ESPN Sweet 16 Predictions | The Boneyard

ESPN Sweet 16 Predictions

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None of the teams in UCONN's bracket scares me and none of the projected Final Four teams do either. We lost to SC when we were without Azzi and were at our weakest by a mere 4 points. We are playing cohesive UCONN March basketball and I honestly can't see any team remaining beating us. A round dozen National Championships is my prediction!
 
PvP said:
None of the teams in UCONN's bracket scares me and none of the projected Final Four teams do either. We lost to SC when we were without Azzi and were at our weakest by a mere 4 points. We are playing cohesive UCONN March basketball and I honestly can't see any team remaining beating us. A round dozen National Championships is my prediction!
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So you can’t see any team beating you? I feel that UConn and South Carolina are on a collision course for the national championship game. You are improved and healthier than the first of the year. We have improved as well. SC can lose to UConn (assuming neither of us gets upset before then), and UConn can lose to SC.

SC has more pressure IMO due to longevity of the win strak and you know it has to end sooner or later. There’s also the pressure of this being the last time this special group may play together so we may feel that and tighten up. But after having a target on our back all season, and playing a tough schedule, our team appears refreshed and back on a mission so I would not bet against us.

Hope we both get there and then O what a night!
 
Sorry gamecock, but you barely beat us when we were at our weakest. Now we have a team that is gelling at just the right time having added a superstar who makes everyone around her better by the threat she poses. And you have basically the same team that squeaked by us.

Except for a freak accident, we would also have had Paige Buckets and then even you would have to admit it would have been nothing short of a blowout.

You might not even beat Iowa much less the hell-bent Huskies. Enjoy your streak while you can...
 
I believe that if UConn and SC play for the National Championship, UConn will prevail. Yes SC has improved, but hasn't played a team like UConn this season. UConn is a completely different team with the additions of Azzi and Caroline. SC does not have the numbers this time and will not be able to stop the three point shooters. @Tngamecock SC got away with the mugging of Lou, they won't be able to do that against Azzi, Caroline and Lou without getting called on them.
 
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Tngamecock said:
So you can’t see any team beating you? I feel that UConn and South Carolina are on a collision course for the national championship game. You are improved and healthier than the first of the year. We have improved as well. SC can lose to UConn (assuming neither of us gets upset before then), and UConn can lose to SC.

SC has more pressure IMO due to longevity of the win strak and you know it has to end sooner or later. There’s also the pressure of this being the last time this special group may play together so we may feel that and tighten up. But after having a target on our back all season, and playing a tough schedule, our team appears refreshed and back on a mission so I would not bet against us.

Hope we both get there and then O what a night!
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Really.. Uconn went 111 games, 90..games and 70 games without loseing..I guess I don't think of SC of having this great streak..One thing I will give SC is motivation..Most posters on here feel Uconn has this great motivation to win # 12..that may be true but I think it pales to the motivation SC has to have an undefeated season and win back to back titles..the players have talked about it and Dawn has talked about it
 
LSU, Iowa, Maryland, UConn, and SC are unanimous choices.

Nova 3-2 over Miami.

Tenn 3-2 over Va Tech.

L'ville 4-1 over Ole Miss.
 
I root for Uconn, but not blindly by any means, and these “Uconn can’t be beat” and “if we only had Bueckers” posts have reached the point of absurdity to me. Uconn can be beat and Bueckers isn’t playing. Further, the fact is, Uconn could not stay within double digits of SC with Bueckers on the court twice last year. The fact is in the 2 games Bueckers averaged 16.5 PPG, shot 14-32 44%, 2-6 from 3 33%, with 9 assists and 5 TOs. Not bad numbers at all but not nearly numbers to objectively support how her presence would now flip those results around to Uconn winning by “nothing short of a blowout.”
To add to that analysis, the one big difference in the 2 games Uconn has been truly competitive with SC in the last 3 years, a close OT win in 20-21, in which Bueckers had a truly terrific game, and the close loss this year, was major minutes in both for Muhl. This years game also saw Uconn score 77 points, the most given up by SC this year and pretty much dwarfing the 57 and 49 scored in the two games last year.
 
PvP said:
Sorry gamecock, but you barely beat us when we were at our weakest. Now we have a team that is gelling at just the right time having added a superstar who makes everyone around her better by the threat she poses. And you have basically the same team that squeaked by us.

