madness continues on the other side with the men. After a few early season stumbles, all of the analysts were ready to count the Cards out. The month of January turned all of that around. Finishing January with an undefeated record, the Cardinals were back in the hunt to be a contender. With the Big East tournament beginning today and the Cards having a double bye, they could certainly end up vying for the Big East championship.
Who will be the one to keep this motor running? The one and only Terrence Williams with an assist from Earl Clark. ESPN writer Pat Forde calls Williams “the most versatile player in the country.” With his shut-down defense and prolific offense, Williams can and will do it all for the Cards in the post season. Clark, who is sure to go for a push in his NBA stock, will be most effective to the Cards if he plays his game. If he posts up or drives to the hoop, he will be almost impossible to stop.
So while the regular season provided much excitement, March is only in its beginning stages. Just remember, last year the women went to the Sweet 16 only to be defeated by North Carolina, while the Tar Heels stopped the men in the elite eight. If given the opportunity again this year, the outcome could be far from what it was. Both of these teams could add a bit more madness to this March. Besides, we Cardinal fans can’t complain. Our foes from Lexington are feeling a bit atrocious. If Kentucky doesn’t win the SEC tournament, they’ll be forced to decide whether they can hold their nose and accept their first NIT bid since 1979. Now that’s March Madness.
