NCAA Tournament Game of Thrones: 2015 Edition
By Ty Duffy
We did this post initially in 2012. The story has expanded over multiple seasons. Basketball has happened. We opted to bring it back with an update for 2015. Here is “Game of Thrones” casted by college basketball coaches and figures. Feel free to express your quibbles in the comments.
Daenerys Targaryen [John Calipari] John Calipari is a true believer in his own mission. Strategize to your heart’s content. Dragons are dragons.
Joffrey Baratheon [Jim Boeheim] Boeheim is out of the tournament. He’s the product of an insular environment. He can act like an entitled twerp. His minimal accomplishments are lionized by others. It’s incredibly gratifying to watch him fail. Zone is for cowards.
Stannis Baratheon [Bo Ryan] Ryan is the antithesis of fun. He operates a literal school of hard knocks. He is strong and utterly without pathos. Looking at the NCAA tournament, it’s hard to think up a crappier ending than him ending up winning the whole thing.
Renley Baratheon [Roy Williams] Roy has a great head of hair. Looks excellent in Carolina Blue. Like Renley, he was last a factor in 2011-12.
Tywin Lannister [Mike Krzyzewski] He’s the wealthiest coach in amateur athletics. He’s flinty. Beneath the righteous veneer, his Duke program is just as impious as any other.
Jaime Lannister [Bobby Hurley] Capable. Known for heroic feats performed in his youth. Potential heir in Durham, if he wants it?
Tyrion Lannister [Jay Bilas] Bilas is erudite, witty and the most likable member of an unlikable fraternity. Devoid of romance about the system. Willing to bring it down if needed.
Petyr Baelish [Rick Pitino] Pitino can be smooth-talking and smarmy. Little bit of a creepy sexual undertone. Can be ice cold when he needs to be and when he doesn’t.
Iron Bank of Braavos [ESPN] Pledges not to meddle with college athletics as a principle. Occasionally messes with college athletics as a business consideration.
Robb Stark [Tom Crean] Prominent member of the Izzo tree. Crean had a good run with a dire wolf of a player. Does not appear to have the nous to thrive at cut throat level.
Roose Bolton [John Beilein] Beilein is tough, scrappy and resourceful. He makes the most of opportunities. If the fat daughter can shoot from three-point range, he’ll make it work.
Ramsay Bolton [Marshall Henderson] A singular personality, who is sadly missed.
Mace Tyrell [Bill Self] Notable because of where he coaches. Seldom does anything noteworthy. Terrible hair.
Oberyn Martell [Andy Enfield] He’s a renaissance man. He has an attractive partner. He had us spellbound for a hot minute there. At the moment of truth…5-31 in conference play.
Jorah Mormont [Bruce Pearl] SEC basketball is on the upswing. After a scandal-induced exile, Pearl is going to ride Calipari’s coat tails back to the forefront.
Rickard Karstark [Dan Dakich] Embraces risk for the cause. Never one to shy away from expressing an opinion.
Balon Greyjoy [Larry Brown] Once made himself a king, trying to become one again from a lesser position. Has struggled working with others.
Khal Drogo [Brad Stevens] He’s gone from the college game. But, after bad-assedly bringing Butler to consecutive NCAA Tournament finals, we remember him fondly.
Lord Varys [World Wide Wes] College basketball’s man of mystery. He has a hand in nothing and a finger in everything, if you believe the rumors.
Sir Mandon Moore [Ted Valentine] Bit character with a habit of inserting himself into key moments.
Mance Rayder [Gregg Marshall] The King Beyond the Wall. He took Wichita State to the Final Four in 2013. He’s gone 63-5 since. You sort of wonder how his abilities would translate elsewhere, but he may be best suited where he is.