East is here
Round 1
1. Christian Laettner d. 16. Jimmer Fredette
-Laettner's the career points leader in the tournament
8. Danny Manning d. 9. Zion Williamson
-There isn't a single argument for Williamson. Not a single one.
12. Larry Johnson d. 5. Carmelo Anthony
-I'm still salty about that Manning/Zion thing. This is a lot closer than that but the same basic "you just played one year, sir" idea.
4. Chamique Holdsclaw d. 13. Trae Young
-What's with the one and dones in the South? Holdsclaw won 3 straight titles.
11. Tamika Catchings d. 6. Chris Mullin
-This is really close; they both had long careers and similar levels of dominance; Catchings won the Naismith, Mullin won the Wooden. But Catchings had that undefeated season.
14. Glen Rice d. Magic Johnson
-This is also close; Magic was the better player, but Rice played in more than twice as many games, also won a title and his 1989 tournament run is maybe unmatched.
7. Candace Parker 10. Kevin Durant
-Again with the one and dones; Parker won two Woodens and back to back titles.
2. Patrick Ewing 15. Jerry Lucas
-Close like Rice/Magic, but the huge games disparity gives it to Ewing.
Round of 32
8. Manning over 1. Laettner
-They each won a Naismith and a Wooden, each won titles (Laettner won a second) I mean, it's by a hair, but Manning was a little bit better in the regular season and with less help.
4. Holdsclaw d. 12. Johnson
-Holdsclaw's the leading scorer and rebounder all time in the tournament
14. Rice d. 11. Catchings
-Close - but Catchings had significantly better teammates, as evidenced by Holdsclaw's advancing
2. Ewing d. Parker
-The 3 straight finals apearances in a hotly contested time seals it for Ewing.
Sweet 16
4. Holdsclaw d. Manning
-3 straight titles and an undefeated season for Holdsclaw
2. Ewing d. 14. Rice
Won a title like Rice but also had two more finals appearances
Elite 8
4. Chamique Holdsclaw d. 2. Patrick Ewing
2 Naismiths and a Sullivan Award. I didn't look at this bracket ant automatically think Holdsclaw, but she's the winner for sure.
