Finding Cinderella

The underdogs of 2008 March Madness

Ajitpaul Mangat, staff

Even if you are not an NCAA men’s college basketball fan, you likely know the who’s-who of the collegiate basketball world heading into this year’s championship.

The North Carolinas, UCLAs and Dukes will be there late in the tournament looking for their umpteenth win. The Derrick Roses (Memphis), DJ Augustins (Texas), and Ty Lawsons (North Carolina) will be there putting on a show for the fans, but even more significantly, the scouts will be there as they look to woo lottery teams into drafting them. And the Mike Krzyzewskis (Duke), Bill Selfs (Kansas), and Bruce Pearls (Tennessee) will be there on the sidelines drawing up the Xs and Os and delivering the rousing speeches that will drive their teams to victory.

But, what of the Chattanoogas and George Masons? Those Cinderella teams that capture the hearts of a nation amid the April showers, blooming flowers, and hard-court March Madness. Here are the teams with the best chance of putting on Cinderella’s glass slipper during this year’s tournament.

Winthrop Eagles

(Big South Conference/Record: 22-11)

The Winthrop Eagles were able to claim their fourth-straight NCAA tournament birth by comfortably defeating the North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs in the Big South conference championship game, 66-48. Besides this impressive victory the team is such a sexy choice to be this year’s Cinderella due to what they did in last year’s tournament, which was to knock off heavily favoured Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first round and then nearly end the Oregon Ducks’ season in the second round.

Additionally, since then, the team has been able to overcome many obstacles, from their coach, Gregg Marshall, leaving last summer for a lucrative deal at Wichita State, to the death of their backup point guard, DeAndre Adams, who was killed in a car accident.

On the court, if the team is to succeed, they will need their leaders shooting guard Michael Jenkins (14.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and power forward Taj MacCullough (11.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg) to carry the load. The hardships they have endured have made the Eagles a sentimental, as well as logical, choice to play Cinderella.

Austin Peay Governors

(Ohio Valley Conference/Record: 24-10)

The Austin Peay Governors were able to claim their first NCAA tournament birth since 2003 by trouncing the Tennessee State Tigers in the Ohio Valley Conference championship game, 82-64. The Governors’ story is one of redemption. Last year, in the very same game with a tournament birth on the line, the team led by 20 points in the second half only to lose on a last second shot to the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. Led by shooting guard Todd Babington’s 24 points, the hungry team made sure that did not happen again.

Two factors that play in the Governors’ favour is that they are an experienced team, with three of their starters being seniors and that they are not reliant on a single player, with five of their players averaging double-digit point totals. If the team does have a star player it is forward Drake Reed, who averaged 14.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg during the regular season. With the memories of last year fresh, and this being many players last chance to play collegiate basketball, the team has a surfeit of impetus to upset a team or two in the 2008 tournament.

Belmont Bruins

(Atlantic Sun Conference/Record: 25-8)

The Belmont Bruins were able to claim their third-straight NCAA tournament birth by easily overcoming the Jacksonville Dolphins in Atlantic Sun conference championship game, 79-61. In the process, they set a record with their third consecutive Atlantic Sun championships.

The mantra of the Bruins this season has been “Make History,” which head coach Rick Byrd put on a sign outside the locker room before the season began. The past two tournaments have been difficult for the Bruins, as they have been overwhelmed in the first round. In 2006, they lost to UCLA, 78-44; and in 2007, they lost to Georgetown, 80-55. If Belmont has any chance of pulling off an upset they will need to continue their hot shooting from outside the arc. The team finished fourth in the nation in three-point shooting, with small forward Matthew Dotson doing most of the damage (41.7 per cent from beyond the arc).

Additionally, they will need to lean on their experienced duo of senior Justin Hare and junior Shane Dansby, who lead the team in scoring at 14.9 ppg and 13.8 ppg, respectively. As a likely 15-seed, the Bruins will be hard-pressed to advance passed the first round, but in the early part of a tournament the most important strength is three-point shooting, which the Bruins do better than most top seeds.

Next week: check out the Manitoban’s 2008 March Madness viewing guide. Also, don’t forget to join our March Madness pool and earn an opportunity to win some great prizes!