Except for a freak accident, we would also have had Paige Buckets and then even you would have to admit it would have been nothing short of a blowout.

You might not even beat Iowa much less the hell-bent Huskies. Enjoy your streak while you can...
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Lol….like George Costanza said….”it’s not a lie if you believe it.”

You realize you had Paige last year…..we are better this year.

But it should be a great game nonetheless. Good luck until we meet again.
 
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MSGRET said:
I believe that if UConn and SC play for the National Championship, UConn will prevail. Yes SC has improved, but hasn't played a team like UConn this season. UConn is a completely different team with the additions of Azzi and Caroline. SC does not have the numbers this time and will not be able to stop the three point shooters. @Tngamecock SC got away with the mugging of Lou, they won't be able to do that against Azzi, Caroline and Lou without getting called on them.
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Yep….some people got mugged in that game….their names were Boston and Cardoso.
 
Littlemin said:
I root for Uconn, but not blindly by any means, and these “Uconn can’t be beat” and “if we only had Bueckers” posts have reached the point of absurdity to me. Uconn can be beat and Bueckers isn’t playing. Further, the fact is, Uconn could not stay within double digits of SC with Bueckers on the court twice last year. The fact is in the 2 games Bueckers averaged 16.5 PPG, shot 14-32 44%, 2-6 from 3 33%, with 9 assists and 5 TOs. Not bad numbers at all but not nearly numbers to objectively support how her presence would now flip those results around to Uconn winning by “nothing short of a blowout.”
To add to that analysis, the one big difference in the 2 games Uconn has been truly competitive with SC in the last 3 years, a close OT win in 20-21, in which Bueckers had a truly terrific game, and the close loss this year, was major minutes in both for Muhl. This years game also saw Uconn score 77 points, the most given up by SC this year and pretty much dwarfing the 57 and 49 scored in the two games last year.
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I don't disagree with your premise that UCONN can be beat. But I will say that this UCONN team in my opinion is way better than last years UCONN team. For one thing Liv had no chance defending Boston and had no chance on offense against her. Last year UCONN had Paige who was reliable in the clutch but CW and Evina were not good shooters, at least not on the level of Lou or Caroline.

But if both teams make it to the final each team will have a way to win the game. The line on the game will be super close and UCONN will definitely be the underdog so they won't be coming in with the big head. The thing is one of them could be gone before they ever at the end.
 
Tngamecock said:
Yep….some people got mugged in that game….their names were Boston and Cardoso.
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I am a huge fan of Lou but there is a huge difference between being soft and being mugged. She is not a physical player at all. Example. Last game she gets hit in the nose and quits while the player she is suppose to be guarding hits a 3. Azzi and Paige are played way more physical than Lou but they fight thru it and don't let it get to them.

Boston fouls every time down the floor sometimes 3 or 4 times per possession but she also gets fouled 3-4 times each time down the floor. So as an official you either have to let both sides beat each other up or you foul out the two players the fans came to watch. SC beat UCONN because they were a better team not because of fouls. With Azzi healthy and Caroline healthy I think UCONN is at least equal now so it should be a great match up if it happens.
 
Tngamecock said:
Lol….like George Costanza said….”it’s not a lie if you believe it.”

You realize you had Paige last year…..we are better this year.

But it should be a great game nonetheless. Good luck until we meet again.
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Yes UConn had Paige but she was nowhere near 100%
 
For now, the record books show that in 2021, Uconn beat South Carolina in the regular season, but both lost in the Final 4. Stanford was the best team that year.

In 2022, Uconn lost to South Carolina in the regular season and the National Championship game. South Carolina was the best team that year.

In 2023, South Carolina beat Uconn in the regular season, and the rest is TBD. Should they meet and South Carolina wins, everyone will remember South Carolina being the best and undefeated team. Should Uconn win, many may reflect back and wonder if Uconn was the best team all along, just lurking in the shadows due to mid season injuries.

The what ifs are always endless, but when the dust settles, it’s all about who wins the game, regardless of injuries.
 
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Rowdy831 said:
I am a huge fan of Lou but there is a huge difference between being soft and being mugged. She is not a physical player at all. Example. Last game she gets hit in the nose and quits while the player she is suppose to be guarding hits a 3. Azzi and Paige are played way more physical than Lou but they fight thru it and don't let it get to them.

