2023 NCAA Tournament Bracket Predictions - Mar.10-Mar.16,2023 Vol.21,Issue28
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2023 NCAA Tournament
Bracket Predictions
Mar. 10 - Mar. 16, 2023 Vol. 21, Issue 28 www.sportspagdfw.com FREE
2 March 10, 2023 - March 16, 2023 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 21 Issue 28 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com
Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 21 - Issue 24 | February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023 3
AROUND THE AREA
Mar. 10, 2023 - Mar. 17, 2023
Vol. 21, Issue 28
LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST
sportspagedfw.com
Established 2002
Cover Photo: TMS opens with doubleheader weekend
4 AROUND THE AREA 167 laps and 250 miles. school in his honor. At different points in
COLLEGE BASKETBALL COACH- Gate 4 opens at 7:30 a.m. while addi- time, McCombs owned the NFL's
5 ING CHANGES AHEAD
BY MATT NORLANDER
tional gates and all suites open at 11 a.m.
The TMS Fan Zone also opens at 11 a.m.
Minnesota Vikings and the NBA's Denver
Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs.
GOLF, ETC On Sunday, April 2, the PPG 375, the In Memorium: Remembering those who
6 BY TOM WARD
Texas Motor Speedway opens 2023 sea- second race of the NTT INDYCAR impacted the game
son April 1-2 with Indycar/NASCAR SERIES season, begins at 11:15 a.m. The • Michael "Terry" Holland, the athletics
7 THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
PREVIEW
BY PGATOUR.COM
doubleheader weekend
Texas Motor Speedway will open its
race length is 248 laps and 372 miles.
Driver introductions begin at 10:30 a.m.
director at Davidson, Virginia and East
Carolina, passed away Feb. 26. He was 80.
2023 season with the anticipated return of • Jerry Olson, who coached at North
NINE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT the popular INDYCAR/NASCAR double- Dakota, passed away Feb. 25. He was 89.
8 TPC SAWGRASS
BY PGATOUR.COM
header weekend scheduled for April 1-2. • Ryan Keeler, an Academic All-
The two-day event will play host to the Mountain West defensive lineman at
10 THREE BIG NAMES IN THE
SPOTLIGHT AT THE PLAYERS
BY PGATOUR.COM
NTT INDYCAR SERIES and NASCAR
CRAFTSMAN Truck Series as a combina-
UNLV who also played at Rutgers, passed
away Feb. 20. He was 20.
AMATEUR HOUR ON HOLE 17 AT tion weekend following a three-year hiatus. • Jim McMillin, who played at Colorado
11 SAWGRASSBY PGATOUR.COM
The open-wheel/trucks doubleheader had
been a staple of the TMS schedule from its
State and then in the NFL, passed away
Feb. 19. He was 85.
MARCH MADNESS BRACKET inaugural season in 1997 through 2019. Billy Joe "Red" McCombs, the 2001 • Charley Ferguson, who played at
12 PREDICTIONS
BY BILL BENDER
The on-track activities for Saturday, NFF Gold Medal recipient and the leg- Tennessee State and then in the NFL,
April 1, will highlight both series while the endary communications entrepreneur passed away Feb. 14. He was 83.
BIG 12 BASEBALL POWER PPG 375 NTT INDYCAR SERIES race who co-founded Clear Channel • Allen Green, who played at Ole Miss
14 RANKINGS WEEK 3
BY STAFF will take center stage for the 27th consecu- Communications, passed away Feb. 19. and the NFL, passed away Feb. 14 at 84.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS AND tive year on Sunday, April 2. He was 95. • Greg McMackin, who coached at
16 NOTES BY BO CARTER
Saturday’s busy schedule begins at 8
a.m. CT with a one-hour practice for the
From life as an auto mechanic's son on
the wind-swept plains of West Texas, Red
Hawaii, passed away Feb. 14. He was 77.
• Roger Bonk, who played at Minnesota
NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The NASCAR McCombs rose to become one of and North Dakota, passed away Feb. 13.
CRAFTSMAN Truck Series follows at America's most successful businessmen, He was 78.
9:30 a.m. with a 30-minute practice and with varied interests in auto dealerships, • Doug Fisher, who played at San Diego
then qualifying at 10 a.m. oil, ranching, communications, and profes- State and then in the NFL, passed away
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns sional sports. Feb. 12. He was 75.
Follow us on at 11:15 a.m. for its qualifying session and Along with his wife, Charline, • Barry Sacks, the longtime and highly
Twitter & Facebook then three practice sessions. There will be
a split-field, 30-minute practice session
McCombs became a major benefactor to
the University of Texas and Southwestern
regarded producer at ESPN, passed away
Feb. 12. He was 63.
twitter.com/sportspagedfw beginning at 12:45 followed by a full-field, University. Annually, the McCombs • Paul "Herky" Rubincam Jr., the former
one-hour final practice starting at 1:30 p.m. Foundation contributes millions to hun- athletics director at the University of
facebook.com/sportspageweek- The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck dreds of charities, colleges, and universities Pennsylvania, passed away Feb. 7 at 89.
Series culminates the day with the running across the State of Texas. His major contri- • Stanley Wilson, Jr., who played at
Publisher Contact Us of the SPEEDYCASH.COM 250 race butions to the University of Texas Business Stanford and then in the NFL, passed away
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NCAA Basketball Poll
Dic Humphrey, Tom Ward, Bo
Carter, Richard Pollak, Robert
AP
1. Houston
Week 18 Coaches
1. Houston WEEKLY CALENDAR
Cortinez. James McAnally 2. UCLA 2. Alabama
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4 March 10, 2023 - March 16, 2023 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 21 Issue 28 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com
COLLEGES COLLEGE BASKETBALL
College basketball coaching changes
College basketball coaching changes Out: Chris Beard and made the NCAAs in his first year on new facilities, but it's traditionally a sub-
2023 tracker: Jim Boeheim out at Following Beard's suspension (and the job. Former Texas coach Chris Beard is par team in the Big Sky.
