Elite 8 Matchups and Predictions

[bballnut90]

Quick power rankings/predictions entering the Sweet 16:

1. South Carolina-they're still undefeated and #1 despite a rough 4th quarter vs. Indiana. I think they come out and likely beat Oregon State, but Oregon State is playing well.

2. Texas-they've looked consistently the best this tournament. They defend the heck out of you, have guards that can make shots and a great playmaker in Booker. Aaliyah Moore is a stud too. This team has championship potential and size and athleticism to be great.

3. Iowa-they were unbelievable today vs. Colorado, LSU will be a different animal though. If they get the ball movement, shot making and spacing they had today, they can win. Clark has to bring her best stuff like she did today.

4. LSU-the game vs. UCLA today looked like a championship level battle. Both teams made some great plays, played with a ton of fire and it was a blast to watch all around. Flau'jae Johnson is elevating LSU to be a realistic title contender with her play in the post season. Reese will have an easier time tomorrow going up against Iowa than she did Betts. This is clearly the matchup to watch.

5. NC State-they were also brilliant vs. Stanford. Their guards are quick and capable of taking over games. Texas is going to be a tough match up though and I don't expect it to be an easy game.

6. USC-eeked out a win over Baylor. They've had a great season to get this far as a #1 seed, but they'll need to be more efficient to take down UCONN.

7. Oregon State-could be put above USC, they're playing well and dominated Notre Dame inside but will have a much tougher task vs South Carolina.

8. UCONN-they were blowing out Duke and almost let them get back in the 4th quarter. They haven't looked great, but they're still in the Elite 8 with Paige Bueckers playing really good basketball. I'd look for Edwards to have a big game vs. USC. I think their experience and virtue of having Paige could take them to another Final Four.


Predictions:

South Carolina over Oregon State, 75-63. I think Oregon State keeps it close but SC just outmans them down the stretch. I think SC brings a really strong effort after a lackluster finish to the Sweet 16.

Texas over NC State, 67-63. In a battle of 2 very well coached teams, I think Booker takes over and proves to be the best player on the court. Texas is just a little more complete and gets back to the Final Four for the first time in 21 years.

LSU over Iowa, 85-77. I think they match up favorably to Iowa. More size, they can get Iowa into foul trouble and I see Reese/Flaujae feasting. I could also see Clark just going insane and having a legendary performance but I'm sticking with LSU in this one.

UCONN over USC, 68-60. Another drudge it out battle, Paige takes over and gets UCONN back to the Final Four in an unexpected way. This also feels like a toss up though since Southern Cal has played and beaten a lot of really good teams this year and I think they have the pieces to do it.

 

[Bone Dog]

Quick power rankings/predictions entering the Sweet 16:

1. South Carolina-they're still undefeated and #1 despite a rough 4th quarter vs. Indiana. I think they come out and likely beat Oregon State, but Oregon State is playing well.

2. Texas-they've looked consistently the best this tournament. They defend the heck out of you, have guards that can make shots and a great playmaker in Booker. Aaliyah Moore is a stud too. This team has championship potential and size and athleticism to be great.

3. Iowa-they were unbelievable today vs. Colorado, LSU will be a different animal though. If they get the ball movement, shot making and spacing they had today, they can win. Clark has to bring her best stuff like she did today.

4. LSU-the game vs. UCLA today looked like a championship level battle. Both teams made some great plays, played with a ton of fire and it was a blast to watch all around. Flau'jae Johnson is elevating LSU to be a realistic title contender with her play in the post season. Reese will have an easier time tomorrow going up against Iowa than she did Betts. This is clearly the matchup to watch.

5. NC State-they were also brilliant vs. Stanford. Their guards are quick and capable of taking over games. Texas is going to be a tough match up though and I don't expect it to be an easy game.

6. USC-eeked out a win over Baylor. They've had a great season to get this far as a #1 seed, but they'll need to be more efficient to take down UCONN.

7. Oregon State-could be put above USC, they're playing well and dominated Notre Dame inside but will have a much tougher task vs South Carolina.