Boston fouls every time down the floor sometimes 3 or 4 times per possession but she also gets fouled 3-4 times each time down the floor. So as an official you either have to let both sides beat each other up or you foul out the two players the fans came to watch. SC beat UCONN because they were a better team not because of fouls. With Azzi healthy and Caroline healthy I think UCONN is at least equal now so it should be a great match up if it happens.
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Good post! You nailed it. It’s like holding in football…we notice when our defenders get held, but we miss it when our Oline holds the other team. UConn and Stanford were the only two that concerned me…now it’s only UConn. Everyone knows how good you can be. Dawn consistently uses the level UConn set for WBB as a bar to strive for. UT and UConn set the standard.

I don’t see any team other than possibly UConn ending our season. Doesn’t mean we can’t lose to UCLA on Saturday, but I watched our game from early this season again because I couldn’t remember it. I would be shocked if they beat us.
 
Rowdy831 said:
I don't disagree with your premise that UCONN can be beat. But I will say that this UCONN team in my opinion is way better than last years UCONN team. For one thing Liv had no chance defending Boston and had no chance on offense against her. Last year UCONN had Paige who was reliable in the clutch but CW and Evina were not good shooters, at least not on the level of Lou or Caroline.

But if both teams make it to the final each team will have a way to win the game. The line on the game will be super close and UCONN will definitely be the underdog so they won't be coming in with the big head. The thing is one of them could be gone before they ever at the end.
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I am not remotely commenting on what would happen if Uconn and SC meet in the championship game this year or whether this years Uconn team is better than last years. The final chapter for this years team is still to be written. I do agree either SC or Uconn or both could lose before the NC game. My comments you replied to were solely related to the premises that Uconn was an unbeatable team and that they would blow out SC if Bueckers was available. There is no objective support for either position.
 
Littlemin said:
I root for Uconn, but not blindly by any means, and these “Uconn can’t be beat” and “if we only had Bueckers” posts have reached the point of absurdity to me. Uconn can be beat and Bueckers isn’t playing. Further, the fact is, Uconn could not stay within double digits of SC with Bueckers on the court twice last year. The fact is in the 2 games Bueckers averaged 16.5 PPG, shot 14-32 44%, 2-6 from 3 33%, with 9 assists and 5 TOs. Not bad numbers at all but not nearly numbers to objectively support how her presence would now flip those results around to Uconn winning by “nothing short of a blowout.”
To add to that analysis, the one big difference in the 2 games Uconn has been truly competitive with SC in the last 3 years, a close OT win in 20-21, in which Bueckers had a truly terrific game, and the close loss this year, was major minutes in both for Muhl. This years game also saw Uconn score 77 points, the most given up by SC this year and pretty much dwarfing the 57 and 49 scored in the two games last year.
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UCONN hasn't had a complete fully loaded team since last beating South Carolina. I would have liked to seen the championship game last season played with the healthy Dorka, Azzi and Aubrey. It Doesn't mean we would have won, but I just would like to have seen what it look like. Two 6'5 post players who give us more wiggle room to play aggressive.
 
Let the SC homers come here and puff their feathers. It’s fine. The last few years, they’ve found the biggest baddest kid on the playground in UConn, and stayed in the ring with them. However, that time is coming to an end. Watch the “likes” for this post, too. It will be full of SC fans with laughter emojis because they are trying to convince themselves it’s not true.

As I’ve said before, they are Notre Dame of the early 2010s. Once this class is gone, they’ll come back to earth. LSU will dominate that conference in another year once Mulkey gets more recruiting classes. Until then, we just have to wade in this tide. Yes, SC won last year. Yes, they beat UConn in the regular season. We know. We believe UConn will win in a rematch.
 
Tngamecock said:
Lol….like George Costanza said….”it’s not a lie if you believe it.”

You realize you had Paige last year…..we are better this year.

But it should be a great game nonetheless. Good luck until we meet again.
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We had Paige last year like we have Azzi this year. Coming back from an injury after having the vast majority of the middle of the season off. If memory serves me correctly Paige was also playing through pain.....
You believe your team is better this year, but so is UCONN. If I were a gamecock fan I would not overlook Iowa.
 
