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TechnographSearching for a sign on Selection Sunday
By Lucas Deal
Posted: 3/14/07 Section: NCAA Tournament Guide 1
For some reason, I just knew.
I'm not sure why. This feeling just came over me. Sometimes you get that: a complete assuredness and confidence in what's to come. I wouldn't consider it a psychic skill; it's more like a temporary revelation. For that one instant, everything aligns just right and you know.
I had one of those moments on Sunday.
It was during the CBS NCAA Tournament Selection Show. CBS studio host Greg Gumbel was in the process of revealing the 5/12 game of the Tournament's West Region. Kansas had already been announced as the bracket's No. 1 seed and Virginia Tech had just popped up on the screen as the region's No. 5 seed. The No. 12 seed was next.
All of a sudden, this feeling came over me that Illinois was next. And I was sure of it. As early as 15 seconds before, I had no idea if the Illini would even make the bracket, but at that moment, they jumped into my mind as the team to face Virginia Tech.
"That's us," I said to myself, no less than two seconds before Gumbel officially announced the Illini were in the field. I wasn't sure why, but I just knew that had to be us.
Since then, I've spent the better part of two days searching my mind for another revelation about the Illini. I want to push them through to the Sweet Sixteen, I want that game with Kansas, but in my mind I just don't see it.
Actually, I don't see anything.
I can't see Illinois beating Virginia Tech on Friday, but I can't really see them beating us either. The Illini aren't much of an offensive juggernaut, but their defense is good enough to limit Tech's ability to score against them.
Same goes for a potential second-round game against Weber's former team and former assistant in Chris Lowery and Southern Illinois.
I think if the Illini were to meet the Salukis, it would be a highly competitive defensive game. Both teams have the ability to suffocate the other's offense, but since both are so similar, I can't distinguish between each one. I can go with my loyalty and take the Illini to win both games or stick to the chalk and give Tech the first-round win.
I'm not sure why. This feeling just came over me. Sometimes you get that: a complete assuredness and confidence in what's to come. I wouldn't consider it a psychic skill; it's more like a temporary revelation. For that one instant, everything aligns just right and you know.
I had one of those moments on Sunday.
It was during the CBS NCAA Tournament Selection Show. CBS studio host Greg Gumbel was in the process of revealing the 5/12 game of the Tournament's West Region. Kansas had already been announced as the bracket's No. 1 seed and Virginia Tech had just popped up on the screen as the region's No. 5 seed. The No. 12 seed was next.
All of a sudden, this feeling came over me that Illinois was next. And I was sure of it. As early as 15 seconds before, I had no idea if the Illini would even make the bracket, but at that moment, they jumped into my mind as the team to face Virginia Tech.
"That's us," I said to myself, no less than two seconds before Gumbel officially announced the Illini were in the field. I wasn't sure why, but I just knew that had to be us.
Since then, I've spent the better part of two days searching my mind for another revelation about the Illini. I want to push them through to the Sweet Sixteen, I want that game with Kansas, but in my mind I just don't see it.
Actually, I don't see anything.
I can't see Illinois beating Virginia Tech on Friday, but I can't really see them beating us either. The Illini aren't much of an offensive juggernaut, but their defense is good enough to limit Tech's ability to score against them.
Same goes for a potential second-round game against Weber's former team and former assistant in Chris Lowery and Southern Illinois.
I think if the Illini were to meet the Salukis, it would be a highly competitive defensive game. Both teams have the ability to suffocate the other's offense, but since both are so similar, I can't distinguish between each one. I can go with my loyalty and take the Illini to win both games or stick to the chalk and give Tech the first-round win.
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