The Cleveland Cavaliers have battled their way all the way back up into fourth place, which insures them home court advantage for one round in the playoffs. Nipping at their heels are the steadily improving Washington Wizards, in fifth place. If the Wizards pass the Cavaliers they would be given the first round home court advantage, which may be what the Wizards need to beat the Cavs, being they’ve lost to them the last two seasons. James is averaging 30.4 points a game, and over seven assists, so he is clearly doing his part to keep the team ahead of the Wizards, but the closer you get to the end of the season the more important every game means.

Believe it or not, the 29-44 Chicago Bulls, winners of only 11 road games all year, are still not mathematically out of the playoffs. They are only four games behind the Atlanta Hawks, who currently have the eight spot in the conference. In the Western Conference a 29-44 record would be laughed at, but in the East, it’s a record with a decent chance to make the playoffs. Despite the slim chances, the Chicago Bulls were expecting much more out of their team this year. They brought back a team that was supposed to be getting better, but instead sputtered during the start of the season, and haven’t exactly picked up steam throughout the course of it. A trade for Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes, former Cavs’, seemed to spark life in them temporarily, but they are only 4-6 in their last ten.

The Cavaliers should take this game. They know the importance of home court advantage, and I don’t think James will allow them to lose to the Bulls on their home court.

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A battle of Texas with playoff implications will take place with the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets takes place in Houston. Since Houston won 22 games in a row, the second longest streak in NBA history, they went from out of the playoffs, all the way from first. They have since ended the streak, and fallen out of first place, but they appear to still be heading towards the playoffs. What made most of the streak amazing is that they did it without leading scorer, and center Yao Ming, who went down in the early part of the streak for the year with a stress fracture in his foot. Tracy McGrady has done his best to lead his team without Ming, and as noted has done a wonderful job. He is now even being considered for an MVP trophy. The knock on McGrady is that he couldn’t find ways to win, but for the time being I think he has kicked those rumors in the behind. Since the streak the Rockets have played about .500 basketball, which concerns fans. Even though they are in the playoffs now, if they have one bad streak they could be on the outside looking in. They are still without a major inside presence, and that could wear them out as the season comes to a close.

The San Antonio Spurs are still considered the team to beat, until that can be proved otherwise. Most people are already fully secured on the bandwagon of the Lakers and Celtics, but the Spurs are the defending champions, and they are bringing back virtually the same exact team when they get to the playoffs. They have withstood injured to all of their major players, Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan, and some point, and they are still fighting for home-court advantage in the playoffs. The Spurs have the right mix of talent, and a very good defensive unit, that helps them in the playoffs when other teams start to tire a bit.

As far as this game is concerned, the Spurs take it in my book. They still want to show they are a force to be reckoned with, and a victory over a hot Houston Rockets team will send a message to the rest of the league heading into the playoffs.

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While there are still 16 teams vying for a National Championship, it should be noted that in no time in history, since the field expanded to 64 teams, have the four number one seeded teams advanced to the final four. A part of that is mind boggling, as in suggesting that the teams that are the best in the land aren’t able to advance, but the other part of it is what makes the NCAA Tournament filled with so much drama. However, this season all four number ones are still in it. UNC has looked the most dominate of the four teams. Defeating Mt. St. Mary’s by nearly 50 in the first round, and then coming out strong against Arkansas in the second wrong, never allowing them even in the game. The analysts have said that UNC has the toughest road to the Final Four, but so far they have made that statement a laughable one. In the round of 16 UNC will take on Washington State.

Kansas and UCLA have also not really been tested. Kansas blew by Portland State in the opening round, and after a close game for about ten minutes, was able to establish themselves as the better team against UNLV. UCLA handled Mississippi Valley State handedly in the first round, and actually struggled a bit against Texas A&M, but the result was never really in question.

Texas Arlington played Memphis the closest out of the number one seeds, but were never quite really able to put any doubt in viewers minds on who the winner would be. Then Memphis played Mississippi State, and was barely able to hold on to the win, a three point victory, after being up by double digits most of the game. Mississippi was a three-pointer away at the buzzer from sending the game into overtime.