Syracuse, Tech's Mark Adams resigns eventual firing, in early January), interim currently the favorite, though sources Manhattan
Wednesday also brought news that Chris coach Rodney Terry's gone 15-7. The job is stressed it is not a done deal and there are Out: Steve Masiello
Beard is involved and being seriously con- coveted; UT ranks as one of the 10 best still significant stages for Beard to get The 11-16 Jaspers had a sideways cam-
sidered at Ole Miss gigs in men's college hoops. Athletic direc- through before he can receive an offer. paign after firing Masiello on the precipice
tor Chris Del Conte isn't giving Terry the Army of the regular season. RaShawn Stores did
By Matt Norlander most optimistic support that he'll keep the Out: Jimmy Allen an admirable job in a very tough situation,
Wednesday was a huge day in college job, sources said. Texas has brand new The Black Knights played seven years and it remains wait-and-see whether he'll
basketball in off-the-court news, as it facilities and will be moving to the SEC in under Allen and were, for the most part, a get promoted to the full-time position.
brought the next major phase of the a year. It's going to attract a big name, but middle-of-the-pack Patriot League team. N.J. Tech
carousel: Jim Boeheim's time at Syracuse nobody at this stage really knows who that This job requires a specific kind of coach Out: Brian Kennedy
coming to an end after 47 years as the head will be, though questions loom over and recruits, obviously, specific kinds of A seven-year run with one above-.500
coach and six decades being officially tied whether Kelvin Sampson would be tempted players — guys who want to represent season (2018-19) led to Kennedy's resigna-
to the school. enough to leave what he's built at Houston. their country and enlist in the Armed tion on March 6. The Highlanders play in
The university simultaneously Syracuse Forces after their college careers are over. the America East, and the job ranks near
announced the end of Boeheim's run and Out: Jim Boeheim | In: Adrian Autry Austin Peay the bottom in the conference.
the hiring of Adrian Autry — Syracuse's Boeheim's career ends with a loss at the Out: Nate James McNeese St.
first new coach since 1976. Conspicuously, hands of Wake Forest in the 8/9 game of James is out less than two years after Out: John Aiken
Syracuse's statement did not refer to the ACC Tournament. The Naismith taking the job. The former Duke assistant Aiken was fired after just two seasons
Boeheim's ending as a retirement, and Memorial Hall of Famer coached the was 17 games under .500 through two sea- and a 22-45 overall record. What makes
Boeheim himself did not provide a quote Orange from 1976-2023 and won 1,015 sons (21-38), but Austin Peay was a job in this interesting: Heath Schroyer, who
or statement to the school's announcement. games, second most in history to Mike transition, moving from the OVC to the coached McNeese State from 2019-21, is
Autry was the rumored successor in Krzyzewski of Duke. There was also the ASUN this season. James ended the year now the AD at the school.
recent weeks, and now it's official. It also apex: 2003's national championship run on a 1-13 skid. No third year, even if New Mexico State
means that three Hall of Fame coaches with Carmelo Anthony. Boeheim has been Austin Peay struggled. Curious. Out: Greg Heiar
have left the ACC in three successive succeeded by Autry, who played for Bowling Green A calamity of tragedy and abuse poi-
years: Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski and Boeheim in the 1990s and has been on staff Out: Michael Huger soned this program, so much so that the
Boeheim. Times are changing in college since 2011. The Falcons finished this season under school's chancellor shut the season down in
basketball. Notre Dame .500 for a third straight year, and Huger's February. Days later, Heiar was rightfully
Also on Wednesday: Mark Adams Out: Mike Brey tenure ends after eight campaigns and a fired in the midst of his first season.
resigned at Texas Tech. The news came The Fighting Irish will make their first 126-125 record, 64-82 in the MAC. NMSU will pick up the pieces and rebuild
shortly after TTU lost to West Virginia in hire in 23 years. Brey is stepping down in Bucknell in the spring, but the question is: Who
the Big 12 Tournament. Adams was previ- less than a month, following an under- Out: Nathan Davis wants to take this kind of job? Someone
ously suspended for racially insensitive whelming denouement in South Bend. AD Bucknell on announced its split from will, but the task is going to be heavy. The
remarks he made to a player earlier this Jack Swarbrick will not be using a search Davis after eight seasons, which included a school's biggest appeal to potential candi-
season, when he said he was quoting pas- committee to fill the vacancy, and this job 129-155 record and NCAA Tournament dates is its NCAA Tournament viability as
sages from the Bible. Adams went 43-25 in should attract an intriguing pool of names. appearances in 2017 and 2018. Bucknell is a mid-major: The Aggies have had a tour-
two years. Grant McCasland (North Texas) Initial candidates being rumored include arguably the best job in the Patriot League nament-level team 11 times since 2007.
and Paul Mills (Oral Roberts) are two obvi- Penn State's Micah Shrewsberry, Ohio and will be competitively chased. The pro- NC A&T
ous names to keep an eye on for that job. State's Chris Holtmann, Miami Heat assis- gram has made the NCAAs eight times. Out: Will Jones
Also on Wednesday: I confirmed multi- tant (and former ND player) Chris Quinn Green Bay NC A&T is in the midst of a challenging
ple reports of Chris Beard's candidacy to and Colgate's Matt Langel. Out: Will Ryan transition from the MEAC to the Big South
be the next coach at Mississippi. As of Texas Tech The Phoenix fired Ryan following a 2- to the CAA in a three-year span. Interim
Wednesday night, Beard was considered Out: Mark Adams 19 go of it this season. Freddie Owens has coach Phillip Shumpert has kept the Aggies
the favorite for the job, but one source Adams is done after just two years after interim-coach duties. Former North Dakota competitive in the league after Jones was
stressed that significant hurdles still needed controversy and instability behind the State coach Saul Phillips is one name that's fired. A&T went 8-10 in conference play.
to be cleared before it became a practical scenes lampooned his second season. He been connected. Phillips has been at D-II Wofford
likelihood that Beard indeed would be resigned Wednesday evening. "My lifelong Northern State the past four years. John Out: Jay McAuley
offered the job. He is, as of this story's goal was to help and be a positive influ- Brannen and Rob Jeter have also been con- The Terriers had McAuley for less than
most recent publishing, one of a few candi- ence on my players, and to be a part of the tacted for the job, according to sources. 2.5 seasons; he was pushed out due to
dates being vetted by Ole Miss. Texas Tech men's basketball team," Adams High Point internal strife between McAuley and his
Syracuse and Texas Tech making said. "However, both the University and I Out: G.G. Smith players.Dwight Perry has coached the team
changes means there have been five high- believe this incident has become a distrac- Tubby Smith's son was promoted to the since. Wofford went 16-15.
major jobs with turnover, and a few more tion for the Texas Tech men's basketball full-time job a year ago but was fired fol- UT Arlington
are expected to join them in the next 24-48 team and the University, which I care about lowing a 14-17 season. Similar to Bucknell Out: Greg Young
hours. so deeply." Questions remain about if AD in the Patriot League, High Point is a high- Young was fired in February following less
Other jobs I'm keeping an eye on, lest Kirby Hocutt, whose had a litany of issues ly coveted job in the Big South because of than two years on the job. Royce "Snoop"
they open soon: Cal, Georgia Tech, St. with coaches and inappropriate behavior, its campus setting and facilities. Johnson is holding down the fort until a
John's, Stanford, UCF, Washington and has a long future at the school. Idaho replacement is named in the next few
Western Kentucky. Ole Miss Out: Zac Claus weeks. The next coach there will be the
In total, we're at 19 gigs that have Out: Kermit Davis Claus' firing was inevitable and became program's fifth in a seven-year span. It's
changed. We'll probably get to 25 by the The school fired Davis on Feb. 24, official on Feb. 27. He went 28-88 with the been bungled since Scott Cross' quizzical
start of the weekend. Here's the latest. about one month shy of allowing Davis to Vandals. Idaho is an appealing mid-major firing (after winning 72 games in three sea-
Texas finish out his fifth season. He went 74-79 job in that part of the country now due to sons) in 2018.
Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 21 - Issue 28 | March 10, 2023 - March 16, 2023 5
GOLF, ETC. WITH TOM WARD
Spring Swing Training
TOM WARD in slow motion back to his starting posi-
TOMPWARD@SBCGLOBAL.NET tion. The hitter then repeats until the
desired number of reps is done.
It’s that time of year again when Major Ortiz stated,“The hitter should take the
League Baseball teams get together for 10- plus- 5 approach. Take 10 swings
training camp. Players are ready to work going all out, and then 5 with a normal bat.
hard preparing for the upcoming season. This overload/over speed program will
There are lots of drills and exercises to make the hitter stronger and quicker.”
help the players get in tip-top shape and The top middle and right photos show-
sharpen their skills. The same applies when case Luis demonstrating the swing at full
it comes to the game of golf. velocity.
The following photo sequence has my In golf, after you’ve made your back-
friend, Luis Ortiz, doing baseball swings swing and paused momentarily, swing full
and I’m demonstrating the golf swing. speed ahead as shown in the bottom middle
Ortiz is a former Texas Ranger player and right photos. The key point here,
and now a hitting coach with the Boston whether it’s for baseball or golf, is to listen
Red Sox’s. The photos are from his book for the swooshing sound that you’re mak-
called The Natural Hitter’s Hitter. ing. In golf, if the sound is behind where a
In the top left photo, Luis has taken his ball would have been, then you’re using the
batting stance with a PVC pipe (5ft. long hands, wrists and shoulders improperly. By
by 1 inch thick). Because of the thickness keeping the upper body (shoulders) passive
it will feel heavy in the hitter’s hands. you’ll be able to drive the legs full speed
In the bottom left photo, I’ve taken my ahead. This action will automatically pull
golf club and flipped it upside down so that your club into the correct swing path at
the hosel of the club is where my grip was high velocity and you’ll hear the swoosh-
a moment ago. You can also do this drill ing sound out in front of you. That motion
with a weighed golf club or a doughnut if creates tremendous club head speed with
you have one. centrifugal force.
The purpose of the drill, whether it’s for This drill, in baseball or golf will accel-
baseball or golf, is to help the player devel- erate both bat speed or club head speed
op power. In both sports, this drill can resulting in more power with less effort
improve your bat speed (baseball) or club and looking smooth in the process. So
head speed (golf). spring into action and give this drill a try.
In baseball, the hitter swings fast to his Please visit www.teetimewithtom.com
follow-through, pauses, and then rewinds
6 March 10, 2023 - March 16, 2023 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 21 Issue 28 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com
GOLF PGA TOUR
This week: THE PLAYERS Championship
18-HOLE RECORD: 63, Fred Couples
(Round 3, 1992), Greg Norman (Round 1,
1994), Roberto Castro (Round 1, 2013),
Martin Kaymer (Round 1, 2014); Jason
Day (Round 1, 2016); Colt Knost (Round
2, 2016); Webb Simpson (Round 2, 2018);
Brooks Koepka (Round 4, 2018); Dustin
Johnson (Round 4, 2022)
LAST TIME: Cameron Smith started both
his front and back nines at TPC Sawgrass
with four straight birdies on route to a
final-round 66 and a one-stroke victory
over Anirban Lahiri. The Australian had
circles on his card on Nos. 1-4 before
bogeying Nos. 7-9. He made the turn and
added birdies on each of Nos. 10-13 and
another on the par-3 17th for good measure
– one-putting eight of his final nine holes
and making a record-tying 10 birdies in the
round. It was his fifth win on TOUR.
Lahiri, who was the 54-hole leader, also
birdied the 17th and needed one more on
18 to tie Smith, but his approach came up
short of the green. Paul Casey finished
third at 11 under while Kevin Kisner (10
under) and Keegan Bradley (9 under)
n 2022 Cameron Smith started both his front and back nines at TPC Sawgrass with four straight birdies on route to a final-round 66
rounded out the top five. It was a week
unlike any other at THE PLAYERS, with
weather wreaking havoc on the best players
to Dubai Rankings at year’s end. The top Among the first-timers at TPC Sawgrass is
in the world. The first round alone lasted
10 players on the Race to Dubai, not Tom Kim, who was a star at last fall’s
more than 54 hours. It was the first
already exempt, will earn PGA TOUR Presidents Cup and won twice in the back
Monday finish at THE PLAYERS since
cards for the following season … Justin half of 2022. He was the first player since
Fred Funk’s victory in 2005.
Suh earned a start at TPC Sawgrass after Tiger Woods to win twice on TOUR before
The Players Championship .
finishing atop the Korn Ferry Tour’s 2022 turning 21 … Ben Taylor, the only player
March 9 - 12, 2023 season-long standings. If not otherwise missing from the top 50 on the FedExCup, HOW TO WATCH
TPC Sawgrass exempt, the winners of this week’s Arnold has a valid excuse: his wedding … Fingers
Ponte Verde Beach, Florida Palmer Invitational presented by are crossed for a traditional PLAYERS Television: Thursday-Friday, 12 p.m.-6
Purse - $25,000,000 Mastercard and Puerto Rico Open will Championship cadence in 2023. The event p.m. (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 1
Winners share - $4,500,000 round out the field. was canceled in 2020, had a significantly p.m.-6 p.m. (NBC)
Defending Champ - Cameron Smith FEDEXCUP: Winner 600 FedExCup pts. reduced fan capacity in 2021, and last year Radio: Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
COURSE: TPC Sawgrass (Stadium), required a Monday finish after torrential ET. Saturday-Sunday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. (PGA
By Adam Stanley 7,275 yards, par 72. Built in 1980, THE rain early in the week. TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and
TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS PLAYERS Stadium Course has long been 72-HOLE RECORD: 264, Greg Norman PexcelGATOUR.com/liveaudio)
Stadium Course) will once again play host considered one of the best and trickiest lay- (1994).
