Anything is Possible

   If you type 'NCAA upset' into Google images, you will find a picture of A.J. Davis on the third row celebrating a made three in Wednesday's 68-55 over LIU Brooklyn.

  The day has come. Can James Madison University shock the world? They will literally and figuratively be climbing Mt. Indiana with a trail detour up Mt. Zeller (Cody Zeller, 7-0 center).

   This feat has never been done before. Statistically after yesterday, 1 seeds are 114-0 against the 16! It leaves you thinking what would've been if JMU had gotten to play that Gonzaga team yesterday in Salt Lake City. Southern game them a damn good run for their money and almost stole one. Louisville last night though really defined what the 1-16 matchup is usually like. NC A&T was an appetizer to them. But that A&T team isn't very good, I mean they almost didn't make it out of the First Four the other night in Dayton against a 20 loss Liberty squad! Don't even try and bring up an argument about Liberty. That was all fine and dandy that something like that happened in March, but 20 losses in the Big South is the equivalent of at least 15 losses in Upward.

   Harvard funked up people's brackets big time last night with a 14/3 upset over the Lobos in Salt Lake City. No one saw that one coming.

  Jim Nantz said yesterday that the Dukes are single handedly "the best 16 seed" he's ever seen. Although Nantz joked on Wednesday that this was his "first rodeo" we all know that is far from the truth. Maybe he was just saying to that JMU reps to ease the pain of a seemingly lopsided blowout  today. Maybe he was sincere. Maybe JMU should've been a 15 seed and then an upset over a 2 would be huge, but not historical. I'm not here to hypothesize though.

   Since October the team has been using this 'Whatever It Takes' motto. Every team has something like this. It's like a totem for success. 'Rise to the Occasion'/'Never Back Down' whatever it may be, they're used as a slogan; a team identity. That phrase will be in full effect today as they go up against Tom Crean's fundamentally sound Indian Hoosiers. They'll need to do whatever it may be to exploit this team.
 
   Maybe Gene Hackman can help.

   It's doubtful that JMU can beat Indiana in a straight up basketball game. This is based on talent. Watford, Zeller, and Oladipo all have NBA potential.

   Brady always seems to compare or reference basketball to baseball. While the game's are miles a part in differences, he may be onto something. Baseball is a strategical game. A smart person's game if you will.

   If Brady can get his team to play some 'small ball' they could be in business. It works for numerous MLB teams annually, why spread it to the hardwood. The Dukes are already down in size and up in speed so why not connect the two. Go after Zeller early and try get him on the bench with fouls. Take offensive fouls where you can.

   When JMU played Towson at home this year, Pat Skerry sent a small and frail Kris Walden (Richmond native, Henrico HS) in the game to purposely aggravate Devon Moore. The two jostled and locked arms one time down the court miles from the ball and Moore was whistled for a foul, his fourth of the game. These are small tactics that win you games.

   My necessities to today's game:

   Devon Moore- 10pts/10 assists. Lead this team like he's done all season. No fear.

   A.J. Davis- 25+ points. Selective, but lethal from the perimeter

   Andre Nation-DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE...MORE DEFENSE and throw in 10 pts
and some boards for good measure #ZipEmUp

   Charles Cooke- the utility man. Play a game very similar to Wednesday

   Rayshawn Goins- clean the glass better than windex and a squeegee. Score 15 points.

    Ron Curry- hit some clutch three pointer's down the stretch. Be selective on shots

   Alioune Diouf- fight for boards especially offensively like he's in the octagon. Be productive offensively like he has been of late. Put backs are crucial

   Taylor Bessick- work with Ray to limit Zeller's touches. Be a force inside. Hit some mid-range jumpers to drag Zeller up top clearing the lane

   If you think that a bandwagon rolled down East Broad St. back in 2011 when VCU trekked to the Final Four, wait and see how many people will be wearing purple if this colossal upset takes place this afternoon. Harrisonburg might actually implode. While the chances are very minimal, 40 minutes is just enough time for anyone to slip up. Kevin Garnett once said it, "Anything is Possible"