Movie Quote Countdown 20-11

20. Illinois Fighting Illini

“We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off.”

- Fight Club

Illinois and their fans were told to circle to 2010-11 season on their calendars a long time ago. Dimitri McCamey, Mike Davis, and Mike Tisdale all showed potential as Freshman. As Sophomores, they led the Illini to second place int he Big10 and a NCAA bid. We were told to just wait until they were seniors. Wait until Tisdale put on 15 lbs. Wait until the first good recruiting class were sophomores (Richardson and Paul), wait until you have another talented group of freshman (Richmond), in 2010-11, you will be rock stars, gods, the stars will align, and Illinois will be back in the final four. In reality, it didnt happen.

Illinois has always been a split personality team, just like Ed Norton in fight club. Usually this revolves around their home and away records. They showed they can beat Wisconsin, UNC, Gonzaga (in Seattle), but lose at Indiana, Penn State, Northwestern, and to UIC in CHicago. The question is, what happens now? Do they put up a typical poor neutral site performance, shoot 30%, stand around on offense, and continue to worry about what coffee table they get from IKEA, or do they unleash their inner Tyler Durden, "just let go," flip the fuck out, and make a run at the final four one last time?

19. UNLV Rebels

“Look out for me?!?!?! I’m your older brother Mike, and you’re supposed to look out for me? I’m smart! Not dumb like people say.”

- The Godfather Part II

UNLV is the most accomplished team in Mountain West history. Their history blows away BYU and SDSU’s history. Yet, this year, they’re getting overlooked in the same way Fredo was passed over for taking over the Corleone family. What will be the result? UNLV will certainly try to prove itself worthy. If it gets past Illinois, they will put up a big threat to Kansas (i.e. release information to Hyman Roth, and put a hit on Michael/Kansas). Only, just as Michael escaped mostly unscathed, so too will Kansas.

18. Florida Gators

“21 is rigged, and I can prove it. I have Enright cold and that means I have you.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Then how come you’re the one sweating?”

- Quiz Show

It seems like Florida has the talent. Parsons, Boyton, Walker, and Tyus should be enough to give Donovan a perceived edge over many teams in the tournament. But, they’re sweating. I never bought into Florida this year, and now they are playing against more talented teams than they saw day in day out in the SEC. Give them the two seed, but you know they are sweating. I don’t care if they beat Michigan State or UCLA in the second round, because frankly, I don’t think those teams are of any quality either. If Florida makes the sweet sixteen it will be on match-ups alone.

17. Belmont Bruins

“How do you feel about cutting down thirty bandits?”

- Seven Samurai

I needed to get a quote from this film into the 68. I also really wish I could find the complete scene too. The samurai in the scene is chopping wood with prefect accuracy and precision. When asked to cut down thirty bandits, he misses wildly. He, like the other samurai, know the challenges they face, but they all come together to take on the bandits.

Now think of Belmont. Here’s a team that is talented, but an underdog. Can they band together like the samurai? The whole film is an allegory to the Belmont Bruins. It also is the inspiration and influential force for countless Hollywood films for the last fifty-five years.

Getting a 13 seed and Wisconsin is not a favorable draw for them. They can beat many 4 of 5 seeds, Wisconsin included, but the Badgers figure to be a tough matchup. I would keep my eye on this game.

16. Utah State Aggies

“It’s like a new pair of underwear. At first it’s kinda constrictive, but after a while it becomes a part of you.”

- Wayne’s World

Utah State has become a consistent presence in the NCAA tournament, making it four of the last six years. The only problem is, they haven’t won. Im betting on that changing this year. I’ve written about them before on this blog. The constrictiveness of the NCAA tournament should have worn off of Utah State by now. They got a terrible draw as a 12 seed in the tourney (kenpom has them 18^th in the nation!), and they should be favored over Kansas State (they’re +1.5). So, since everyone is so obsessed with taking 12’s over 5’s, here is yours. Their next game depends on whom they play.

