ESPN's predictions for Final Four and National Championship

[BRS24]

Here we go folks. Some initial predictions as we start the season today.

 

[Ozimoto]

Some potential bulletin board motivation there.

 

[SportsFan92]

Not surprisingly shocked. Vopel has always hated UConn and GENO. Her opinion means nothing!! If UConn stays healthy they will win #12. I’m not soled on LSU!!

 

[slug25]

Diana won player of the year with a relatively modest PPG average.

 

[meyers7]

There is like 5 NPOY awards. (Naismith, Wade, Wooden, AP and USBWA) If UCONN runs the table and wins a NC, I could see Bueckers and Clark splitting the awards.

(assuming they both have injury free, outstanding years)

 

[cometjo]

Diana won player of the year with a relatively modest PPG average.

But over who? (Not a rhetorical question, I don't actually know). Perfectly possible to win without tons of points, but not so easy over a player as spectacular as Clark. (To be clear, I think Paige is better, but she's less important to UConn than Clark is to Iowa.

 

[sun]

I'll bet that Paige would gladly give away a POY award in exchange for a NC.
Clark would too.

 

[MilfordHusky]

But over who? (Not a rhetorical question, I don't actually know). Perfectly possible to win without tons of points, but not so easy over a player as spectacular as Clark. (To be clear, I think Paige is better, but she's less important to UConn than Clark is to Iowa.

Alana Beard of Duke.

 

[meyers7]

Alana Beard of Duke.

2004, DT won the Wade, Beard won the Naismith, Wooden, AP and USBWA.

 

[Bone Dog]

To be clear, I think Paige is better, but she's less important to UConn than Clark is to Iowa.

I think the last two seasons have demonstrated how absolutely important Paige really is to UConn. With her in the lineup we are a contender, without her not.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I think the last two seasons have demonstrated how absolutely important Paige really is to UConn. With her in the lineup we are a contender, without her not.

What do you think Iowa would be without Clark? Last year's runner up, probably a 1 and done team without her.

 

[SEbluebood]

Never want to overreact to the first game of the season, but I wonder if any of the “experts” would reconsider their predictions after seeing SC demolish ND. That team has a lot of talent and athleticism! Looked like a FF team to me and Cardoso and that freshman guard could be special!

 

[Ozimoto]

I think the speculation on the demise of South Carolina's shot at the Final Four are a bit premature, to say the least. They also won their exhibition against Rutgers by 40 points or so.

 

[Bigboote]

I can't find it right now, but I seem to remember that Iowa was #3 or 4 in ESPN's own preseason poll. Yet of these four writers, who all voted in that, none has Iowa making the final 4. SMH.

My own dirty lens, I'd lean toward Indiana making the final 4. But honestly I think these folks are correct that UConn and LSU are odds-on to make the Final 4; beyond that it's a crap shoot. If I had to guess, I'd have South Carolina as the final team, but right now any of Iowa, VaTech, UCLA, maybe Iowa.

 

[Geew1992]

I think the speculation on the demise of South Carolina's shot at the Final Four are a bit premature, to say the least. They also won their exhibition against Rutgers by 40 points or so.

I’d be shocked if they didn’t make the final 4

 

[Bone Dog]

What do you think Iowa would be without Clark? Last year's runner up, probably a 1 and done team without her.

Were you expecting me to disagree with this sentiment? I merely said Paige was absolutely important to UConn.

 

[Bone Dog]

UConn and LSU are odds-on to make the Final 4;

I don't agree with this. LSU strikes me as a long shot for the final four. SC UConn VPI Utah IU, even ND and UCLA, all look like more likely Final Four teams to me. In my view, if Reese has to play the 5, which she didn't have to do last season, they become a small team. On the other hand, if they rely on Rosario to play the 5, Reese will have better stats but they will be a slow team.

 

[tchalla1]

Never want to overreact to the first game of the season, but I wonder if any of the “experts” would reconsider their predictions after seeing SC demolish ND. That team has a lot of talent and athleticism! Looked like a FF team to me and Cardoso and that freshman guard could be special!

I agree--Maylasia Fulwiley, IMO, is just as impressive as Juju Watkins and along with PaoPao and other incoming players, SC is the most formidable team in WBB. Their depth in the frontcourt is unbelievable Don't know why the experts are not considering SC!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Were you expecting me to disagree with this sentiment? I merely said Paige was absolutely important to UConn.

Both are critically important to their teams. I think if you removed both, UConn would be considerably better than Iowa.

 

[ConwayGmck]

Not surprisingly shocked. Vopel has always hated UConn and GENO. Her opinion means nothing!! If UConn stays healthy they will win #12. I’m not soled on LSU!!

soiled*

 

[ConwayGmck]

I think perhaps some perceptions in this thread changed a little after the USC-ND game. Maybe they will change again after the LSU-Colorado game later tonight??? Or, maybe not...........

 

[maple]

I agree--Maylasia Fulwiley, IMO, is just as impressive as Juju Watkins and along with PaoPao and other incoming players, SC is the most formidable team in WBB. Their depth in the frontcourt is unbelievable Don't know why the experts are not considering SC!

I’m not sold yet that SCar is the most formidable team in WBB based on just the first game of the season.

 

[MilfordHusky]

LSU is playing later this evening. I'll try to catch a little of their game. Based on what I saw of SC this afternoon, I think the Gamecocks may well be the better team. I guess Tennessee is playing for 3rd place in the SEC this season--maybe.

 

[tchalla1]

I’m not sold yet that SCar is the most formidable team in WBB based on just the first game of the season.

Actually, my assessment was made before their win over Notre Dame...