Kansas appears to have a nice game awaiting them, one against Davidson. Davidson has beaten Gonzaga and Georgetown, however. Also, being that they will be a huge underdog, most of the stadium will be pulling for them. UCLA is playing West Virginia, who shocked most people by handling Duke fairly easily. UCLA appears to have too much talent, and inside presence for West Virginia, but they have made it this far, who knows they might be able to pull off another big upset. Finally, Memphis is playing Michigan State. Michigan State might not even be considered that big of an underdog, especially after the way Memphis played in their last game.

This has been just a quick preview of some of the top teams in the tournament still to beat. I, as long with everybody else, would find it very exciting to see some more of these huge upsets. It must be noted that no mid-major team has ever won the entire tournament. It’s also true that the highest seed to ever win it was an eighth seed. However, they play the games to change history, not to repeat it, and there is nothing saying that a Davidson or Western Kentucky can shock the world and cut down the nets on April 7th in San Antonio.

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A potential playoff match-up will take place when the Lebron James led Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Detroit to take on Rip Hamilton, and company. The Cavaliers have played some of their best basketball since the all-star break and are hoping to have a repeat of last year when they made it to the NBA Finals, only winning it this time. It won’t be an easy mountain to climb, as not only do the Pistons stand in the way, but also the Boston Celtics. Lebron James appears up for the challenge, as he has 30.8 points a game this year, tops in the league. Also, since the arrival of Ben Wallace they have appeared to have gotten tougher in the post, and that equals better defense. It’s been said that Wallace has lost something of his game, but he appears he may be revitalized in his new uniform, after being traded from a losing situation in Chicago. A chance of winning an NBA title can make many old players feel new again, just ask Shaq in Phoenix.

Detroit has been sort of coasting through the regular season, as I have mentioned in previous game previews. When the playoffs come they will probably pick up the slack, but most coaches don’t like seeing their team go through the motions this late in the season. They are expected to be a tough match-up for any team in the East, but if they play like they have been, they may be out in the first round if they are not careful.

As of this very moment I am taking the Cavs’ because they seem to be playing harder and want it more. It is tough to win in Detroit, but James and the gang may be catching the snoozing Pistons at the right time to sneak out of motor city with a victory.

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Each year the NCAA Tournament Selection committee says they don’t purposely make intriguing match-ups, yet every year a handful of games have a story behind them. Also, there are the games that despite the seedings, are just very hard to predict a winner. This year is no different, on both accounts, as every region seems to have at least one game that leaves the viewer saying, “This could be a great game.”

Let’s take a look at each region, and some of these interesting looking games.

East

Three games jump out at me in this bracket, two of them just because of one team. George Mason is playing Notre Dame in the first round in a 12 vs. 5 game. George Mason made an incredible run two years ago that didn’t end until the final four. While Mason isn’t a particularly good shooting school, especially from the perimeter, they do take care of the ball very well. Notre Dame is certainly no pushover, and most experts are picking them to beat George Mason, but then again two years ago George Mason was close to a double digit underdog in all of their games.

The Winthrop Eagles out of the Big South Conference are beginning to make the trip to the NCAA Tournament a routine occurrence. Winthrop actually had a bit of an off year this year, finishing 22-11, but they did win the Big South Conference. They will take on Washington State in the first round. The Cougars started the season red hot, but cooled off as the season progressed; this is a very scary game for the Cougars.

Finally, South Alabama in the 10th seed is playing Butler in the 7th position. South Alabama, despite being the lower seed, gets a virtual home game, as the first round game will be in Birmingham, Alabama.

Midwest

(6) USC vs. (11) Kansas State is possibly the most intriguing game of the entire first round. On one end of the court you have O.J. Mayo, super freshman of the USC Trojans. On the other end of the court you have another super freshman, Michael Beasley. On top of being just freshman, they are also both in the running for player of the year. Beasley leads the nation in double-doubles, and has had a handful of 40 point 20 rebound performances. To have one a season is good, but to have a few is amazing. Both of the freshman have been inconsistent at times, but we can only hope they bring their A game for the NCAA Tournament.