to the most prominent field on the PGA outs on TOUR. Pete Dye’s masterpiece
TOUR, as the world’s best look to add an underwent a renovation in 2016, and the
iconic title to their trophy case. par-4 12th was made drivable the following
FIELD NOTES: Forty-nine of the top 50 year.
players on the current FedExCup Playoffs Effective this year, a new back tee on
and Eligibility Points List will compete, as the par-5 ninth could make for the first
well as 43 of the top 50 on the Official 600-yard hole in PLAYERS Championship
World Golf Ranking … Eight PLAYERS history.
winners and six FedExCup champions will STORYLINES: The evolving battle for
tee it up, led by 2019 PLAYERS champion the world’s No. 1 ranking will continue at
and reigning FedExCup titleholder Rory TPC Sawgrass with McIlroy looking to
McIlroy … All 14 players who have won capture his second PLAYERS while Scottie
on TOUR this season will be at TPC Scheffler and current No. 1 Jon Rahm
Sawgrass … At least 30 players will com- chase their first Tiffany & Co. trophy …
pete in their first PLAYERS, including Min There has never been a repeat winner of
Woo Lee, who earned a spot via the top 50 THE PLAYERS … This is the season’s
on the world ranking after The Honda first event to offer 600 FedExCup points to
Classic. The brother of Minjee Lee (No. 3 the winner, while the top TOUR pros will
in the Rolex Women’s World Golf compete for a record $4.5 million first-
Rankings) is looking to acquire PGA place check from a $25 million purse …
TOUR status via the DP World Tour’s Race
Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 21 - Issue 28 | March 10, 2023 - March 16, 2023 7
Nine Things to Know: TPC Sawgrass
amphitheater at the Stadium Course.
Thousands of fans congregate on the spec-
tator mounds to watch players take on one
of golf’s most famous holes. Dye’s original
plans didn’t call for the course’s penulti-
mate hole to have an island green, though.
The 17th was supposed to be a peninsula
with a lake guarding the right side of the
green. However, the 17th hole also was the
site of the property’s best sand, which they
used around the course. The more they
excavated, the larger the gulf grew.
“Pretty soon there wasn’t anything left
but this little old place to put the pin,”
Beman said in “Golf’s Driving Force.”
The next part of the story has become
part of Dye lore. “We have a big problem,”
Pete told his wife, Alice. “I only have 17
holes out there.”
It was her idea to make the green an
island.
“She said to me, ‘Throw a bulkhead out
in the middle of it and put some sand and
dirt on top of it,’ Dye said. “A light went
on and that’s exactly what happened.”
Despite being a short hole with a relatively
large green, Dye knew that it would
become one of the most intimidating holes
in golf.
TPC Sawgrass was a revolutionary golf course when it opened “We had created a hole that was planted
in the player’s mind from the very first
By Sean Martin big as your arm,” Beman said in the book “I finally had to submit a complete set tee,” Dye said.
THE PLAYERS Championship is upon “Golf’s Driving Force.” Dye estimated that of plans for the Stadium Course,” Dye Mark Calcavecchia, a 13-time PGA
us, and it means another week to appreciate they killed 70 rattlesnakes during construc- wrote in his autobiography. “I suppose TOUR winner, compared the hole to a 3
the genius of Pete Dye and Deane Beman. tion, and “all of them were 5 to 6 inches Deane’s bankers must have been afraid I p.m. root canal.
THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC around.” would kick off midway through the job and “All day, you know it’s coming,” he
Sawgrass was designed to offer an unparal- 2. SKETCHERS they would be left with half a golf course.” said. “But that doesn’t make it any easier
leled spectator experience while testing the That $1 check – dated Feb. 1, 1979 -- 3. STADIUM GOLF when it’s finally time to confront it.” The
strongest field in golf with a pure test that isn’t the only memento from TPC So, what is stadium golf? It’s an archi- 17th is sandwiched between the short, par-
doesn’t favor any single style of play. Sawgrass’ early days that hangs in the tecture philosophy with the fan in mind. 5 16th and a punishing finishing hole. That
Dye’s design culminates with a dramatic course’s clubhouse. Large spectator mounds give gallery mem- closing stretch, which can create large
finish that includes one of the game’s most There’s also a placemat that was the bers an unobstructed view of the action. swings in scoring, was designed to encour-
famous holes. canvas for Dye’s first sketches of the Holes that run parallel to each other, and age dramatic finishes.
Let’s dive in and take a closer look at course. He quickly laid out a rudimentary return to the clubhouse, create hubs of “I wanted the finish to be iconic,”
the annual venue for THE PLAYERS plan after hearing Beman’s vision for the activity where fans can see multiple holes Beman said.
Championship. stadium golf concept. at once without walking miles. 5. FAIR AND BALANCED
1. A DOLLAR AND A DREAM Building a unique course was key to Beman knew first-hand how hard it was THE PLAYERS Stadium Course wasn’t
PGA TOUR Commissioner Deane giving THE PLAYERS Championship its to watch a golf tournament. The Phoenix just built with fans in mind, though.
Beman purchased the 415 acres on which own identity and adding prestige to the Open was the first event he attended after Beman, a four-time PGA TOUR winner,
TPC Sawgrass was built for just $1. Talk PGA TOUR’s flagship event, which started becoming Commissioner in 1974. He also wanted it to be a fair test that didn’t
about a bargain. in 1974 and had been played on four differ- stayed outside the ropes to get a fan’s-eye favor any single style of play.
Beman’s vision for the course, and the ent courses before finding its permanent view. Beman, who stood 5-foot-7, often That desire can be seen from the start of
tournament it would host, convinced the home at TPC Sawgrass. had trouble seeing the action. He noticed the round. Beman didn’t want a player’s
owners to hand the land over for next to “Deane decided that the way to build that some fans brought stepladders for a tee time to give him an advantage, so he
nothing. The site was a heavily-wooded this championship and make it significant better view. Others bought periscopes. ensured that each side of TPC Sawgrass
swamp, which made the creation of TPC in the eyes of the professionals and the “I’m looking through the back of some has an equitable start. The first and 10th
Sawgrass an adventurous process. press was not to compete with the other head, trying to figure out who is doing holes are relatively similar par 4s. The first
“When I first inspected the proposed majors but to create a separate identity,” what,” Beman said in “Golf’s Driving hole measures 423 yards. The 10th is one
site for (TPC Sawgrass), my only compa- Dye wrote in his autobiography. “In his Force.” “I said to myself, ‘Wow, can you yard longer. The first hole promotes a fade
triots in the impenetrable swampy jungle opinion, this is just exactly what the con- imagine coming out here and walking 5 off the tee and a draw into the green. The
were deer, alligators, wild boar and deadly cept of stadium golf could accomplish.” miles to watch this?’” 10th hole curves right-to-left before bend-
snakes,” Dye said. Dye eventually submitted more exten- TPC Sawgrass was built on flat ground, ing left-to-right.
