LAS VEGAS The Vatican hasn't returned our call for confirmation theyre kind of busy on weekends but were fairly sure this kind of event takes place about as often as a holy man turns water into wine. The last time something such as this happened may have come shortly after a giant meteor struck Earth, killed all the dinosaurs and left nothing but neophyte basketball players running around. San Diego States mens basketball team yesterday defeated UNLV 55-45 to win the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament. San Diego States womens basketball team yesterday defeated Utah 70-60 to win the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament. Certainly, to find a better day to be an Aztec, youd have to go back to their carefree pre-Hernando Cortez existence. So, turn off your bubble machines, bracketologists. No bubbles, no concerns. The Aztecs are going to the NCAA Basketball Tournament. The men are going. The women are going. Try swallowing all that without a decanter of vino. Going into the finals, the men, now 25-8, were considered by many members of the bracketology cult to be a lock after their thrilling semifinal win over eighth-ranked New Mexico. But those locks have been known to be picked by the NCAA Selection Committee, which has difficulty seeing over and around the BCS conferences. Coach Steve Fisher knows locksmiths are plentiful. The women, on the other hand, didnt even have a breath of assurance. Coach Beth Burns flatly stated they werent going on unless they got the automatic bid that comes with winning the conference tournament. No worries now. Theyre going somewhere this week; its a matter of where and against whom. Were so happy for Beth and her team, Fisher said. We got here, there was about three minutes to go, and we were in the locker room. Im getting ready to do the normal routine. We have a TV in there. And I said, Anybody want to go out and watch the finish of this game? It had just gone to overtime. So they all ran out to be a part of it. I think that says something about the feeling we have for one another, and the pride we have in one another. Nobody deserves it better than Beth Burns and her team. And we are proud to be there with them. If nothing else, yesterdays mens game was a Yugo compared to the New Mexico Ferrari. SDSU missed its first seven shots, the Rebels their first five. The first score didnt come until States Kelvin Davis dunked on a breakaway with 15:50 remaining in the first half. At the 16-minute mark, I looked at the scoreboard, saw it was zero-zero and told (assistant coach) Mark Fisher, my son, First team that scores wins, Fisher said. Mark said, Dont say that; they have the ball. It was not lovely basketball. The Aztecs turned it over 18 times against the frantic, scrambling UNLV defense. The Rebels played as if they knew they didnt match up worth a damn with State, and it proved out at the end, when the Aztecs awakened and sensational freshman forward Kawhi Leonard (21 rebounds) hit six straight free throws down the stretch to ice it. I thought they dictated, really, throughout especially late, UNLV coach Lon Kruger would say. The guys fought. San Diego State did things better than we did. Leonard has an air about him that youre looking for in a young athlete. Very confident. Finishes. Makes big plays. Went to the line today, made all his free throws. You know, he just delivers. Guess so. Leonard, the tournaments MVP the first freshman so honored isnt normal. Nor is point guard D.J. Gay, who played 40 minutes in each of States first two tournament wins and all but 1:17 of yesterdays 40. It was a shock when Fisher gave him a rest. I was actually surprised, Gay said. But, you know, it was something that was well-needed. Since the game started, my body could feel the energy loss that I had the first couple of games. Meanwhile, the road for the women was much bumpier. Picked to win the conference outright prior to the season, Burns kids just didnt seem to have the proper chemistry for a long time. But theyre 21-10 now, winners of six straight, and going somewhere, a fitting conclusion to the careers of senior guards Quenese Davis (22 points, six assists, tournament MVP) and Jen Morris (21 points, six assists). Weve had a lot of growth, Burns said. We had great senior leadership that really helped us raise the whole team to understand the sense of urgency and focus thats needed when we all do something together. Together. States men and women. Champions of the Mountain West. Ticket punched to the NCAAs on the same day. Go figure. You know, well, you think its going to happen every year, Fisher said. I told our freshmen, I hope your parents dont think its automatic, that its going to happen all the time. At San Diego State? Whens the next War of the Roses? -Canepa http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/mar/14/aztecs-mens-womens-titles-two-for-the-ages/ Congrats to the Men's and Women's teams of San Diego State. Yesterday was an awesome day to be an Aztec. Let's start dancing! Tennessee is going down.
I don't think there's a clear winner this year like there has been in the past. I've been saying Syracuse for a while, but after this past week, I don't think it's them. Duke has had their share of close games, as well as Kentucky and Kansas. This year, it's anyone's tournament.
There's always a Cinderella team...I have no idea who it will be...Ive been following Ohio St, Kentucky and Syracuse...It wouldn't bother me to see Evan Turner and Ohio St win it all...But I think Kansas is the better team...even though Wall and Cousins of Kentucky will be fun to watch also
