The number of Final Four appearances the past 20 years breaks down like this: ONE Akron ® 86 American ® 85 Cal State Fullerton 93 Florida International ® 96 Fresno State 86 Howard ® 88 North Carolina State 90 Princeton 93 San Diego ® 92 San Diego State ® Southern Methodist 00 UNC-Charlotte 96 Wisconsin © 95 TWO Clemson (84, 87) - Champs in 84, 87 Connecticut (99, 00) - Champs in 00 Evansville (85, 90) Harvard (86, 87) Hartwick (84, 85) North Carolina (87, 01) – Champs in 01 Portland (88, 95) Saint Louis (91, 97) South Carolina (88, 93) - Runner-up in 93 THREE Creighton (96, 00, 02) - Runner-up in 00 Duke (86, 92, 95) – Champs in 86, runner-up in 95 Maryland (98, 02, 03) Rutgers (89, 90, 94) – Runner-up in 90 St. John’s (96, 01, 03) – Champs in 96; runner up in 03 Stanford (98, 01, 02) – Runners-up in 98, 02 FIVE Santa Clara (89, 91 98, 99, 03) – Champs in 89*; runner-up in 91, 99 SEVEN UCLA (84, 85, 90, 94, 97, 99, 02) – Champs in 85, 90, 97, 02 Virginia (89, 91-95, 97) – Champs in 89*, 91-94; runner-up in 97 ELVEN Indiana (84, 88, 89, 91, 94, 97-01, 03) – Champs in 88, 98, 99, 03; runner-up in 84, 94, 01
For IU supporters that is amazing. (and I am one) But what is also amazing is that every player that has gone to IU has appeared in at least one final four. And that pertains to the varsity years obvioulsy. This makes it alot easier to recruit the best when they know they will be in the final four at least once in their careers. And with Tulsa on the horizon - it would appear this years freshmen will keep the record intact. I would imagine that Tulsa hasn't played on this stage with this crowd/stadium in the picture. And the old ball coach will be watching from the stands I am sure to pass on some wisdom to the young coach.
I'm not one to write off Tulsa yet. They seem to be very good on the attack, and with a player as special as Pore is, it can truly be a dangerous game. On the other hand, IU looks extremely strong defensively, and has an unbelievable record at home during the NCAA tournament (45-3 I think?) Oh yeah, and there will be zero true freshman to make an appearance if they make it to the final four. They were all redshirted.
I said though that every player that has gone to IU has been to a final four - not that they have played in it. And now this class will have gone to one as well. But, here is to betting that they get back at some point in the next four years after this one. They always do.
Ladies and gentleman, I present to you, the safest of bets. The current freshman at IU will make a Final Four during their four-year college career. It's like death and taxes.
I was at the UNCG - UCSB game. Such a great game. Very stressing though. I think all 2000 fans were just about crying when UCSB won in OT. I've never seen a soccer game be called that unfairly. It seemed every time one of the Spartan forwards got the ball up the field, they got fouled by a SB player, yet, no call. I counted probably 5 or 6 instances where a player was flagrantly pulled down in the box, with no call made. Again, one of the most unfairly called games I have ever seen. The refs gave UCSB the game. Ask anyone who was at the game. I talked to a UCSB fan after the game, and he said, "You guys had us beat. We should be crying right now, not your players. The refs didnt even try to call the game close." Such a disapointing way to end an amazing season at UNCG. Its not like they were "missing" calls on both sides though.
Playing at home, with the opponent a man down for practically the entire match and outshot 10-5 = no excuses. UCSB has a big, physical team and has been doing this all season....just ask the Indiana and UConn coaches. Scoreboard!