He encountered a snake before he even sive plans, but often deviated from them. so the spectator mounds were built with the The second hole of each side is a reach-
started building the course. When he dug a He was a creative genius who often impro- soil that was excavated to create the able par 5. Both holes call for a draw off
hole to test the soil, a large water moccasin vised. The course’s most famous hole – the course’s water hazards. the tee and a left-to-right shot into the
popped out of the hole. island-green 17th – is one prominent exam- 4. ISLAND OF ADVENTURE green.
“It must have been 5 feet long and as ple. We’ll get to that later. The 17th hole is the most famous Nos. 1 and 10 run in opposite directions,
8 March 10, 2023 - March 16, 2023 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 21 Issue 28 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com
course is overseeded for March, as well. harsh, though. Ben Crenshaw called it
That means the rough is lusher, but the “Star Wars golf, designed by Darth Vader.”
course may play softer. Northeast Florida After missing the cut, Jack Nicklaus said,
can get cold, dry conditions in March, but “I’ve never been very good at stopping a 5-
it also can receive lots of rain. iron on the hood of a car.”
The wind is more unpredictable in Peter Jacobsen, who now calls the tourna-
March. The final two holes often played ment for NBC Sports, finished 27th in the
downwind in May, but the wind often first PLAYERS at TPC Sawgrass.
blows in the opposite direction in March. “I said Pete, ‘When I get done playing
“I think that's the way it was designed and I retire from the TOUR, I’m going to
to be played. And whether it's firm or soft, go into golf course design because I know
it plays much better with that kind of over- I’ll have a thriving business rebuilding
seed ryegrass and bent greens,” said Adam every one of your courses,'” Jacobsen said
Scott, who won the 2004 PLAYERS in with a laugh. “He got the biggest kick out
March. of that. He asked, ‘You don’t like the
9. REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN course?’ I said, ‘Let’s put it this way. It’s
TPC Sawgrass was a revolutionary golf just different.’ He said, ‘Good, that’s what
course when it opened. It was the rare I’m going for.’
championship course that was accessible to “I really respect Pete Dye because he
the public, and players were not accus- doesn’t take criticism personally. He really
tomed to a course that was so visually wants to play with your mind. He likes to
intimidating and so penal for misplayed really put pressure on you mentally and
shots. test your patience.”
That’s why players revolted during the TOUR players are creatures of habit,
1982 PLAYERS Championship, the first though, and the Stadium Course may have
Just five players have won multiple times at TPC Sawgrass
one played at TPC Sawgrass. Dye’s inten- been too revolutionary, Dye later admitted.
tions weren’t to drive the players insane. "Looking back, I realized that the radical
with the second and 11th holes turning when one player can be going for 63 while He wanted to give them a course that design of the (Stadium) Course was too
back toward the clubhouse. This ensures six others are struggling for 78,” Dye said. allowed them to show their skills. new for the TOUR professionals," Dye
that the wind doesn’t disadvantage players 7. WORTH THE WAIT “We tried to create a golf course to wrote in his autobiography. "They had
starting on one half of the course. The Stadium Course’s democratic bring out all their shots, all their great never seen anything like it."
6. THE SPICE OF LIFE nature is displayed in the fact that just five shots, that the professionals are capable of Now Dye’s design is one of the most
TPC Sawgrass also asks players to hit a players have won multiple times at TPC hitting,” Dye said. iconic courses on TOUR.
variety of shots. Holes bend in both direc- Sawgrass: Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Players thought the course was too
tions so that one trajectory isn’t favored off Davis Love III, Steve Elkington and Hal
the tee. Sutton. It’s an impressive group.
“Nearly all the par 4s are s-shaped,” All five are major champions. Couples,
said famed architect Tom Doak, who Love and Woods are in the World Golf Hall
interned with Dye. “Pete was big on bal- of Fame.
ance, so he was big on getting both the The two-time winners at TPC Sawgrass
fade and the draw in play.” had to wait an average of 11.6 years
The four par 3s also offer a myriad of between victories, though. This is further
challenges. The 17th is a short hole with a proof that the course doesn’t favor any type
high degree of risk. Nos. 3 and 13 are two of player.
holes of moderate length – measuring 177 Elkington is the only player who didn’t
and 181 yards, respectively – that require have to wait more than a decade between
accurate mid-iron shots. And the eighth victories at the Stadium Course. He won
hole is a 237-yard brute that asks players to THE PLAYERS in 1991 and 1997. Love
hit a long iron, or more, into a large, but won in 1992 and 2003. Couples (1984,
receptive, green. ’96) and Woods (2001, ’13) both waited 12
The par-5 16th, which measures 523 years between wins, while Sutton’s two
yards, is easily reachable for the majority PLAYERS wins were 17 years apart.
of the field, but they must be willing to No one has won more than two times
take a risk to hit the green in two. Nos. 2 on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course.
and 11 are medium-length par 5s that still 8. ON THE MARCH
offer eagle chances, while the ninth hole is In 2019, THE PLAYERS
much more difficult. Many players will Championship returned to March after a
play the hole as a three-shoter. 12-year stint in May. There is a greater
TPC Sawgrass’ par 4s range in length variety in scoring when the tournament is
from the 302-yard 12th to the 481-yard played at an earlier date.
14th. There are three par 4s under 400 The winning score was double-digits
yards and three that measure 470 yards or under par in 11 of the 12 years THE
longer. PLAYERS was contested in May. The win-
“(The course) doesn't really suit any ner shot between 11 and 15 under par in
style of game,” said 2019 champion Rory eight of those years.
McIlroy, “but everyone feels like it's a In March, the winning score has ranged
challenge.” from 3 under to 24 under. David Duval
There’s also a fine line between success shot 3 under to win the 1999 PLAYERS,
and failure at TPC Sawgrass. That explains while Greg Norman set the tournament
why no one has been able to have consis- scoring record in 1994.
tent success at THE PLAYERS. The scores are more unpredictable in
“The mark of a good golf course is March because the weather is fickle. The
Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 21 - Issue 28 | March 10, 2023 - March 16, 2023 9
New faces in The Players spotlight
extremely high and get to a lot of pins that
most players out here can’t get to.
