AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR

About two weeks ago, a lot of analysts were commenting on the lack of talent in this years March Madness, that the overwhelming amount of parity this year would lead to a boring tournament. Instead, we have what may possibly be one of the most compelling series of games in recent memory. The four number one seeds? Gone. The four number two seeds? Gone. The four number sixteen seeds? Just kidding. One half of the teams remaining pairs the highest seeded final four game ever, while the other half returns two big programs to the top. Every round has had at least two games come down to the final seconds, and best of all the "Gus Johnson Rule" is in full effect. I'd say parity hasn't been too unkind in the last two and a half weeks. While you twiddle your thumbs waiting for the games to start up again on Saturday, here are some other things to think about.

• Remember in 2007-08 when the Patriots fell just short of a perfect 19 - 0 season. Everyone made a big deal about being the first undefeated team with the expanded schedule, bettering the Dolphins 17 - 0. If its that big a deal when a team at the tail end of a dynasty is vying for it, how crazy is it then that VCU may be the first to win 7 games in a tournament with the expanded schedule. VCU! Four weeks ago people probably didn't even know what state the school was in, and probably thought Shaka Smart was Maxwell Smart's adopted brother.
• If UCONN wins the whole thing, is their run along with Kemba Walker's play the greatest ever? Perhaps not, but the man's stock is climbing higher than ever. The average person would probably rather still be watching Jimmer-mania, mostly because his entertainment value is so high. Comparing the two though, Kemba's overall game is far superior.
• Last week before the sweet sixteen started I wrote that Butler was probably the scariest team left. Two more drama filled games later, nothing has changed. You cant teach or coach experience, and this group has more than any team left. Two new points about this team: Aside from their first round game this year, their game Saturday may be the first where they aren't considered an underdog which may play with their psyche. Second, it's a definite toss up what would be more improbable at the beginning of the season. VCU advancing this far, or Butler putting two "Cinderella" runs together back to back while losing their best player and adding no one.
• Finally are we seeing a changing of the guard of what the elite college coach is? VCU's head coach Shaka Smart is young and animated. He's on the same level as his kids, sharing all the emotion and wearing it on his sleeve. Brad Steven's has already been here once, and has reformed to being somewhat stone faced on the sidelines, but you can tell he gets in his car and sings "Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta," at the top of his lungs on the way home. We've have already seen it work in the NFL with Mike Tomlin and in baseball with the Red Sox' Theo Epstein. With the exception of the established veterans, younger coaching seems to be the next trend across all sports.

No mention of Kentucky doesn't mean I'm counting them out. Their freshman Knight is a stud, and Coach Callipari, despite his shaky past, is an elite coach and one of two coaches ever to bring three different schools to the final four. So here's to parity. If this is what it means for the tournament every year, count me in.