Sweet 16 Sparks Lawyers' Pride and Predictions for Their Schools

CHICAGOLAWBULLETIN.COM THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

Volume 158, No. 57 Sweet 16 sparks lawyers’ pride and predictions for their schools

BY PAT MILHIZER Law Bulletin staff writer

For lawyers who still have an alma mater in the emotional ride that is the NCAA basketball tournament, hopefully they find time to put legal documents aside and grab a remote control. Sixteen teams remain and the hardwood battles resume tonight. We asked lawyers what they expected from their schools heading into this year’s tourna - ment and how they expect their team to perform the rest of the way. David C. McKone R. John Street Diane J. Silverberg Here are their responses: •David C. McKone of Nixon, throughout the year — winning •Vincent P. Tomkiewicz of •Mark E. Broaddus of Chuhak Peabody LLP (Michigan State the MAC tournament this month Ruberry, Stalmack & Garvey & Tecson P.C. (University of University). “As a one-seed going — MAC schools overall haven’t LLC (University of Wisconsin). Louisville and University of into the tournament with done well in the NCAA tourna - “As last Friday’s upsets demon - Kentucky). “This is hard for momentum from winning the Big ment over the past decade. It strated, anything can happen in me, because I have two schools Ten Tournament, I expected was a great surprise to see Ohio the tournament. That being said, in the tournament — my Michigan State to cruise to the win and, being from Ohio, I felt the Badgers had a good undergrad, Kentucky, and law Elite Eight before encountering a equally pleasing to see Michigan shot, having played well at the school, University of Louisville. I serious test. … I expect the lose. I think it probably will be all end of the regular season and in can support both schools in Spartans to meet Kentucky in over for the Bobcats on Friday. the Big Ten tourney. Playing in Chicago, but not in Kentucky; New Orleans for its toughest test North Carolina has lost its main Boston against Syracuse, the you have to pick one and hate the of the year. Not willing to bet playmaker to injury, but they are Badgers will be a virtual away other. I expect them both to against Coach Izzo in March, I a deep team that has a lot of team. Nevertheless, Bo Ryan will compete for the championship predict that Michigan State will experience at this level. I hope out-coach Jim Boeheim, who’s this year. I think Kentucky will play yet another rematch against Ohio can keep it close.” never beaten a Big Ten team in win it all.” Ohio State in the finals, •Diane J. Silverberg of Kovitz, NCAA tournament play. If the •Alisa C. Simmons of Fitch, prevailing for the third time this Shifrin, Nesbit (University of three-point shooting holds up, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP year over the Buckeyes.” Wisconsin). “As a dyed-in-the- Wisconsin will beat the Ohio (Indiana University). “No matter •James C. Vlahakis of red-wool Madisonian and two- State-Cincinnati winner, and it’s what, I always root for IU when Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP time UW alum, my expectations on to the Final Four.” they make it to the NCAA (Michigan State University). “I for the UW in this year’s NCAA •Robert P. Pisani of McKenna, tourney. I’m sure that my doing expected that MSU would to tournament are the same as they Storer (University of Wisconsin). so is a direct result of having make it to the Final Four. I think are every year — that its “I had the Badgers getting into attended IU during the playing that with a little luck, MSU will vaunted defense will shut down the Sweet 16. They have played days of Calbert Cheaney. The make it to the championship all opponents and the Badgers well all year, but there have been Hoosiers have enjoyed a good game. Other than that, I don’t will win it all. … I have the UW some offensive lapses at times. season this year and their want to jinx anything with a defeating Syracuse on Thursday The Badgers are peaking at the performance on Saturday prediction of a national champi - — the Orange’s luck without the right time. Players other than evening did not disappoint, onship.” fabulously named Fab Melo Jordan Taylor have been especially with 100 percent free •R. John Street of Edwards, finally running out — with the stepping up. Their defense is throw shooting in the first half. Wildman, Palmer LLP (Ohio Badgers going on to defeat Ohio great, Bo Ryan is an excellent I was hopeful that the Hoosiers University). “I didn’t expect State on the 31st to set up a coach, and their style of play is would make it once again to the them to get past their first round championship game between the tough for non-Big Ten Sweet 16 and they have. The game against Michigan. While Badgers and the Kentucky opponents. They will make it to Hoosiers team this year has Ohio has improved consistently Wildcats on April 2.” the Final Four.” heart, and more than enough,

Copyright © 2012 Law Bulletin Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from Law Bulletin Publishing Company. I believe, to pull off another win against Kentucky. It’s the NCAA tourney — anything can happen.” •Robert J. Finley of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP (Marquette University). “In the post-Warrior era, nothing is ever as it seems. You throw out the won-loss record, which is what made (Dwyane) Wade’s Final Four run altogether remarkable and the (Kevin) O’Neill tenure so tanta - lizingly difficult to endure. … I picked them to lose in the first round and yet have thoroughly enjoyed the last week. At this stage, other than Ohio U., MU Mark E. Broaddus Alisa C. Simmons Edward E. Clair remains a dark horse to ‘ring out ahoya’ in the Big Easy. Just the were lower than many of my MU •Edward E. Clair of Fitch, going into this season were a way we like it.” friends given some erratic Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP little bit lower … I expect the •Christopher J. Reckamp of playing by MU late in the season. (Marquette University). “Having team to continue to play with a Faegre, Baker, Daniels LLP … If Marquette plays at their lost Jimmy F. Butler — now a lot of heart and determination … (Marquette University). normal level, I would expect Chicago Bull (and) a major it would not surprise me if “Marquette had a great season Marquette to make it to the Elite factor in Marquette getting to Marquette went on to win and Coach (Buzz) Williams did a Eight. … I definitely think they the Sweet 16 last year — my another game, let alone the terrific job, but my expectations are that good.” expectations for Marquette entire tournament.”