04/19/24
March 31, 2021
SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
Are they the first First Four team to get to the Final Four? Hate the school but wow wht an achievement.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:13 AM on March 31, 2021
They are not - VCU under Shaka Smart made it to the Final Four, also as an 11 seed, but those are the only two.
Fun fact: 11 seeds have an all-time .500 record against 1 seeds (4-4). That will obviously alter somehow this weekend.
posted by LionIndex at 11:52 AM on March 31, 2021
Ironically, Shaka just bolted from the banks of the Colorado River for the shore of Lake Michigan.
The University of Texas has become a coach withering specialist in both football and basketball.
They're in good company. UCLA had been in that category (and still is in football) - we'll have to see how Coach Cronin does going forward after this tournament run.
posted by beaverboard at 01:32 PM on March 31, 2021
Got to think Cronin will be around for a while. UCLA typically attracts some pretty decent talent and he has done a marvelous job getting this year's squad to play strong defensively. I do think their run ends next game and they benefited from Michigan missing their best player.
posted by cixelsyd at 02:07 PM on March 31, 2021
I don't know if anyone thought to set up a Bill Walton - Chris Webber grudge gab as a companion to the game. If so, I was mercifully spared the annoyance.
posted by beaverboard at 03:26 PM on March 31, 2021
It's close to being a palindrome:
UCLA beating 11 seed Michigan State to come out of the First Four and beating 1 seed Michigan to go to the Final Four.