Having watched Stanford a number of times, I just can’t buy them as a 1 seed. They have a 6’2” forward running their offense and mediocre guard play. To be sure the Cardinal are loaded with frontcourt talent. But 6 losses and numerous close wins just don’t pass the eye test.
My guess is Stanford is reaping the benefits of the dogfights that took place in the PAC 12 all season. This is the first year I watched most of their games and these games are exhausting to watch. Just physical. I don't even think the SEC was this physical this season.
You are correct. The conference tournament is one of a number of considerations, specifically how a team is playing at the end of the season. As I pointed out in another post, UConn is at or near the top on many of the components that will also be included when the Selection Committee seeds the brackets, as follows:
Don't shoot the messenger. I posted this because I thought some fans might be interested in reading it, and I thought it made good fodder. I don't necessarily agree with its content. I'm sure some (not all) of the 2K folks that viewed this got something out of it. It generated two pages of comments, so it did what I thought it might do.
I think that the selection committee as a whole this year would find it very strange that UConn has made the FF every year since 2017 - 2018 while not being awarded a #1 seed as a top 4 team.
Has Haley Jones grown an inch? She’s a big strong girl, to be sure, but she’s not 6’2”. This is why it would be interesting to see how she does against similarly physical players, like Aubrey or Siegrist or Morrow or Marotta or Karlen. The Big East is loaded with mobile strong girls in the 6’1”-6’2” range. Jones may be a better scorer than many of them, but she’s not better in all aspects of the game, and has the advantage of not having to play the low post. If we play Stanford this year and Aubrey mainly guards Jones, I think it will be an interesting game.
Thanks for the chuckle. Yes, those neutral tournament sites are notorious for home jobs. Happens all the time. But at least you've got the excuses lined up and ready.
Do you want them to have time as well to prep and rest? Careful about what you ask for.
Love Blacksburg even though it’s near nothing. My son did his PhD there at VTech.
I see what you did there...When was this media call? Two days ago he had South Carolina, Indiana, Iowa and Tech as the top seeds. What's happened in two days that moves Iowa down and Stanford up? Certainly not their play, and I wouldn't think the Big 12 tourney would have any bearing either.
It is the 21st century, maybe he's schizoid man.
power 5's will always get the benefit of the doubt, and they lost a game they shoulda won in OT to South Carolina. Pretty clear they are a 1 seed.
“Nothing” is quite generous. VTech is 100 miles past Nothing and Nowhere.
You obviously have nevet been to the Christianburg Mall
Stanford lost to unranked Washington and USC
EXACTLY!!! If BIG bad Stanford can lose to two unranked teams, so can everyone else. There are going to be some unforeseen upsets in the tournament. I can see it now. Some 3, 4, or 5 seeds getting upset by some 8, 9, or 10 seeds (maybe a 14 seed) that play fast and loose figuring they have nothing to lose since nobody thinks they're going to win anyway, and are sent home early. It's going to happen as sure as I'm wearing a turban. UConn lost to two unranked conference opponents (Marquette and St. Johns) this year. Other than South Carolina, I don't think any team can really be favored to make it to the final four. Too many "pot holes" on the road to Dallas this year.
When you are a TARGET, and Uconn is, you draw crowds. The NCAA isn't anything if it doesn't bring viewers and people in seats. Uncle Sams green paper keeps the N in NCAA.
Isn’t it shocking how opposing teams always seem to have their worst shooting games vs UConn? It’s almost like the Huskies have a top ranked defense, playing primarily 6 players, no less