Volume 95 Issue 23	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	March 12, 2008

Home About Us Advertising Rates Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Volunteer Online Classifieds St. Vincent's Academy Diaries	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly Finding Cinderella The underdogs of 2008 March Madness Ajitpaul Mangat, staff Even if you are not an NCAA men’s college basketball fan, you likely know the who’s-who of the collegiate basketball world heading into this year’s championship. The North Carolinas, UCLAs and Dukes will be there late in the tournament looking for their umpteenth win. The Derrick Roses (Memphis), DJ Augustins (Texas), and Ty Lawsons (North Carolina) will be there putting on a show for the fans, but even more significantly, the scouts will be there as they look to woo lottery teams into drafting them. And the Mike Krzyzewskis (Duke), Bill Selfs (Kansas), and Bruce Pearls (Tennessee) will be there on the sidelines drawing up the Xs and Os and delivering the rousing speeches that will drive their teams to victory. But, what of the Chattanoogas and George Masons? Those Cinderella teams that capture the hearts of a nation amid the April showers, blooming flowers, and hard-court March Madness. Here are the teams with the best chance of putting on Cinderella’s glass slipper during this year’s tournament. Winthrop Eagles (Big South Conference/Record: 22-11) The Winthrop Eagles were able to claim their fourth-straight NCAA tournament birth by comfortably defeating the North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs in the Big South conference championship game, 66-48. Besides this impressive victory the team is such a sexy choice to be this year’s Cinderella due to what they did in last year’s tournament, which was to knock off heavily favoured Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first round and then nearly end the Oregon Ducks’ season in the second round. Additionally, since then, the team has been able to overcome many obstacles, from their coach, Gregg Marshall, leaving last summer for a lucrative deal at Wichita State, to the death of their backup point guard, DeAndre Adams, who was killed in a car accident. On the court, if the team is to succeed, they will need their leaders shooting guard Michael Jenkins (14.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and power forward Taj MacCullough (11.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg) to carry the load. The hardships they have endured have made the Eagles a sentimental, as well as logical, choice to play Cinderella. Austin Peay Governors (Ohio Valley Conference/Record: 24-10) The Austin Peay Governors were able to claim their first NCAA tournament birth since 2003 by trouncing the Tennessee State Tigers in the Ohio Valley Conference championship game, 82-64. The Governors’ story is one of redemption. Last year, in the very same game with a tournament birth on the line, the team led by 20 points in the second half only to lose on a last second shot to the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. Led by shooting guard Todd Babington’s 24 points, the hungry team made sure that did not happen again. Two factors that play in the Governors’ favour is that they are an experienced team, with three of their starters being seniors and that they are not reliant on a single player, with five of their players averaging double-digit point totals. If the team does have a star player it is forward Drake Reed, who averaged 14.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg during the regular season. With the memories of last year fresh, and this being many players last chance to play collegiate basketball, the team has a surfeit of impetus to upset a team or two in the 2008 tournament. Belmont Bruins (Atlantic Sun Conference/Record: 25-8) The Belmont Bruins were able to claim their third-straight NCAA tournament birth by easily overcoming the Jacksonville Dolphins in Atlantic Sun conference championship game, 79-61. In the process, they set a record with their third consecutive Atlantic Sun championships. The mantra of the Bruins this season has been “Make History,” which head coach Rick Byrd put on a sign outside the locker room before the season began. The past two tournaments have been difficult for the Bruins, as they have been overwhelmed in the first round. In 2006, they lost to UCLA, 78-44; and in 2007, they lost to Georgetown, 80-55. If Belmont has any chance of pulling off an upset they will need to continue their hot shooting from outside the arc. The team finished fourth in the nation in three-point shooting, with small forward Matthew Dotson doing most of the damage (41.7 per cent from beyond the arc). Additionally, they will need to lean on their experienced duo of senior Justin Hare and junior Shane Dansby, who lead the team in scoring at 14.9 ppg and 13.8 ppg, respectively. As a likely 15-seed, the Bruins will be hard-pressed to advance passed the first round, but in the early part of a tournament the most important strength is three-point shooting, which the Bruins do better than most top seeds. Next week: check out the Manitoban’s 2008 March Madness viewing guide. Also, don’t forget to join our March Madness pool and earn an opportunity to win some great prizes!


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