Madness is in the air

Opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament kicked off in dramatic fashion Thursday.  Louisville's fourth place seeding was the talk of the week heading into the tournament.  The Manhattan Jaspers were the last team Rick Pitino and company wanted to see in the opening round.  Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello, spent six years on Pitino's coaching staff.  These two teams have a familiarity with one another rarely seen in a first round NCAA Tournament match-up.

From the on-set it was apparent Louisville had their hands full.  Manhattan took Louisville's best shot in the first half, trailing by a slim 35-29 margin during intermission.  The second half exemplifies what March Madness is all about. The two teams traded blows for the first 10 minutes of the second half. Louisville failed to put a strangle hold on the Jaspers.  Manhattan scratched and clawed their way to a five point lead late in the second half.  That's when Louisville's championship swagger came into play.  Queens native Russ Smith, connected on a three to tie the game at 58.  Luke Hancock, connected on two three's that stretched Louisville's lead to 68-62, a margin the Jaspers would not overcome. 

This was a particularly tough game for both coaches to partake in.  Not only was Masiello one of Pitino's assistants, he was also a ball-boy for the championship coach during his tenure with the New York Knicks.  Their relationship is similar to a father and son.

A game like this can prove to be Louisville's spring board towards another NCAA Championship.  It can also be the blue print to defeat Louisville this year.
Louisville and Manhattan gave NCAA fans a first round match-up for the ages.
By the way I have Louisville advancing to the Final Four.  Russ Smith has a great shot winning at tournament MVP.