I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted.
This was by far the wildest weekend of tournament basketball I have ever seen and it's all because of two of the best point guards in the country.
As a Michigan State and Big 10 Fan, there were lots of scenarios I was envisioning as the Elite Eight was being played, such as the possibility of having three Big 10 teams in the Final Four and Wisconsin did not disappoint as they played North Carolina as well as could be expected.
Naturally, the scenario I really wanted was for Kentucky to fall to Michigan State and it was almost a dream come true, in regulation, if Kentucky's Patrick Sparks wore a slightly larger tennis shoe, the Spartans wouldn't have needed two overtimes (not to mention a near cardiac arrest from me) to defeat the Wildcats.
The only reason I can see that propelled the Spartans to the Arch was the torrid shooting of Shannon Brown, the 6-2 point guard from Maywood, Illinois.
Brown willed the Spartans to a victory, with 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting with five three-pointers is looking forward to a reunion with another gentleman named Brown, who happens to be fond of bright orange mouthpieces.
Brown attended Proviso East High School and is very close friends with Illinois Illini guard Dee Brown, the Big 10 Player of the Year.
"A lot of people think we're brothers or cousins,'' Shannon Brown said. "We're not, but we really are family. I met him when I was in eighth grade. We were both working out then, and we've become best friends. As time went on, we started clicking. We talk about three days a week, and we've talked every day this week.''
Brown, though nowhere near as heralded as his former high school teammate, Illinois' Dee Brown, who has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, is exactly the type of player the Spartans need to defeat the very talented North Carolina Tar Heels this weekend.
Especially, if he's on fire like he was against Kentucky, along with solid play from Maurice Ager, Paul Davis, and Alan Anderson, the Spartans may find themselves back to the title game.
The Spartans aren't the only ones looking to give the Big 10 another championship title.
Guard Dee Brown is on a mission and has his Illini exactly where everyone predicted they would be. At least most of us can say at least that part of our bracket looks like it is supposed to.
His given name is Daniel, if you were curious.
With an improbable comeback win versus Arizona last weekend, you could tell the magic belongs to the Illini and as much as he would hate for me to say this, it's all because of Dee Brown.
Sure, I would take Luther Head and Deron Williams in a New York minute, but Brown is the cornerstone of this amazing Illini team.
Why does he wear that bright orange monstrosity in his mouth?
"I think my teeth are the most important part of my body," Dee Brown said. "I get elbowed a lot, get busted in the mouth and got my two front teeth knocked straight back, so I just wear a mouthpiece. If I was a regular player or something. it wouldn't be looked at, but I guess I'm on a good team and the way I play people look at it more."
Dee is by no means a regular player, more like an outstanding one and he's a father to boot.
Brown's son, Darrian, is 2-years-old and never far from Dad's mind. Brown writes LIL' DEE on his shoes to let his son know that even while he's beating every school that dares step in the Illini's path, that it's for him.
Whatever happens in the Final Four, the Browns are the reasons that both teams are there and if they have their way, the Big 10 will have a winner.
Whether Illinois or Michigan State wins the title, you can bet that these two classy guards will genuinely be happy for their friend, whoever comes out victorious.
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