Creme: Placement is key to 2012 bracket

[pap49cba]

LINK

 

[HuskyNan]

I would be pretty happy if that were UConn's actual bracket.

 

[Wonkster]

I would be pretty happy if that were UConn's actual bracket.

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You got that right.
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[alexrgct]

UConn is going to have ONE really tough game to win to make it to Denver. There will be no reason for it, we might not see it coming beforehand, but it is going to happen.

Getting to play in Bridgeport and Kingston is key. Didn't help playing at home last Saturday, but obviously you still want to play in front of mostly your fans than the alternative.

 

[MilfordHusky]

UConn is going to have ONE really tough game to win to make it to Denver. There will be no reason for it, we might not see it coming beforehand, but it is going to happen.

Getting to play in Bridgeport and Kingston is key. Didn't help playing at home last Saturday, but obviously you still want to play in front of mostly your fans than the alternative.

Last year, the really tough game was in the regional semi-finals. This year, it could be the semis or the finals. It depends on matchups.

I hope the (nearly) home court helps. The team may need a lot of crowd support in a really tough game.

 

[Icebear]

Last year, the really tough game was in the regional semi-finals. This year, it could be the semis or the finals. It depends on matchups.

I hope the (nearly) home court helps. The team may need a lot of crowd support in a really tough game.

From 16 on it is all about matchups.

 

[speedoo]

I would be pretty happy if that were UConn's actual bracket.

I disagree. Duke, KY and PSU are as difficult a group of 2 - 4 seeds as there is in the field. ND gets Miami, OSU and Georgia... Two teams at 3 and 4 that regularly underachieve, and one team, Miami, that might be an easier matchup than Duke.

 

[triaddukefan]

I would be pretty happy if that were UConn's actual bracket.

I wouldn't be.

 

[rjp172]

I disagree. Duke, KY and PSU are as difficult a group of 2 - 4 seeds as there is in the field. ND gets Miami, OSU and Georgia... Two teams at 3 and 4 that regularly underachieve, and one team, Miami, that might be an easier matchup than Duke.

Agreed. This version of Raleigh looks much less daunting when you remove Duke and Maryland from the ACC and Tennessee and Kentucky from the SEC which were possibilities. Still looks like an upset special to me though in the early rounds. I think Vandy can take Miami in Nashville. Florida Gulf Coast and St. Bonaventure could both get pass Georgia in Tallahassee. Who knows what you might get out of Ohio St, St. John's, and Iowa State in Ames.

 

[triaddukefan]

After Duke beats Miami friday night, then Duke will be back in Raleigh in next weeks update.

 

[HuskyNan]

I disagree. Duke, KY and PSU are as difficult a group of 2 - 4 seeds as there is in the field. ND gets Miami, OSU and Georgia... Two teams at 3 and 4 that regularly underachieve, and one team, Miami, that might be an easier matchup than Duke.

I would rather play Duke, a known quantity, over Miami. Miami's guards are excellent and the Hurricanes match up well with the Huskies.

 

[speedoo]

I would rather play Duke, a known quantity, over Miami. Miami's guards are excellent and the Hurricanes match up well with the Huskies.

Not having seen much of Miami, I can't argue whether they match up well with UConn or not. But I am pretty sure they have no one like Liz Williams in the post, which makes them a lot less dangerous in the post than Duke is. And if Miami has no one like Williams, how will they handle Stef and Kiah?

 

[MilfordHusky]

I would rather play Duke, a known quantity, over Miami. Miami's guards are excellent and the Hurricanes match up well with the Huskies.

I think I agree, though beating up on Duke time after time will eventually come to an end. They should know how to play us based on familiarity.

The Miami guards are quick and good. If they are hot shooting, it can be really tough for the opponent. One of the keys would be to make Williams take low percentage shots, as she too often does. Generally, I like our chances against an up-tempo team, but the Hurricanes could be tough.

 

[rington]

What if................Uconn loses to ND(Feb. 27 and in BE Tourney)? Would they still go to Kingston? Would they then be a #2 seed?
I still feel a lot of things are still unsettled.

 

[Sonny44]

If we get a #1 seed we won't have a tough game until the finals. Of course there could be an upset like SJU, but not likely.

 

[rington]

From 16 on it is all about matchups.

That's right. In fact, in the first game in Philadelphia, Georgetown was ahead of Uconn at the half, and only lost by 5, I believe.

 

[alexrgct]

If we get a #1 seed we won't have a tough game until the finals. Of course there could be an upset like SJU, but not likely.

We've had reasonably tough games with Louisville and South Florida and an outright loss to SJU. I think we will have a tough game in Kingston. Duke seems a favorable matchup, but I could see Maryland, Miami, Kentucky (depending on which UK shows up), and yes, Tennessee, giving us all we can handle and then some.

 

[pap49cba]

I would feel less trepidation if the team was clicking on all cylinders but clearly it is not. There have been a few too many 'grind it out'-type wins and now the loss to SJU.

One can't help wondering if the team is just tuckered out. Kelly, in particular, looks beat up and wasted.

 

[speedoo]

I would feel less trepidation if the team was clicking on all cylinders but clearly it is not. There have been a few too many 'grind it out'-type wins and now the loss to SJU.

One can't help wondering if the team is just tuckered out. Kelly, in particular, looks beat up and wasted.

If that's the biggest problem, we'll be fine after the long break before the NCAA tourney begins. Plus, travel will be a non-issue until a trip to Denver as long as UConn goes to Bridgeport and Kingston. The biggest issue recently is several tough games in a short time period, with a lot of travel as well.

 

[UConnCat]

If that's the biggest problem, we'll be fine after the long break before the NCAA tourney begins. Plus, travel will be a non-issue until a trip to Denver as long as UConn goes to Bridgeport and Kingston. The biggest issue recently is several tough games in a short time period, with a lot of travel as well.

Although I agree that some of the players, particularly Kelly, appear fatigued, your point about the big break between the BET and NCAAs is a good one. The BET concludes on March 6 and the 1st round of the NCAAs in Bridgeport begins on March 17. That'll be a nice break for the players, though not as much for the fans.

 

[Dairyair]

Although I agree that some of the players, particularly Kelly, appear fatigued, your point about the big break between the BET and NCAAs is a good one. The BET concludes on March 6 and the 1st round of the NCAAs in Bridgeport begins on March 17. That'll be a nice break for the players, though not as much for the fans.

Not so sure, based on how many players have said their practices are way tougher than their games.

 

[UConnCat]

Not so sure, based on how many players have said their practices are way tougher than their games.

Geno will always make practices as tough as they need to be this time of year. He has talked in the past about cutting down on the length of some practices in order to preserve the players' legs. But the most important thing about the break between the NCAAs is that the team will have a few days off to rest their bodies. The team typically gets 2 days off after the BET and then will have additional days off once practice resumes.

 

[DWHoops]

I think I agree, though beating up on Duke time after time will eventually come to an end. They should know how to play us based on familiarity.

Since the loss to UConn, Duke is minus a starter with the loss of Richa Jackson (ACL). If there is a rematch, I don't see Duke coming as close as the first contest.

Creme's latest had Duke in Norman with the Sooners a #7 seed. I think Duke getting out of that pickle would be a 50/50 proposition at best.