8. UCONN-they were blowing out Duke and almost let them get back in the 4th quarter. They haven't looked great, but they're still in the Elite 8 with Paige Bueckers playing really good basketball. I'd look for Edwards to have a big game vs. USC. I think their experience and virtue of having Paige could take them to another Final Four.


Predictions:

South Carolina over Oregon State, 75-63. I think Oregon State keeps it close but SC just outmans them down the stretch. I think SC brings a really strong effort after a lackluster finish to the Sweet 16.

Texas over NC State, 67-63. In a battle of 2 very well coached teams, I think Booker takes over and proves to be the best player on the court. Texas is just a little more complete and gets back to the Final Four for the first time in 21 years.

LSU over Iowa, 85-77. I think they match up favorably to Iowa. More size, they can get Iowa into foul trouble and I see Reese/Flaujae feasting. I could also see Clark just going insane and having a legendary performance but I'm sticking with LSU in this one.

UCONN over USC, 68-60. Another drudge it out battle, Paige takes over and gets UCONN back to the Final Four in an unexpected way. This also feels like a toss up though since Southern Cal has played and beaten a lot of really good teams this year and I think they have the pieces to do it.

I wonder if we'll see a Texas-USCw NC game.

 

[Boreifs]

Four one seeds versus four three seeds. What were the chances of that happening?

 

[CTBballfan243]

I think USoCal’s athleticism

 

[DEpup]

It means the 2 seeds were over rated.

 

[CTBballfan243]

I think USoCal’s athleticism, size in the post, and JU Ju Walkins will just be to much for UConn to with contend with. I hope I’m wrong. I predict
USoCal 66
UConn 54

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

It means the 2 seeds were over rated.

Who were the two seeds

 

[DEpup]

Who were the two seeds

ND
UCLA
Stanford
Ohio State

I'm not sure the PAC12 was accurately assessed through the season beating up on each other.

 

[jaydee602]

Vegas has already posted the point spread for UCONN/ USC.
UCONN is favored by 3 points
The over/ under is 135.5 total points.

 

[bballnut90]

It means the 2 seeds were over rated.

UCLA I think beats any of the other 3 seeds. LSU was a brutal draw for them. The others I agree. Stanford had a favorable PAC schedule, Ohio State was never 2 seed material despite getting the seed, Notre Dame was a borderline 4/5 until the end of the regular season too.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Vegas has already posted the point spread for UCONN/ USC.
UCONN is favored by 3 points
The over/ under is 135.5 total points.

Vegas must not have watched the UConn/Duke game tonight. LOL

 

[Cuango]

Let’s say Paige and JuJu cancel each other out scoring. How do the remaining players measure up? I have to believe Paige will substantially outplay JuJu in every way but scoring and perhaps rebounding. If that happens, I think this game will be determined (barring foul trouble) by Aaliyah & Ashlynn. If those two score 17+ each and Nika and KK just give us their average game, we should win this game going away. Of course, this assumes that our girls can get their legs back by Monday night!

As someone else pointed out earlier though, this team has certainly overachieved at this point and is playing on house money.
While that certainly does not lessen my desire for them to win, let me just say how proud I am of these young women who have basically given their all for this program and who, win or lose Monday night, have carved themselves out a permanent niche in the pantheon of great UConn teams! Whenever the question of “What was the toughest UConn team ever?” they will absolutely be among the top choices!

I also have to mention the coaching job Geno has put in this season. While I doubt the National Media will agree, I believe it to be among the best jobs of his legendary career! I’d like to see any other coach take this roster with all the injuries, the lack of any meaningful bench, and the fact that four out of seven of the contributing players were freshmen, and still, on the eve of the Elite Eight, be a favorite to make it to yet another Final Four! Anyone out there who wants to intimate that Geno has “lost his fastball”, can kiss my royal heinie!

 

[Next 12]

No-one should count Uconn out until the final buzzer. There are many' many teams that were supposed to beat Uconn, according to the Pundits, and didn't.This is the Elite Eight and no team has been to it as many times as Uconn. This is Uconn's territory and they become different players when they get here. Uconn has a tradition that they belong here, that they earned this spot in spite of all their injuries. I am looking forward to seeing the surprised and downcast faces of the other players as we continue our march forward. This is our year and I BELIEVE!!!!!! GO FRESHMEN!!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!! GO PAIGE!!!!!

