Do They Believe in Miracles?
A No. 16 seed has never beaten a No. 1. Which of this year's four has the best chance of making history?
Central Connecticut State is hoping to become the first No. 16 seed ever to beat a No. 1 seed.
(By Jessica Hill -- Associated Press)
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Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Eighteen years ago, it appeared it actually was going to happen. Bob Scrabis, the Princeton captain, lined up the shot that would topple big, bad Georgetown, the best men's basketball team the country. Eight seconds remained. The Hoyas led by a point.
Scrabis had taken this shot hundreds of times before in his driveway as a kid, always the last shot he took before his mother called him inside. Scrabis always made sure he made it, at least once, before heading for dinner.
"But in that case," Scrabis said, "you don't have a 6-10 guy blocking your shot."
Seemingly from nowhere came Alonzo Mourning, who swatted Scrabis's would-be game-winner out of bounds. He did the same thing on the next play to Kit Mueller. Time ran out, the Hoyas advanced, 50-49, and Princeton headed back home, with newfound fame but no victory.
And 18 years later, a No. 16 seed still hasn't beaten a No. 1 seed in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
Parity has invaded college basketball. George Mason can make the Final Four. Programs such as Gonzaga and Southern Illinois can ascend to perennial power status. But No. 16 seeds are 0-88 since the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985. It's been grass vs. a lawnmower, David without the slingshot.
When the NCAA tournament begins tomorrow, Jackson State, Eastern Kentucky, Central Connecticut State and Niagara -- which defeated Florida A&M in the play-in game last night -- will become the latest No. 16 seeds to try to become the first to win a tournament game.
Despite the bleak history, there is a growing sense that one of them could win this season, and if not them, then a team like them in a season to come. The 16 vs. 1 game may be the final vestige of dominance the haves of college basketball can cling to as the have-nots storm the castle gates, but how much longer can they hold on to it?
"It's going to happen at some point," said Scrabis, now a financial adviser in New Jersey. "It's gotta happen."
Maryland Coach Gary Williams: "I don't think it's here yet. But I would say within five years."
Albany Coach Will Brown: "It's going to happen. It's just a matter of time."
Brown almost made it happen last season, when his Great Danes led top-seeded Connecticut by 12 in the second half before the Huskies "turned it on," Albany point guard Jamar Wilson said. Such is the challenge for a No. 16 seed. No matter how well it plays, the disparity in talent can strike at any moment. There is always a 6-foot-10 guy waiting to block a shot.
