With one more slate of games on tap this weekend before we get down to the Final Four, here’s a breakdown of what’s in store from a classic R&B perspective.
D’Angelo vs Donny Hathaway, aka Texas Tech vs Villanova, Sunday, 2:20PM ET
Texas Tech has ascended to heights that the program has never been to before, having reached the Elite Eight for the first time ever in Red Raider history. Now all they have to do is beat the best team in the field, Villanova, to win the East Region final and advance on to the Final Four.
Texas Tech vs. Purdue: Red Raiders advance to first Elite 8
Watch the Game Highlights from Purdue Boilermakers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Watch highlights, game recaps, and much more from the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament on the official NCAA March Madness YouTube channel.
You can file that under, “Easier said than done.”
But the Red Raiders bring some supreme hunger, athleticism and versatility, all of which give them a fighter’s chance. Keenan Evans was the leader among four players to score in double figures with his 16 points as they knocked off third-seeded Purdue to bring home the program’s breakthrough Sweet 16 victory.
Texas Tech has burst through this tournament like D’Angelo, when he came out the gate strong with Brown Sugar. The question now is, can they sustain the motion that has captivated folks and could propel them towards an unanticipated crown?
Right about now, the Red Raiders are dreaming about the Final Four, crooning, “When I first saw you baby, I wanted to die. Me and those dreamin’ eyes of mine, started to cry. Then I’d dream, wishin’ my fantasy , would soon become a reality.”
D’ANGELO – ME AND THOSE DREAMIN EYES OF MINE (BROWN SUGAR)
Uploaded by MagnoliaStZay theboyofftheblock on 2011-03-01.
Villanova is gunning for their second national title in the last three years and their third all-time. They won their eighth game in a row against the rugged West Virginia Mountaineers, led by Jalen Brunson‘s vicious and precise 27 points. Omari Spellman chipped in with 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots and two steals as well.
“The physicality West Virginia played with is the same Texas Tech is going to bring with the length they have on the defensive end…they’re the same with Texas Tech that brings a lot of athleticism as well,” Villanova’s Phil Booth, who had six points, six rebounds and four assists against West Virginia, told the media in assessing the matchup. “They’re one of the best defensive teams in the country. So a lot of physicality on the defensive end is similar to that.”
Game rewind: Watch Villanova battle past West Virginia in 10 minutes
Check out how the action unfolded in a close battle between No. 1 Villanova and No. 5 West Virginia as the Wildcats pulled ahead late to secure a spot in the Elite 8. Watch highlights, game recaps, and much more from the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament on the official NCAA March Madness YouTube channel.
Jay Wright has elevated the Villanova program to the heights once reserved for the bluest of blue-bloods like Duke, North Carolina and Kansas. They’ve won their three NCAA Tournament games this year by a combined 61 points.That’s called domination.
Watching the Wildcats offense operate at its optimal beauty is like listening to a Donny Hathaway composition.
Donny Hathaway – Little Ghetto Boy
Donny Hathaway was and always will be one of the greatest.
And today, looking at the hunger and sincerity in the face of the Red Raiders, Villanova’s gonna come out preaching like a concerned big brother who has been around the block, who has put in some work, who has seen and done some things, on some, “Little ghetto boy, playing in the ghetto street. Whatcha’ gonna do when you grow up, and have to face responsibility?
James Brown vs Luther Vandross, aka Duke vs Kansas, 5:05 PM ET
When No. 1 seed Kansas is humming on all cylinders, they’re banging three’s on the opposition’s dome. In their 80-76 Sweet 16 win over Clemson, they made at least 10 shots from 3-point range for the 19th time this season. That’s just pure ridiculousness.
Clemson vs. Kansas: Jayhawks survive the Wildcats to advance to the Elite 8
Kansas defeats Clemson to advance to the Elite 8! Watch highlights, game recaps, and much more from the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament on the official NCAA March Madness YouTube channel.
And when they have 7-foot sophomore Udoka Azubuike going like he was against the Tigers in the regional semi’s, where the big man posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards, the Jayhawks are as formidable as any squad in college basketball.
But they better bring every ounce of that funk from deep and that muscle inside the paint against No. 2 seed Duke in today’s Elite Eight.
In terms of NCAA hoops royalty, Duke and Kansas take a backseat to absolutely no one. They are among the baddest and most accomplished programs ever.
Game Rewind: Watch Duke advance to the Elite 8 in 8 minutes
Watch how Duke advanced to the Elite 8 over Syracuse in 8 minutes! Watch highlights, game recaps, and much more from the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament on the official NCAA March Madness YouTube channel.
Kansas is making its third straight appearance in the Elite Eight and head coach Bill Self is one of the best in the business, having led the program to a national championship in 2008 and a runner-up finish in 2012.
His counterpart on the other sideline, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, has led the Blue Devils to 12 Final Fours and five national championships.
In other words, Coack K has paid the cost to be the boss, on some, “Look at me! You know what you see? You see a bad mutha!”
James Brown – The Boss
James Brown – The Boss From Album – Black Caeser
In their three tournament wins thus far, superfluous freshman Marvin Bagley has scored 22 points.
In a tournament defined by upsets and Cinderella runs, this game is the definition of how the NCAA makes its bread and butter. It doesn’t get any bigger or better than this.
And the nostalgia will be in full effect considering that Krzyzewski won the first of his five national titles against the Jayhawks in 1991, when Grant Hill rammed in one of the most soulful alley-oops in March Madness history.
Kansas has the pipes to shake some things loose in Duke’s 23 zone as senior guards Devonte Graham and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk bang 40.4% and 45.5% of their shots from deep, respectively. Azubuike will have to be at his absolute best against Bagley and Duke’s other exceptional freshman big man Wendell Carter.
The Jayhawks ain’t happy to just be here, flattered by the stage and the love being shown. They’re on some Big Luther right now, to the tune of “I don’t want romance, I just want my chance to dance!”
Searching – Luther Vandross
Searching – Luther Vandross
This is a classic matchup that should wrap up all of the 2018 NCAA Tournament Regional Finals in platinum fashion, setting the stage for what promises to be Final Four full of hits.
