ORUTerry Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 NCAA Tournament 2007: Fit for a slipper Tulsa World Link by MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer 3/15/2007 Oral Roberts has all the ingredients that make an NCAA Cinderella squad SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Before entering Prince Charming's palace, a prudent Cinderella would have made a final wardrobe check to make sure she was properly outfitted for the ball. The Oral Roberts basketball team might be doing similar last-minute checks to see if it has what it takes to be a big hit in this year's NCAA Tournament. What does it take for a 14th seed like the Golden Eagles to make a long run in the tournament? Does it help that Sports Illustrated writer and CBS Sportsline.com college basketball analyst Seth Davis thinks ORU is a prime candidate to upset third-seeded Washington State in Thursday's first-round game at ARCO Arena? "Hopefully it builds their confidence even more that people out there really believe our team has a great opportunity to upset Washington State." said ORU coach Scott Sutton. Confidence is important, but the kind that comes from knowing you're good because of the outstanding season you've just had. That's from George Mason coach Jim Larranaga, whose Patriots became only the second 11th seed to reach the Final Four last year. LSU did it in 1986. "A team that just wins its tournament, but hasn't had a great year, and just gets (into the NCAA) isn't likely to advance." Larranaga said. Oakland's surprising run through the Mid-Continent Conference as a seventh seed two years ago didn't change the Grizzlies overnight from an 18-loss team. Only a fairy godmother could have done that. After beating Alabama A&M in the play-in game, the Grizzlies came back to earth with a 28-point loss to North Carolina in the next round. "It's hard to sustain if you've only won late in the year, but teams that have enjoyed success through the season have a better chance," Larranaga said. "Oral Roberts is a perfect example. Beating Kansas at Kansas has to be confidence booster, knowing they can play with one of the very best teams in the country." ORU won 78-71 in Allen Fieldhouse on Nov. 15 as sophomore Marchello Vealy scored a career-high 22 points. The Eagles also won their third straight regular-season Mid-Con title, won 17 of their final 20 games and amassed over 20 wins in a season for the third straight year. George Mason, located in Fairfax, Va., had more than confidence last year. The Patriots were good and knew they were good, but they were flying under the national radar. The Patriots went 23-7 and tied for the regular-season Colonial Conference title. But few believed they deserved an at-large bid after losing in the conference tournament. "We were very underrated nationally, but that was a help to us because the experts predicted we wouldn't get (into the tournament), and it became very exciting when we did," Larranaga said. "It became a challenge and a focus to prove that we could play with the Michigan States and the Carolinas of the world. Had (the experts) evaluated us correctly, had they said, 'This is a great team, it deserves to be in, it's not even on the bubble,' then the Cinderella label wouldn't have fit." The Patriots beat Michigan State in the first round and defending NCAA champ North Carolina to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. They rolled over Wichita State in the regional semifinals and stunned top-seeded Connecticut to advance to the Final Four. Not until they ran up against eventual champion Florida were they overmatched. Does ORU have a favorable matchup for its first-round game? That's another key part of the upset equation. Sure, the Cougars had a great year with a solid group of players. But it won't be like facing powerful Georgetown again. The Hoyas' 7-foot-2, 278-pound Roy Hibbert ate ORU for lunch in December. The Golden Eagles will gladly take their chances with WSU's 6-foot-10, 211-pound Robbie Cowgill. That's what getting a little higher seed will do for a team. Experience also helps, said Valparaiso coach Homer Drew. The Crusaders had been to the two previous NCAA tournaments and started five seniors in 1998 when they reached the Sweet Sixteen. ORU has only two senior starters, but Caleb Green and Ken Tutt are two of the most important players in school history, with nearly 4,500 points between them. And the Eagles start juniors who have been around. Adam Liberty started two years at Wichita before transferring to ORU. Yemi Ogunoye is in his fifth ORU season. Also aiding Valpo's Sweet Sixteen run was how the higher seeds fell out of the way in front of them. Said Sutton: "That's where a team can make a deep run. You gain so much confidence from upsetting a third or fourth seed, and depending on how the bracket opens up for you, the team you're playing in the next round probably isn't as good." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THREE KEYS to an ORU win 1. Protect the basketball WSU is deliberate on offense and ranks third nationally in fewest turnovers with 10.3 per game. Possessions will be at a minimum. ORU doesn't want to give the Cougars extra chances. 2. Attack the middle WSU allows only 17.3 foul shots per game. Caleb Green could drive up that number, but the Eagles have to get him the ball. 3. Don't get blown out The Eagles need to keep the game close if they get behind. An upset is more likely when an underdog stays in the game and pressure grows on the favorite. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Brown 581-8390 mike.brown@tulsaworld.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CINDERELLA STORIES By MIKE STRAIN World Sports Editor A look at teams seeded 10th or lower that made dramatic NCAA Tournament runs: 2006: No. 11 seed George Mason makes stunning run to Final Four. Mason matches LSU (No. 11 in 1986) as lowest seeds ever in Final Four. 2006: No. 13 seed Bradley shocks Kansas and Pitt. Falls to top-seededMemphis in Sweet Sixteen. 2002: No. 12 seed Missouri reaches regional finals before losing to Oklahoma. 1999: No. 10 seed Gonzaga bursts onto national scene with a run to the Elite Eight. Loses to eventual champ UConn. 1999: No. 13 seed Oklahoma shocks Arizona and Charlotte. Falls in Sweet Sixteen to top-seeded Michigan State. 1998: No. 13 seed Valpo's BryceDrew hits a memorable, first-round buzzer beater against Ole Miss in OKC. Crusaders go on to Sweet Sixteen. 1988: No. 13 seed Richmond upsets Bob Knight's Hoosiers in fi rst round on way to Sweet Sixteen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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