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Geesworld said:
UCONN hasn't had a complete fully loaded team since last beating South Carolina. I would have liked to seen the championship game last season played with the healthy Dorka, Azzi and Aubrey. It Doesn't mean we would have won, but I just would like to have seen what it look like. Two 6'5 post players who give us more wiggle room to play aggressive.
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You play with who you have. Uconn was good enough to beat Stanford, Indiana and NC State without Dorka or Griffin but then they lose and out come the excuses and rationalizations. You can take solace in that if it makes you feel better, the fact is Uconn had the players to win the NC and just were not tough enough mentally or physically to stand up to SC.
 
MSGRET said:
I believe that if UConn and SC play for the National Championship, UConn will prevail. Yes SC has improved, but hasn't played a team like UConn this season. UConn is a completely different team with the additions of Azzi and Caroline. SC does not have the numbers this time and will not be able to stop the three point shooters. @Tngamecock SC got away with the mugging of Lou, they won't be able to do that against Azzi, Caroline and Lou without getting called on them.
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Haven’t played a team like UConn? If you say so. SC‘s 40 bench points per game is the difference.
 
BookGuy09 said:
Let the SC homers come here and puff their feathers. It’s fine. The last few years, they’ve found the biggest baddest kid on the playground in UConn, and stayed in the ring with them. However, that time is coming to an end. Watch the “likes” for this post, too. It will be full of SC fans with laughter emojis because they are trying to convince themselves it’s not true.

As I’ve said before, they are Notre Dame of the early 2010s. Once this class is gone, they’ll come back to earth. LSU will dominate that conference in another year once Mulkey gets more recruiting classes. Until then, we just have to wade in this tide. Yes, SC won last year. Yes, they beat UConn in the regular season. We know. We believe UConn will win in a rematch.
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I am too lazy for the emoji…..but SC was the best team in the nation when covid stopped the tournament from taking place. I think even the most ardent Yukon fan would say that as well. We just did not get a chance to prove it in the tournament. And what makes you think we will be coming back down to earth and LSU will take over? This very board was talking about how soft the LSU schedule was. We promptly beat them by 24. We won the national championship in 2017. I guess we were coming back down to earth when A’ja Wilson left also.

I have been a fan of this board since last year and read numerous posts. The sentiment here was much different six weeks ago. Now in a matter of 10 days, you’ve become untouchable and the best team in college basketball. I think the truth may be somewhere in the middle. South Carolina’s second five would be in this week sweet 16 this year. They will all be back. We are not dropping far.

you’ll also be happy to know that everyone on our team, with the exception of Fletcher and Saxton can come back next year. It may happen.
 
PvP said:
What makes you think

What makes you feel that SC will have a "huge home crowd advantage" in Dallas? I think we have all seen how UCONN has fans all over the country who can be counted on to show up and make their presence felt. This belief that they will have a huge home crowd advantage seems the basis of a great deal of your argument that they will benefit from ref calls and such, so I am very curious what makes you so sure of this "huge" home court advantage so far from their actual home court??
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I’m not so sure either of us will have a big fan advantage in Dallas Texas
 
BookGuy09 said:
Let the SC homers come here and puff their feathers. It’s fine. The last few years, they’ve found the biggest baddest kid on the playground in UConn, and stayed in the ring with them. However, that time is coming to an end. Watch the “likes” for this post, too. It will be full of SC fans with laughter emojis because they are trying to convince themselves it’s not true.

As I’ve said before, they are Notre Dame of the early 2010s. Once this class is gone, they’ll come back to earth. LSU will dominate that conference in another year once Mulkey gets more recruiting classes. Until then, we just have to wade in this tide. Yes, SC won last year. Yes, they beat UConn in the regular season. We know. We believe UConn will win in a rematch.
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Wow. UConn was beat by double digits by South Carolina twice last year. Maybe ratchet back the puffery until UConn can beat them
 
browns said:
Really.. Uconn went 111 games, 90..games and 70 games without loseing..I guess I don't think of SC of having this great streak..One thing I will give SC is motivation..Most posters on here feel Uconn has this great motivation to win # 12..that may be true but I think it pales to the motivation SC has to have an undefeated season and win back to back titles..the players have talked about it and Dawn has talked about it
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Agreed. I know the media likes to play up the streak and of course it is meaningful to SC fans, but in the grand scheme of things it isn't that great. I definitely think SC feels the pressure to keep up the streak and win another title.
 
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