Watch CBS News

Rothstein Files: 64 Reasons To Love The NCAA Tournament

By Jon Rothstein
» More Columns

Who doesn't love the NCAA tourney?

Jon Rothstein, college basketball insider for CBS Sports and WFAN, tells us why this year's tournament will live up to its March Madness moniker:

1. Anthony Davis' shot blocking ability

2. Ray Harper's humility

3. Royce White playing without a mohawk

4. Jim Calhoun's edge

5. VCU's HAVOC defense, which makes you tired after watching it for two possessions

6. Seeing if Wichita State can live up to its mid season hype

7. Tom Crean's return to postseason play

8. New Mexico State's dribble drive ability

9. Mike Moser's face up game

10. Andre Roberson's athleticism

11. Finding out if Perry Jones has any tiger inside of him

12. South Dakota State's Nate Wolters, a feisty 6-foot-4 guard for the JackRabbits

13. Mike Brey's burn offense --- which might be more potent than it was a year ago

14. One last time to watch Xavier's feast or famine back court of Tu Holloway and Mark Lyons

15. An opportunity for the nation to see Lehigh's C.J. McCollum, one of college basketball's best kept secrets

16. The textbook stroke of Duke's Andre Dawkins

17. Draymond Green's leadership

18. LIU's chance to finally get some well-deserved respect

19. Brian Conklin's toughness

20. Joe Jackson's open court speed

21. Drew Gordon's second jump

22. Casper Ware's fearlnessness

23. Rick Pitino's full court pressure

24. Davidson's poise

25. Isaiah Canaan's quick release

26. Colorado State's opportunity to prove they belong

27. The high post skill of BYU's Noah Hartsock

28. Darius Johnson Odom's power

29. Florida's four guard offense

30. Finding out if Virginia's Mike Scott is good enough to carry a team to a win in the NCAA Tournament

31. Missouri's speed

32. The power of Norfolk State big man Kyle O'Quinn

33. Dion Waiters. Enough said.

34. UNC Asheville trying to play the ultimate spoiler by beating Syracuse.

35. Frank Martin, maybe the most underrated coach in college basketball.

36. Seeing if Southern Miss can shake off the last few weeks and be competitive with Kansas State

37. Jeffery Taylor's versatility

38. Harvard's hope

39. The swing offense

40. Montana's three point shooting

41. Jaquon Parker's toughness

42. Texas' freshmen class growing up on the fly

43. Florida State's best chance to reach a Final Four under Leonard Hamilton

44. Andrew Nicholson's attempt to be Danny Manning for St. Bonaventure

45. Kevin Pangos' maturity beyond his years

46. Kevin Jones' ability to offensive rebound.

47. William Buford, maybe the least appreciated player in the sport.

48. Jimmy Patsos' press conferences

49. Kendall Marshall's passing ability

50. The unselfishness of Vermont's Brian Voelkel

51. Doug McDermott's up fakes

52. Alabama's defense

53. Juan Fernandez's feel for the game

54. South Florida's defense, even if it doesn't look pretty

55. John Beilein's 1-3-1 zone

56. D.J. Cooper's fire

57. Jamaal Franklin --- San Diego State's match up nightmare

58. C.J. Leslie's low post arsenal

59. Georgetown's length

60. Belmont's mission to win an NCAA Tournament game

61. Matthew Dellavedova's craftiness

62. Robbie Hummel back in the bracket after missing the last two seasons with injury

63. Thomas Robinson's power game

64. The edge to Detroit --- a team that has no business being a 15 seed

Have anything to add? Give us No. 65 in the comments below...

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.