“Then I think mostly I admire a lot of
their competitiveness,” he added. “I think
that’s what you see from the guys that are
able to make it to the top numerous times.”
That competitiveness was in evidence
when McIlroy won the TOUR
Championship last summer. He began the
tournament six behind then-FedExCup No.
1 Scheffler; started triple-bogey, bogey to
fall 10 behind; was six back going into the
final round – and yet still won, shooting 66
for his historic third FedExCup. And when
he captured THE CJ CUP in South
Carolina in the fall, he had climbed all the
way back to world No. 1, a journey he
called immensely gratifying.
He got slightly off with his driver on the
West Coast Swing, made a mid-tournament
Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy have broken from the pack switch at The Genesis but began to figure it
out at Bay Hill.
Mr. Consistent
A new ‘Big Three’ gets THE PLAYERS McIlroy has hoisted the trophy, winning in Green and scrambling (14/16) and success- Rahm, 28, is perhaps most consistent,
spotlight 2019, when Rahm’s final-round 76 dropped fully defended his title. last week notwithstanding. Just look to his
him to a tie for 12th. Scheffler has a “Scottie, I would say he has a great abil- recent results – five wins in eight starts
By Cameron Morfit missed cut (2021) and a T55 (last year) at ity to post a really good score,” said Rahm, worldwide heading into Bay Hill – and the
Jon Rahm lost it to Scottie Scheffler, TPC Sawgrass. It seems likely that one or who lost, 4 and 3, to Scheffler at the 2021 way he won The Genesis. It was at Riviera
who lost it to Rory McIlroy, who lost it to more of them will be in the hunt for the Ryder Cup. “There’s a lot of times where that Homa pulled even and then one ahead
Scheffler, who lost it to Rahm again. trophy this week, or any week. I've played with him and maybe it doesn't through 12 holes, but Rahm birdied the
The No. 1 spot in the Official World At last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational look the prettiest, but you end up the round 14th and 16th holes for a 69 to beat Homa
Golf Ranking (OWGR) has been a slippery presented by Mastercard, McIlroy’s missed and, oh, 67. It’s pretty remarkable.” (68) by two.
bingo ball, but one of those three has had it birdie try from 10 1/2 feet on the last hole At the World Golf Championships-Dell “Other than Tiger and I don’t even
since July 18, 2021. left him in a two-way tie for second, a shot Technologies Match Play last year, in the know,” Homa said, “he’s the most consis-
“Rory, Jon and Scottie are kind of in a behind first-time winner Kurt Kitayama. championship match against Kevin Kisner, tent player I’ve seen.”
league of their own at times,” Max Homa Scheffler (T4) bogeyed 18 when he needed Scheffler scooped a chip shot into a green- Keep in mind, Homa had beat back the
said after losing to Rahm at The Genesis a birdie, finishing two back. Rahm didn’t side bunker at the par-5 12th hole. It field and a cold rain at the Wells Fargo
Invitational last month, “and it’s just our contend, taking the first-round lead with a looked like the door was opening for Championship last May; had chipped in on
job to go and catch them.” 65 but fading (76-76-72) to a T39 finish. Kisner, but Scheffler holed out from the 18 to wrest the Fortinet Championship tro-
Is this the new Big Three? A modern- Rahm, Scheffler, and McIlroy – that latter bunker, slamming it shut. phy from an unnerved Danny Willet in the
day Arnie, Jack, and Gary Player? Too two could have retaken the top spot with a Scottie Scheffler holes out from bunker fall; and had worn down even the irrepress-
early to tell. Still, Rahm, Scheffler and win – still hold down the first three spots in for birdie at WGC-Dell Match Play ible Tom Kim in a Presidents Cup singles
McIlroy have broken away from the pack. the OWGR, respectively. And, like last It was the same story at the Masters victory a week later. And Homa himself
Rahm has four TOUR wins and two DP week, any of the three could be No. 1 Tournament, too. At the par-4 third hole, was hot, coming off a third-place finish at
World Tour victories in the last 13 months. when THE PLAYERS ends on Sunday. Scheffler’s lead was down to one when he the Sentry Tournament of Champions and
Scheffler has notched all five of his PGA Combine them into a composite super- chipped in for another unlikely birdie to victory at the Farmers Insurance Open, a
TOUR wins, including the Masters, in that golfer and you get Scottie McIlrahm, an reassert control. win that made him a close fourth to the top
span, winning the 2022 PGA TOUR Player apex terminator. He plays out of Northern How does he do it? A great set of hands trio in the game.
of the Year award for his efforts. McIlroy Texirland, Spain, and is married (all three) and an iron will. You couldn’t be more consistent than
has compiled three TOUR wins, a with no kids (Scheffler), one kid (McIlroy), “His attitude I think is one of the best Homa, or so it seemed until Rahm won
FedExCup title, and a DP World Tour win. two kids (Rahm). He chips in for birdie out here,” McIlroy said. The Genesis.
McIlroy ended 2022 as the first player just when he looks wobbly (Scheffler), Ultimate driving machine “I’m never too far off, honestly,” Rahm
to end a year by concurrently holding the inspires both awe and dread with his driv- McIlroy, 33 and the elder statesman of said at the Sentry Tournament of
FedExCup, DP World Tour’s points title ing (McIlroy), and, other than Bay Hill last the three, has the most TOUR wins (23), Champions in January, when he revealed
and top spot in the world ranking. Rahm week, is so freakishly consistent (Rahm) as the most majors (four) – the others have that he battled his swing last season despite
quickly became the story of this year by to look unbeatable. one apiece – the most PLAYERS (one), the eight top-10 finishes, including a win.
winning his first two starts (Sentry The scrambler most FedExCups (a record-setting three) “With the swing mechanics I have it’s
Tournament of Champions, The American Scheffler, 26, has the funkiest move, his and the most jaw-dropping move with the never a big, big change.”
Express). Then Scheffler successfully right foot shooting back at impact as if he’s driver. Not for nothing is he the PGA “They have both been relentless,”
defended the WM Phoenix Open last wearing a roller skate. But when he looks TOUR Driving Distance leader. McIlroy said of Rahm and Scheffler.
month to regain the top spot in the world, like he’s backsliding – literally or figura- “When he's firing on all cylinders, it’s a Relentless. Awe-inspiring. Clutch. Scottie
only for Rahm to wrest it from him a week tively – he rarely is. He hit just 10 fairways thing of beauty,” Rahm said. “The way he McIlrahm has been all these things,
later by winning The Genesis Invitational, all weekend at the WM Phoenix Open last hits the ball and his ball flight off the tee, demanding your attention and that of the
his third win in five starts. month, a no-no at TPC Scottsdale. But especially, is quite unique.” world ranking mathletes. THE PLAYERS
The three will make up a marquee group while playing from the cacti, he led the Added Scheffler, of McIlroy and Rahm: Championship awaits.
at THE PLAYERS Championship. Only field in Strokes Gained: Approach the “They both have the ability to hit the ball
10 March 10, 2023 - March 16, 2023 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 21 Issue 28 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.comAmateur Hour on 17: ‘Fly the Kirkland’
the good news. sorts, with the best of the best.