15. North Carolina Tar Heels

“You don't know about real loss, 'cause it only occurs when you've loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you've ever dared to love anybody that much. And look at you... I don't see an intelligent, confident man... I see a cocky, scared shitless kid. But you're a genius Will. No one denies that. No one could possibly understand the depths of you. But you presume to know everything about me because you saw a painting of mine, and you ripped my fucking life apart. You're an orphan right? You think I know the first thing about how hard your life has been, how you feel, who you are, because I read Oliver Twist? Does that encapsulate you? Personally... I don't give a shit about all that, because you know what, I can't learn anything from you, I can't read in some fuckin' book.”

- Good Will Hunting

A small part of one of the best STFU ownage monologues of all time. This applies to UNC in several ways. I never bought into UNC this year. Even when they went on a winning streak, I was skeptical of their competition and performance. I dont know who they are. I'm supposed to think they're good because they have North Carolina pasted across their chest, or because once again they have a talented group of players. I can read the history of UNC, but I dont care about that. They have shown the flashes of being great, but it feels as if the passion and love isnt there enough for them to get to the next level. If they wanna play and come together, they can make an elite eight run. Otherwise, they can lose to Washington.

14. Brigham Young University

“The force is strong with you young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet.”

- The Empire Strikes Back

This would have been a lot cooler if BYU hadn’t suspended Davies and subsequently crumbled down the stretch. The quote is still pertinent though. The force is clearly with Fredettee. BYU has an okay draw. Yes, they got a 3 seed, but they are playing the best fourteen seed, and a team that should be higher in Wofford. They should beat St. Johns or Gonzaga in the second round, and Florida in the sweet sixteen. If Fredettee can rally the troops, and get BYU to the elite eight or final four, we should be assigning him Jedi status. Getting his arm chopped off, falling down a ventilation shaft in Cloud City, and having to be rescued by Lando would be the equivalent of losing in the second round.

13. Syracuse Orangemen

“Ready are you? What know you of ready? For eight hundred years have I trained Jedi. My own counsel will I keep on who is to be trained. A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing. Hmph. Adventure. Heh. Excitement. Heh. A Jedi craves not these things.”

- The Empire Strikes Back

Through Jim Boeheim’s 800 years on planet earth, he has seen a lot. He has won a national title and been to two other finals. His team this year is as talented as any of them, (except for 1987) and as talented as Luke Skywalker, but it is going to take a deeper commitment from them all to return to the final four. It can start with Scoop Jardine playing under control and not turning the ball over.

Lets just put it this way. Rony Seikaly wasn't craving excitement or adventure.

12. Louisville Cardinals

“You’re like this bear man, and you’re trying to kill the bunny, and you’re not hitting at it, you’re just kinda petting at it, and you got these claws and these fangs, and you’re saying with these claws and these fangs, I don’t know how to kill the bunny. And the bunny is scared, it’s scared, and you got these big fucking claws and these big fucking fangs!”

- Swingers

Or something to that effect. If you’ve seen the movie, you know the scene. Louisville is somewhat under the radar this year, due mostly to losing many close games. I’m not sure if they have the killer instinct or not, but they have the talent. Their last six games were decided by a combined 32 points, and although they lost to Notre Dame by ten, it came in overtime after they blew it in regulation – although they did then beat ND in overtime. If they close out those games, they’re looking at a 1 or 2 seed. As it is, and with all teams, they’re going to be in some close games. Can they close?

11. Washington Huskies

“What’s your problem Kazansky?”

“You’re everyone’s problem. That’s because every time you go up in the air you’re unsafe. I don’t like you because you’re dangerous.”

- Top Gun

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I have been high on Washington for a while. Isaiah Thomas is really peaking right now. Last year, the Huskies were an 11 seed, and easily advanced to the sweet 16. Perhaps theyre not as under the radar as last year, but theyre still just as dangerous. They’re deep, they’re fast, and if they are starting to hit shots. They have the talent to advance to the final four. They should handle Georgia, and give UNC a big challenge. UNC v. Washington has the potential to be in the 90s, and a close, instant classic. They will be a threat to everyone; UGA, UNC, Syracuse, and Ohio State.