Other potentially interesting match-ups in this region include Siena vs. Vanderbilt, and Gonzaga vs. Davidson. Gonzaga pretty much brought mid-major teams into the spotlight throughout the late 90’s, and Davidson is hoping to be among the next generation of small schools to make a major impact.

South

Temple is back in the tournament for the first time in a few years, and their defense might be able to pull off an upset against Michigan State. This is a 12 vs. 5 match-up, and it seems at least every year one or two of these goes to the 12th seed.

The Miami-Saint Mary’s game, a 7th vs. 10th seed, seems like an upset possibility. For starters, Miami as a 7th seed seemed a little high, and on the same page Saint Mary’s as a 10th seed seems low. Saint Mary’s is every bit as good as most of the teams in the top-25, and they could potentially show that by beating Miami in the first round

West

Western Kentucky was one of the last teams to make it into the tournament, and with the exception of a few late season losses, they were a pretty decent team. As a 12th seed they have to take on Drake, who is one of those mid-major conference teams trying to make a name for themselves. I feel this game is a pick’em. Both teams are not used to big games, and it doesn’t get any bigger then the NCAA Tournament.

This was just a brief preview of some of the things that could happen. However, what makes the NCAA Tournament such a joy to watch is the things that happen that nobody predicted. Will this be a year that a 16th seed finally beats a 1 seed? Will a double-digit seed, like George Mason, make another run to the NCAA Championship? All the action begins Thursday.

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One of the best stories of the year has been the play of the Washington Wizards. Just two weeks into the season their best player, Gilbert Arenas went down with a knee injury, and has yet to return. While there is a good chance that he may return before the end of the week, there hasn’t been any exact timetable set. As if that injury isn’t enough, Caron Butler, an all-star, has been hurt with an injured hip, and just as soon as he’s getting over that injury he landed on his left wrist during a game Thursday. Despite all of this the Wizards are playing some of their best basketball of the year, and are currently in sixth place in the playoff hunt.

The Wizards task doesn’t get any easier when they take on the second seeded Detroit Pistons. The Wizards can take some joy out of the game being a home game for them, but the Pistons are 22-12 on the road, so that hardly phases them. The main core of the Pistons has been together for about the last five years, and they seem like they will be the biggest challenge to the Celtics making it to the NBA Finals. Both the Celtics and the Pistons have clinched a playoff spot, and it appears if they both advance this far, they would meet in the Eastern Conference Finals, something to look forward too.

The Wizards keep finding a way to win, and I’m not sure they can’t find a way to win this game as well. If Arenas does indeed come back this week it will give the team a psychological boost that they are entering the playoffs with their best team. While Arenas will probably need at least a few games to settle back in, the Wizards will certainly welcome his return with open arms.

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The Mavericks have a very hard week in front of them. On Tuesday they take on the Lakers, Thursday the Celtics, and they close the week against the defending NBA champions the San Antonio Spurs. At the start of the week the Mavericks will be in the seventh spot in the conference standings. However, if they have a bad week here they could be on the outside looking in with the Warriors and Mavericks both nipping on their heels. But, the exact opposite could happen, if they win all of these games they could be near the top of the standings. To say this is a big week for the Mavericks is an understatement. Dirk Nowitzki and his 23.6 points a game will do everything in his power to make this week a winning one. Jason Kidd is also starting to play very well in the Mavericks uniform, and with so many scoring weapons to pass to it’s no wonder.

The Spurs are only a half game in front of the Mavericks, and are sitting in sixth position. If the Spurs are able to make the playoffs, which most think they will, they have to be considered one of the stronger choices of winning it all just because of their experience alone. Many of the teams in front of them in the rankings are either young teams, or just experiencing success for the first time. With Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili leading you into the playoffs you have to be considered a favorite. First thing is first though, and they have to get through this marathon called the regular season.