The bad news was that nearly half of The pros will once again be in action at
the amateurs, 46 players, made double THE PLAYERS this week, and no doubt
bogey or worse. Over a quarter (28%) they will once again shine, especially with
made quadruple bogey or worse. A total of that 130-yard carry over water on 17. You
34 players hit at least two balls in the imagine the amateurs will be watching
water, and 10 deposited three in the soup. from home, nodding in recognition, and
There were so many balls flying into the telling anyone within earshot: I’ve been
drink it recalled the confused birds dive- there.
bombing Boise State’s blue football field.
Fly the Kirkland, indeed. Statistical breakdown of the par-3 17th
“There’s just no there’s no error or no for the 2021 Players Championship:
margin for error,” Achez said. “You either Final round:
hit a good shot or it’s in the water, period. • Actual yardage: 130 yards
It’s not a hard shot, but you got to hit it in • Scoring average: 3.05 (13th hardest
the middle of club face, and you got it at hole on the course)
the right distance, and you got to hit it • 13 birdies, 50 pars, 9 bogeys, 4 dbles
straight.” • Green in regulation: 64/76
Comparing the amateurs’ misfortunes to • Average distance to the pin: 24 ft
the pros’ stats presents a stark contrast. • Closest to the pin: 2 ft 3 in.
Over the last decade at THE PLAYERS, • Water balls: 4
with the average competitive round consist- • Longest putt: 51 ft
ing of 109 attempts, the pros have averaged • One putts: 20
only 13 water balls and nine double-bogeys • Three putts: 7
Amateurs vs. Island Green at TPC Sawgrass before THE PLAYERS
or worse. Third round:
Take a moment to let that sink in – 102 • Actual yardage: 129 yards
A recent data capture quantified ama- world's best play the 17th,” said statistician water balls (amateurs) versus only 13 • Scoring average: 3.316 (6th
teurs’ struggles at the 17th hole at TPC Alex Turnbull, Senior Director, (pros). hardest hole on the course)
Sawgrass, and it’s probably worse than Broadcasting Production, PGA TOUR And keep in mind, the pros are playing • 16 birdies, 37 pars, 13 bogeys, 7 dou-
you imagined media, “combined with my own experience the hole in front of 20,000 people, plus bles and 3 others
playing the hole, I knew the comparisons millions more watching at home, with stag- • Green in regulation: 61/76
By Cameron Morfit between the two would be dramatic. gering sums at stake. Their average over • Average distance to the pin: 22 ft, 7 in
You’ve watched THE PLAYERS “Most fans at home watching THE the last 10 years also factors in wild, windy • Closest to the pin: 6 in.
Championship or played the Stadium PLAYERS on TV have probably thought to days that were borderline unplayable, like • Water balls: 17
Course at TPC Sawgrass, so you’re aware themselves that it’s just a simple 9-iron or Saturday of last year. • Longest putt: 44 ft, 6 in.
that one could fill a pond with the numer- wedge,” Turnbull continued. “After seeing Their exploits are legend—Rickie • One putts: 20
ous ways amateurs and professionals play 102 balls go in the water in one day it’s so Fowler’s three Sunday birdies on 17 as he • Three putts: 9
the 17th hole differently. much more than that.” won in a playoff in 2015; Fred Couples Second round:
But now it can be quantified. The PGA Yes, you read that right: 102 water balls. holing out for par from the drop zone in • Actual yardage: 147 yards
TOUR followed 95 amateurs as they Wait. Weren’t there only 95 players? 1999—and the amateurs reverently recalled • Scoring average: 3.00 (T7 hardest
played 17 on a sun-splashed day in Yes, there were. their favorite PLAYERS moments. hole on the course)
January. Breeze: light. Idea: Monitor the Playing the 17th is daunting for any Would they be able to pull the club back • 1 hole-in-one, 24 birdies, 99 pars, 12
action, capture the data, crunch the num- amateur, no matter the day. There’s no bail- under such pressure? bogeys and 7 doubles
bers, and behold the vast gulf between the out; the hole’s scaffolding and stands go up “Absolutely not,” said Will Calderhouse, • Green in regulation: 115/141 (three
pros and the amateurs. well in advance of the tournament (they who was playing 17 for the first time, hit players withdrew)
And what a gulf it is. were up on this day), creating a stadium- an 8-iron to 15 feet, and birdied it. “Your • Ave. distance to the pin: 27 ft, 10 in
“I went in the water very quickly,” like effect; and there’s a flurry of activity hands shake when you’ve got just the four- • Closest to the pin: Hole-in-one
Bobby Moses said, a call that in the annals on the tee – players taking photos and some with you.” • Water balls: 9
of island green pith now must rival Dan video, their caddies take photos and video, The amateurs moved on, no doubt rins- • Longest putt: 36 ft, 3 in.
Hicks’ “Better than Most” (See: Woods, and everyone cheering each other on. ing a few more balls at the Stadium’s 18th • One putts: 30
Tiger, 2001). On the data-capture day, though, there hole before retiring to the clubhouse grill. • Three putts: 6
“I’m thinking get out my cheap ball and were even more cameras and people at the The day was done, the data captured. In the Opening round:
fly the Kirkland and put the Pro V1 in the pretty, dazzler of a par 3, which could have end, it didn’t matter so much how many • Actual yardage: 123 yards
bag,” TPC Sawgrass regular Chris Achez further exacerbated the carnage. water balls had been hit on 17, or who hit • Scoring average: 2.861 (14th hardest
said. He also found the water. Of the 95 players, there were just three them. In gaining a new appreciation for the hole on the course)
Said Kyle Trainer, who hit the green but birdies, 23 pars, and 12 bogeys. That was hole, the amateurs had forged a bond, of • 37 birdies, 96 pars, 5 bogeys and 6
three-putted: “It was not better than most.” doubles
A total of 26 groups took on the hole. It STAT COMPARISON ON 17 • Green in regulation: 129/144
was 72 degrees with a light wind, the tee Amateur Day vs. The Average Round at THE PLAYERS • Average distance to the pin: 18 ft, 4 in
shot calling for a 130-yard forced carry (as • Closest to the pin: 2 ft, 4 in by
during THE PLAYERS) to a front-left pin. Stat Pro Average/Rd* Am Day Byeong-Hun An
Assuming there isn’t much wind, the hole # of Attempts 109 95 • Water balls: 6
is a routine flip wedge for the pros. Total Balls in H2O 13 102 • Longest putt: 28 ft, 4 in.
