March 28th and 30th, 2008 – Round of 16 – Detroit, MI

Detroit is a great place to host a tournament. Several of our group have grown up around Detroit and knew all the spots, so this may have been a plus. There are several pubs and bars within walking distance of Ford Field, making the pre game toast an easy thing to organize. We did not have to partake a hotel this year, being in our own back yards. Off day activities included rolling at the local alley, paired with several rounds of the High Life, displaying our bad jumpers, and having coach Victor run us through some sets (with Sam supposedly dominating in the post, although this can be debated). A quality meal was had, along with a quality game (of all things) Risk. Overall it was a good site, and a good time had by all.

Onto the games:

Game 1 – #3 Wisconsin vs #10 Davidson

Coming into this first sweet 16 game, many figured Davidson’s magical run would come to a grinding hault. Davidson had already knocked off two lower seeds Gonzaga (82-76) and then mighty Hibbs and Georgetown 74-70. Nobody gave Davidson a shot. Stephon Curry had shot his team into the sweet 16, and this was as far as they were to come. Wisconsin was too physical. They were too big. Too Experienced. Dar. Not even the refs could help old bucky and all their fans realize an illegitimate elite 8 birth, as the tourney trip bore witness to the greatest performance to date. Curry outscored the entire Wisconsin squad in the second half, launching Davidson further into tourney lore, and launching Wisconsin fans back to stupid cow pastures and old buggys. Never to be forgotten is the tune of Sweet Caroline carrying through out the building, Bo Ryan stamping up and down with his hands on his hips and Stephon Curry stroked sweet J after sweet J. An amazing game to be at. Davidson 73 – Wisconsin 56.

Game 2 – #1 Kansas vs #12 Villanova

This game was horrible. In no way shape or form was it about to meet the game above that preceded it. Kansas came out early and ended any hope for Villanova. Everytime the Wildcats would cut it to 9 or 10, Kansas would go on a run and squash the hope of the Villanova faithful. Kansas was just too good, too athletic, and Villanova did not have the horses, or even a horse (paging Curry) to get the job done. Kansas 72 – Villanova 57.

Game 3 – #1 Kansas vs #10 Davidson

A true David(son) vs Goliath match-up. The results of this game were debated heavily for the two days leading up to the game. On one hand you have the blue blood basketball pro training school that is Kansas with their super jesus mode coach. On the other hand you have what seemingly had been the messiah himself Stephon Curry, a gritty PG in Jason Richards, and an undersized physically, but over-sized mentally (thats heart) Andrew Lovedale. Could they match Kansas? Anything was possible at this point. The game stayed close through the first half, with Davidson realizing a few leads, and Kansas coming back to square things away. Davidson down a hoop at the half. Curry was being molested the entire half, and this would continue for the rest of the game. Things seemed out of touch as Curry was off, and none of the other Wildcat players were stepping up. With about a minute left in the game Curry sticks a 3 pointer to bring them within two. Davidson got the ball back with one last shot and Kansas did what it had to do to ensure Curry wouldn’t shoot it. The game ended with an off balance and off mark whole hearted 3 point shot from Richards that went wide left. Game over. Kansas 59 – Davidson 57.

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