Just got back from Boston to see the Women's Basketball Final Four. While the semifinals were kind of weak (especially theDuke-LSU match-up), the final was one of the most exciting basketball games I have seen in a really long time. While I have some problems with the officiating, the really great thing about it was that they played defense all day during this game, rather than just when it was close to the end of the game or when it was a close in score. It was really nice to see talented players playing a team oriented game, rather than the "I want to make the ESPN highlight reel" type of play that the Men's tournament is devolving into.
The fact that the Women's final was exciting, close and damned electrifying to watch just made the contrast with the Men's final all the more depressing to think about. I don't know if it is the fact that almost all of the top notch players are going pro early or if there is something fundamentally wrong with the way basketball is being coached at the lower levels in this country, but they need to change something to make the Men's college game relevant again.
Anyway, I am thinking that next year, a trip to Cleveland for the 2007 Women's Final Four might be in order, rather than going to Atlanta for the Men's. I know I am going to have much better memories of this trip than with recent trips to the Men's finals.
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