Redemption Weekend

The first weekend of the 2010 NCAA Tournament was one of the best first weekends that I can remember.

There were buzzer beaters. There were upsets. We have three certified cinderellas. Epic performances were aplenty. And then there was the Sultan of Swish.

But if there was one prevailing theme from the 48 games this weekend, it was redemption.


Michigan State was a favorite in the preseason. When you return the league player of the year to head a roster full of talent from a team that made the title game, it comes with the territory.

But Michigan State had a myriad of issues this year. From injuries to leadership problems to the inability to get players to realize their potential, in a matter of a month the Spartans went from the Big Ten's runaway favorite to a conference tri-champion and a Big Ten tournament first round casualty.

Those issues didn't stop in the tournament's first weekend. The Spartans twice blew big leads, twice winning games that were decided on the final possession. One required a buzzer beater; the other needed a lane violation and a break from the officials. They also had to deal with Chris Allen's foot injury, Raymar Morgan's chipped tooth, and, worst of all, an injury to Kalin Lucas that looks to be a torn achilles.

But despite that, the Spartans advanced, and will be playing Northern Iowa for a spot in the Elite 8.


Butler, like Michigan State, was a sexy preseason pick that failed to live up to lifty expectations.

Or so people thought.

Butler, who is fast becoming the Gonzaga of the Midwest, loaded their non-conference schedule, and proceeded to lose to just about everyone. Yes, they beat Ohio State, but that win came without Evan Turner. Yes, they beat Xavier, but that win was marred by a decision by the officials to end the game due to a timing issue.

Prior to the start of the tournament, not many people believed that Butler had what it took to make it to the Sweet 16, let alone get out of the first round.

Yet, here the Bulldogs are. The knock on Brad Stevens' crew coming in was that they were unable to handle the athleticism of a power program. Well, they seemed to have answered those doubts by running -- or more accurately shooting -- an long and athletic UTEP team out of the gym in the second half of their first round game. Against Murray State, it was prototypical Butler, playing their stout defense and executing just well enough offensively to win a game.

The Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them in the Sweet 16, as they get a Syracuse team that seems to have rediscovered their stride. But even with a loss to the Orange, Butler has proven themselves to a lot of their detractors.


Purdue's season was supposed to over when Robbie Hummel's knee gave out.

After scoring 11 first half points in a rout against Minnesota, dropping to a four seed, and drawing Siena in the first round, Purdue was expected to end their season quietly.

Anyone that thought the Boilermakers were done (including myself) complemently misjudged the mettle of this team.

In both of their games this weekend, Purdue was outplayed in the first half. But in both games, an unheralded role player sparked a second half surge that changed the game. Against Siena, Keaton Grant scored 11 points in a 15-0 run to open the second half as Purdue eventually opened up a 17 point lead.

Today, against Texas A&M, Chris Kramer scored seven points and added an assist as Purdue used a 17-2 run midway through the second half to overcome an 11 point deficit to the Aggies. For the game, Kramer had 17 points, 7 boards, 3 steals, and held A&M's leading scorer to 11 points on 4-17 shooting. Should I also mention that he hit the game winning bucket in overtime?

Purdue needed their unsung players to step up if they wanted to advance past the first weekend. I think its safe to say they did.


The Washington Huskies weren't supposed to have a chance. They struggled through a bad Pac-10 with seven losses, couldn't win a game on the road or against a marquee opponent, and dealt with defensive and intensity issues all season long.

And this coming from a team that many pegged as a potential Final Four team back in October.

But something clicked with the Huskies.

They ran through the Pac-10 tournament to earn the league's automatic bid (many were speculating that it was the only way the Huskies were going to get in). They came back from 15 down against a rugged Marquette team to win on a buzzer-beating layup by Quincy Pondexter. Then on Saturday night, against the team many believed was actually the best out west, Washington clicked.

The Huskies ran New Mexico off the floor. They were quicker to loose balls, they were playing all out defensively, and they showed what they are capable of when they get out and run the floor in transition.

Washington has enough talent to be a Sweet 16 team.

They figured that out at the right time.