The Spurs are on a three game slide, so that is why I’m going to favor the Mavericks slightly in this game. The Mavericks are going to have a tough week, as noted, but I think they might feel they need this win more then the Spurs as the current situation stands.

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Around this time last week I wrote a preview of a Rockets game. In the story I mentioned that the Rockets lost Yao Ming, and would be lucky if they could keep their winning streak going. This week they have kept the streak going at 18 wins in a row. The streak is already among the best in the history of the NBA. Despite the overwhelming success there are still critiques out there that have said the Rockets haven’t beat anybody special. When the Lakers come to town they will get a chance to prove that this streak hasn’t been a fluke. I personally don’t know how winning 18 games could be considered a fluke, but some do. Before the Rockets play the Lakers they do have a couple games against the Nets and the Hawks, but I feel the streak will be at 20 when the Lakers come to town. However, I could be putting my foot in my mouth when I say that. Hopefully Tracy McGrady, and his 22 points per game will keep my prediction in tact.

The Lakers are one of the best teams in the league, and they aren’t even at full strength yet. The trade for Pau Gasol has been a major factor of the recent success, but when they get emerging center Andrew Bynum back to the lineup they will have arguably the best front court, and the best backcourt player in the league, Kobe Bryant. The Lakers have won eight of the last ten, and their schedule has been arguably tougher than the Rockets during their winning streak.

This game is so hard to predict. I lean slightly towards the Rockets because they are at home, but the Lakers have one of the best road records in the league, as well. This game will have a playoffs atmosphere in it, and could indeed be a preview of a future match up in the playoffs.

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The Dallas Mavericks are currently in the middle of a slide, losing five of their last ten. Now, if the Miami Heat had won five out of their last ten it would have been considered an improvement. However, the Mavericks are expected to be in the running for an NBA finals appearance, but at the current time they are sliding down the standings. In the incredibly tough Western Conference even losing two or three in a row can take you out of the playoff running. The Mavericks have so much to play for, but they have to end the slide to be taken seriously among the talks of the best teams in the country.

The Miami Heat should probably just be happy that any of their games are even on television anymore. To be fair, a large majority of their problems have been caused by injuries, but while the Mavericks have had a recent slide, the Heat’s entire season has been a slide. The Heat are 11-50 this year, and currently 27 ½ games behind the Orlando Magic in the Southeast Standings.

I don’t think I’ll be saying anything too shocking when I predict the Mavericks to win this game. I feel Jason Kidd will be able to handle any kind of defensive pressure his old Eastern Conference rivals could throw at him. This game might just be the medicine the doctor ordered to get the Mavericks back on track. The Heat have played tough all year, but playing with only seven players for a good portion of the season, they don’t have what it takes to close the show at the end of the game.

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Don’t look now, but the Detroit Pistons are now just a few games back from taking over top space in the Eastern Conference. Back near the beginning of the season when people were wondering if the Celtics would ever lose again, a just above .500 squad in the Pistons defeated the Celtics, showing they are still a powerhouse in the East. The rap on the Pistons was that they only play hard in big games, and will just coast to the regular season and only step it up in the playoffs. Not so fast. Since that early season match-up the Pistons have actually put up a better record than the once unbeatable looking Celtics. They have seemed to taken every team seriously, and behind the play of Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton, and Chauncey Billups they seem primed to make a deep run into the playoffs, probably either ending or advancing against the Celtics. Could be exciting.

The Bulls were expected to be among the better teams in the East. They were bringing back a nearly identical team that had made it to the playoffs the previous two seasons, but the team has sort of seemed to got stale. They fired Coach Scott Skiles, and have skidded to a sub .500 record. In the East, however, they still have a chance to make the playoffs, as do a few lower teams, but they need to start winning now. Up into this point they have showed nothing that proves they can make a run down the stretch. That is why I’m favoring the Pistons big in this game.

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