 

[SLY63]

I am shocked that we are favorite over USC. I am a die-hard UConn fan, but would put $$$ on USC +3.5

 

[hussybulldog]

I am shocked that we are favorite over USC. I am a die-hard UConn fan, but would put $$$ on USC +3.5

I agree, three graduate students vs three freshmen

 

[jaydee602]

I am shocked that we are favorite over USC. I am a die-hard UConn fan, but would put $$$ on USC +3.5

Vegas understands that each game has its own personality. They don't base their pointspread on one previous game, but on the whole resume of a team & matchups vs. their opponent.
Every champion has a game where they are tested before regaining their top form. Both teams struggled to finish their games to reach the Elite Eight. This game starts with a clean slate!

 

[bballnut90]

Solid win by South Carolina despite inconsistent officiating both ways. Watkins/Johnson were the difference makers today, Ashlyn especially was dominant defensively and on the boards. Johnson hit some big shots and made big plays. On the semis where they'll face Texas or NC State. Texas vs. South Carolina will be Dawn vs. Vic once again, a rematch of the 2017 title game and 2021 Elite 8. I think Texas very easily could upset South Carolina.

If it's NC State vs. SC, it'll be Saniya Rivers going up against her old team. Also, NC State was the last team to beat South Carolina in South Carolina (in Fall 2020).

Up next is Texas/NC State, should be a great battle.

 

[HuskyNan]

Vegas understands that each game has its own personality. They don't base their pointspread on one previous game, but on the whole resume of a team & matchups vs. their opponent.
Every champion has a game where they are tested before regaining their top form. Both teams struggled to finish their games to reach the Elite Eight. This game starts with a clean slate!

Vegas sets odds so that half of the bettors bet on each team. If a lot of people are betting on UConn, the odds will keep moving in their favor to encourage others to bet on the opponent. That’s why odds move.

How Do Bookmakers Generate Sports Odds?

Ever been curious how the spread is determined, or how the moneyline comes into being? Read on to learn more about how odds and lines are made!

www.sportsbettingdime.com

 

[Zinethar]

And all year UConn was put down because it lost to an unranked team in one of the first games of the season when rankings were dumb. How does that game look now to the smart talking heads on the networks. NC State was good and was more ready to play that early in the season. I'm ready for a rematch for the Championship!

 

[uconnfan68]

Solid win by South Carolina despite inconsistent officiating both ways. Watkins/Johnson were the difference makers today, Ashlyn especially was dominant defensively and on the boards. Johnson hit some big shots and made big plays. On the semis where they'll face Texas or NC State. Texas vs. South Carolina will be Dawn vs. Vic once again, a rematch of the 2017 title game and 2021 Elite 8. I think Texas very easily could upset South Carolina.

If it's NC State vs. SC, it'll be Saniya Rivers going up against her old team. Also, NC State was the last team to beat South Carolina in South Carolina (in Fall 2020).

Up next is Texas/NC State, should be a great battle.

NCSt wins.

 

[Longtime fan]

I wonder if we'll see a Texas-USCw NC game.

Nope

 

[Longtime fan]

NCSt wins.

No one is beating South Carolina this year.

 

[uconnfan68]

No one is beating South Carolina this year.

I meant they beat Texas.

 

[Cuango]

No one is beating South Carolina this year.

They’ve come uncomfortably close several times now in the past three or so weeks. They’re clearly the Alpha team but they’re not unbeatable!

 

[Bone Dog]

How’s this scenario:

UConn beats USC and Iowa beats LSU and then meet in the final four. Everyone assumes, probably not wrongly, that SC will win the NC game against either opponent.

But the Iowa-UConn will have the better narrative, the better matchup of superstars. It’s the game the media will love.

I suspect the NC game, where SC thumps either Iowa or UConn, could feel like an afterthought and that the real event was the prior game. SC will be national champions, but the Paige-Caitlin matchup is what will be remembered.