http://www.tourneytrip.com/sites/2010-buffalo-ny/

Or, click on the spot in the right hand column where we had a giant picture of buffalo wings for the past year.

1. Syracuse vs 16. Vermont – Personally, this is a cool game. I have never seen Syracuse, and really enjoy their hoops team. On the other hand, Vermont lives in the hearts of the underdogs, after the Catamounts knocked off the Orangemen in 2005, a very classic upset. Does this mean it will happen this year as well? Hell no. The fabled 16 seed over a 1 seed will probably never happen. However, there are a few things to take note of this year:

1. Syracuse is on a two game losing streak
2. The rock of their front court, Arinze Onuaku, is hurt, and may not play.
3. Sibling rivalry’s never die. Kris Joseph of the ‘Cuse will face off against Maurice Joseph of Vermont. This is the same Marucie Joseph who transfered from Michigan State a few years ago. He’s a senior now. This could be his last game. I will root for him as a former Spartan.

So, yeah. I’ll say right now that I won’t get my hopes up. I’m sure that won’t be the case when this thing tips off on Friday.

8. Gonzaga vs 9. Florida State – I’ve seen both teams play, but fellow trip members have not. Gonzaga is classic little guy who’s now a big guy. Florida State seems kind of gangster. I don’t really know much about their team. I’m sure the dog pound from Washington state will roll through pretty hard and make me root for Florida State.

2. West Virginia vs 15. Morgan State – Thuggins. Groan. I hope he decides to put on a goddam suit at least once. I am thinking we should find the team hotel and yell things at him, or something. Da’Sean Butler is my namesake, and has a pretty sweet basketball skillset. Morgan State only lost a single conference game, and beat Arkansas, at Arkansas. Gotta love when you collect a paycheck to make the trip, then slay the home team. I’m calling for Reggie Holmes to drop 30.

7. Clemson vs 10. Missouri – Somehow, someway, I’ve ended up with a Clemson basketball t-shirt in my travels. Can’t tell you how, or why. Missouri is super gangster, and will be rooted against heavily by this trip committee. I will watch the game because it’s a game, and whoever wins will automatically gain my following, should Thuggins knock off Reggie Holmes and company.

The trip starts on Wednesday at 3PM Eastern. I board a plan to Toronto 11:30 PM Pacific. Bring your drinking hats.

More to come.

#4 Gonzaga vs. #13 Akron

Well for the 9th consecutive season the MAC will place only one team into the NCAA tournament. Akron is hoping to end the streak of 5 straight seasons of one and done for the conference as well. It is not going to be easy as they are facing a powerhouse Gonzaga team. The experts in Las Vegas have Gonzaga as an 11.5 point favorite and its hard to argue with that number. As good as Akron played in the MAC tournament they are about to enter a whole new world playing this Gonzaga team. Physically there is nobody Akron can put on the court that can match up with Josh Heytvelt. Tyler Hansborough is still having nightmares about going up against Heytvelt in the preseason NIT at MSG 2 years ago. Akron will have to do a good job denying the entry pass with their smaller front court players because if gets the ball down low its pretty much game over. Even if he misses a few he can play volleyball with the backboard and eventually get it to go.

The McKnights and Nate Linhart are going to have to expend so much energy on defense their offensive game might rely heavily on making jump shots. If that is the case then G Darryl Roberts and G Steve McNees are going to need to be lights out on the perimeter. Both are streaky shooters who are capable of a big day, but neither have ever been in an NCAA tournament game before.

Akron got stronger as they got deeper into the MAC tournament. They are a program that has been hungry for this moment for a long time now, having not been to the big dance since 1986 and getting excruciatingly close the last 2 seasons before finally breaking through this season. As much as I would love for Akron to pull one out and start the MAC resurgence I just can’t see it happening against this Gonzaga team. They have too many weapons and pose big match up problems for the Zips. Gonzaga wins this one, but Akron might have taken a significant step towards becoming a mid major program on the rise just by getting to this point.

My Pick: Gonzaga

2nd Half:
17:13. – Game over. See you on the court.

Pregame – Kenel club is out in full force, and Gonzaga has too many male cheerleaders. Ronny Turiaf hates attention. Tark the shark is sitting courtside in a huge orange Bill Cosby sweater.

18:41 1st – I was just on tv.
15:47 1st – Broncos need the hot shooting. They won’t dominate down low tonight.
11:27 1st – A ref from Spokane just bailed out Santa Clara. Missed Bronco shots = transition hoops for fast athletic teams. Gotta get back.
7:51 – WCC POTY John Bryant earns no respect from Zags fans. He can’t get any touches. SC hanging on with a nice drive and a 3 to bring the score to 25 – 19.
3:57 1st GU 35 – SC 25: 10 points seems about right. Bryant being managed by the Zags. SC band playing DMX is offputting.
Halftime GU 48 / SCU 27: Quite the flurry for Pargo and crew to end the half. SC is outmatched. Doug Christie loves lime green shirts.

15:13 2nd / GU 59 – SC 34: Pargo could have put it away. Pat Riley is now sitting courtside.
11:05 2nd / GU 65 – SC 39: Both teams going through the motions. Ruff Ryder anthem again. Broncos are about to “roll” onto the bus and head home.
7:32 2nd / GU 74 – SC 43: Josh Hyetvelt has a sweet tribal arm band.
3:36 2nd / GU 87 – SC 49: Austin Daye looks like he is 14 years old. 28 points says otherwise.
Final Score: GU 94 – SC 59.’Nuff said