The Herald Bulletin

Afternoon Update

Sports

Related Photos

Discussion

March 16, 2010

Quintin Harlan: Welcome to the Big Board of Wrong

By Quintin Harlan, Herald Bulletin Sports Writer

Ladies and gentlemen: It’s time for THE BIG BOARD OF WRONG!

Remember the rules: The board is meant to keep one humble. Hope to get 10 out of the Sweet 16. And try not to take it too seriously.

That said, here are the predictions that are sure to be wrong, but maybe they’ll be funny, unlike Purdue’s offense against Minnesota in the Big Ten tournament.

Kansas has the No. 1 overall seed and is favored to cut down the nets in Indianapolis on April 5.

I am not backing the Jayhawks.

I believe that Ohio State can knock off Kansas in St. Louis for the right to move on to the Final Four.

Syracuse didn’t impress anyone in the Big East tournament.

Butler is in its half of the West bracket.

I like the Bulldogs to find a way to win and get to the Sweet 16 and then get put out by the Orange.

The Pittsburgh Panthers, who feature former Highland Scot Gary McGhee, are tough, battle tested and my pick to pull off an upset in the Sweet 16 by knocking off No. 2 seeded Kansas State.

Then I’m going with Syracuse to get past Pitt and move on to Indy.

The East region is Kentucky’s to lose.

Also, the fact that West Virginia coach Bob Huggins is complaining about being in the same region as the Wildcats doesn’t inspire the greatest amount of confidence.

I like West Virginia to get to the Sweet 16, and then I’m going with the No. 3 seed, the Lobos of New Mexico, to upset the Mountaineers.

So Kentucky vs. New Mexico for the ticket to Indianapolis.

Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is a New Mexico alumnus, but Kentucky has Ashley Judd as its No. 1 fan.

I’m going with the Wildcats.

Then there’s the much-maligned South region where the Duke Blue Devils are the No. 1 seed.

I’ve been over my Big Board of Wrong 100 times, and I still can’t believe I’ve got Mike Krzyzewski and his team doing something it’s not done since 2004, reaching the Final Four.

I know Baylor is in that region, but that’s a program that hasn’t won a tournament game since 1950. There’s Villanova as the No. 2 seed, but this isn’t the bunch of recent memory that could put holy terror in their opponents’ souls. Purdue has the No. 4 seed, but do you want to bet on the Boilers’ chances without Robbie Hummel?

Then there’s the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, whom I’ve got as the last chance to stop Duke in the Elite Eight. Why? This team learned how to grind teams down while Luke Harangody was sidelined with an injury.

That style of play wins more often than not this time of year. But I’ve still got Duke moving on.

So here’s my Final 4: Ohio State, Syracuse, Kentucky and Duke.

If those four are still alive by next week, I’ll predict my national champion.

Contact Quintin Harlan: 640-4835, quintin.harlan@heraldbulletin.com.

Text Only
Sports
  • Super Bowl Peytons Pl_Brem.jpg Another surgery for Manning?

    According to a Wednesday report by Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks on the magazine’s website, Peyton Manning underwent an unreported follow-up procedure on his injured neck last summer and the Indianapolis Colts believe further surgery is inevitable in the future.

    February 15, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0122 sports CIC wrestling 152.jpg Wrestlers have eyes on prize

    For Alexandria’s Luke Blanton, Pendleton Heights’ Clint Nicholson and Shenandoah’s Jacob Lumpkin, qualifying for the 2012 IHSAA State Individual Wrestling finals brings a bevy of emotions

    February 15, 2012 2 Photos

  • 0115 sports ahs vs jeff bbb 027.jpg Indians put stop to slide

    In the end, it took eight seconds of insane defense to end the Anderson boys basketball team’s eight-game losing streak.
    In a game twice postponed by weather, the Indians held off a last-ditch rally at Huntington North for a 59-58 North Central Conference victory on Wednesday.

    February 15, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0112 sports au vs rh 018.jpg AU men lose, but still clinch spot in HCAC tourney

    The Anderson University men’s basketball team lost to Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Manchester College 81-71 on Wednesday night at Stauffer-Wolfe Arena in North Manchester.

    February 15, 2012 1 Photo

  • Teverbaugh, Rick.jpg Rick Teverbaugh: Familiar face leads Wildcats

    For me, there will be much excitement and anticipation as part of the girls basketball regional Saturday at Decatur Central.

    February 15, 2012 1 Photo

  • THB Bramwell Rick Bramwell: Indy sport show is can’t-miss event

    Many outdoor enthusiasts look forward to late February for the migration of the sandhill crane, some warmer weather and the Ford Indianapolis Sport, Boat & Travel Show. This is something I don’t want to miss.

    February 15, 2012 1 Photo

  • Northwestern Indiana _Brem.jpg Hoosiers hold off ’Cats

    Tom Crean’s first 20-win season at Indiana came with some fitting benchmarks.
    A freshman credited with turning the program around led the way again. An injured senior who survived a six-win season closed it out. And, of course, the Hoosiers had to scrap for another 40 minutes to pull off the win

    February 15, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0216 spts Cavs.jpg Cavs pick off Pacers

    Kyrie Irving scored 22 points in his return after missing three games with a concussion, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 98-87 win Wednesday night over the reeling Indiana Pacers, who dropped their fifth straight.

    February 15, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0215 sports alex vs eastern hancock 033.jpg Royals edge out Tigers

    If Alexandria’s non-conference matchup with Eastern Hancock was relatively meaningless, someone forgot to tell just about everyone involved.
    The two teams turned a sleepy weeknight crowd electric Tuesday night with a wild, high-flying affair that ended with a 92-91 Royals victory, new individual scoring records for both schools and a home crowd that remained standing in proud applause long after the final buzzer.

    February 14, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0128 sports phhs vs greenfield 010.jpg Power outage grounds Arabians

    An accident on Indiana 13 at Indiana 38 knocked power out throughout the southern part of Madison County on Tuesday and caused the postponement of Pendleton Heights’ boys basketball game against New Castle.

    February 14, 2012 1 Photo