For the amateurs, many of whom were Players with Multiple Balls in H2O 3 34 • One putts: 46
playing the hole for the first time, well… Stroke Average 3.11 5.37 • Three putts: 4
“Knowing what I know about how the Doubles or Worse 9 57
Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 21 - Issue 28 | March 10, 2023 - March 16, 2023 11COLLEGES NCAA TOURNAMENT
March Madness bracket predictions
Arizona has eight Quad 1 victories;
same as UCLA. The Wildcats split two reg-
ular-season meetings with the Bruins. Will
there be a rubber match in the Pac-12 tour-
nament?
No. 3 seeds
*Marquette (25-6, 17-3 Big East)
Resume: Net: 13, KenPom: 13.
Marquette takes a six-game winning
streak into the Big East tournament and is
very much in the mix for a No. 2 seed.
+Gonzaga (28-5, 14-2 WCC)
Resume: Net: 9, KenPom: 10. The
Bulldogs beat Saint Mary's 77-51 in the
West Coast Conference championship
game and are a dangerous team in this
tournament.
Kansas State (23-8, 11-7 Big 12)
Resume: Net: 17, KenPom: 18.
The Wildcats have nine Quad 1 victories
and just one loss in Quads 2-4. That likely
will keep them on this line no matter what
happens in the conference tournament.
Xavier (23-8, 15-5 Big East)
Resume: Net: 22, KenPom: 16.
The Musketeers fit well on this line
despite the bad news that leading rebound-
er Zach Freemantle will not return this sea-
son. They have seven Quad 1 victories and
The NCAA Tournament starts March 14
swept the regular-season series with UCon
No. 4 seeds
March Madness bracket predictions 7.0: victory against Boston College in the ACC *Alabama (26-5, 16-2 SEC) UConn (24-7, 13-7 Big East)
Projecting the Field of 68 for 2023 tournament. Oklahoma State beat Resume: Net: 2, KenPom: 3. Resume: Net: 6, KenPom: 4.
NCAA Tournament Oklahoma 57-49 in the Big 12 tournament. The Crimson Tide have nine Quad 1 The Huskies are 18-1 outside of Quad
Right now, Penn State, Oklahoma State, victories and the No. 1 seed in the SEC 1, and that pairs well with their Net/
By Bill Bender Mississippi State and Utah State are our tournament. Alabama was 11-5 on the KenPom combination.
Conference tournaments are in full last four in. North Carolina, Michigan, road; a factor worth considering ahead of Tennessee (22-9, 11-7 SEC)
swing, and with each day a few more auto- Arizona State and Vanderbilt are our first the neutral-site tournament. Resume: Net: 3, KenPom: 5.
matic bids to the Big Dance will be decid- four out. *UCLA (27-4, 18-2 Pac-12) The Vols are 10-9 in Quads 1-2, but it
ed. Who is our Field of 68? Here is a closer Resume: Net: 4, KenPom: 2. has been a gradual slide to a No. 4 seed.
Which teams will make the 2023 look: The Bruins' 82-73 victory against The Volunteers are 4-6 in their last 10
NCAA men's basketball tournament? With No. 1 seeds Arizona bumps them up to the No. 1 line. games.
that in mind, here is a look at the latest *Kansas (25-6, 13-4 Big 12) UCLA has 16 victories between Quads 1-2, Indiana (21-10, 12-8 Big Ten)
Field of 68. We will update the Field of 68 Resume: Net: 7, KenPom: 9. which is one more than Purdue. Resume: Net: 28, KenPom: 30.
each day this week to monitor all the The Jayhawks have piled up an NCAA- No. 2 seeds The Hoosiers split their last six games,
bracket movement. best 15 victories in Quad 1, and a 10th Big *Purdue (26-5, 15-5 Big Ten) but they finished with a much-needed 75-
This year's Final Four is April 1-3 at 12 tournament championship under Bill Resume: Net: 5, KenPom: 6. 73 overtime victory against Michigan.
NRG Stadium in Houston. Self would clinch the No. 1 overall seed. The Boilermakers split their last six *Virginia (23-6, 15-5 ACC)
Houston, Alabama, Kansas and UCLA *Houston (29-2, 17-1 American) games, which opened the door for UCLA. Resume: Net: 30, KenPom: 36.
are No. 1 seeds, but Purdue is in the mix Resume: Net: 1, KenPom: 1. Purdue could still get a No. 1 seed with a The Cavaliers split the ACC regular-
heading into the Big Ten tournament. The Cougars have a compelling case for run in the Big Ten tournament. season championship with Miami. Virginia
The bubble had some movement the No. 1 overall seed. A 3-1 record against Texas (23-8, 12-6 Big 12) split its last four games.
Wednesday. Ohio State beat Wisconsin 65- Quad 1 opponents means Houston likely Resume: Net: 10, KenPom: 8. No. 5 seeds
57 in the Big Ten tournament, and North will have to prove it in the NCAA tourna- The Longhorns beat Kansas 75-59 on Miami (24-6, 15-5 ACC)
Carolina held on to its hopes with a 85-61 ment. Saturday and improved to 15-8 against Resume: Net: 35, KenPom: 37.
teams in Quads 1-2. The ACC champions have an 11-4
Last Four In First Four Out Next Four Out Baylor (22-9, 11-7 Big 12) record in Quads 1-2, and they have stuck
Penn State North Carolina Wisconsin Resume: Net: 12, KenPom: 14. on this line for the last few weeks.
Oklahoma State Michigan Nevada The Bears have an almost-identical Texas A&M (23-8, 15-3 SEC)
Mississippi State Arizona State Clemson resume to the Longhorns. Baylor is 15-9 Resume: Net: 23, KenPom: 24.
Utah State Vanderbilt Oregon against Quads 1-2. This might get settled at The Aggies have pieced together a phe-
+-Clinched tournament berth the Big 12 tournament. nomenal season in conference play, and the
* - Projected automatic bid Arizona (25-6, 14-6 Pac-12) season-ending victory against Alabama was
**- Last Four In Resume: Net: 11, KenPom: 11. a nice topper.
12 March 10, 2023 - March 16, 2023 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 21 Issue 28 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.comYou can also read
