Expert picks for Final Four (from CBS Sports)

[HooperScooper]

Gary Parrish starting the disrespect early I see….

He wrote this exactly 1 month ago. I guess he didn't like how they looked against URI.

Monday served as the latest reminder when UConn added the first member of its 2025 recruiting class. (There's more to come, obviously). Two Mondays from now, we'll see Hurley on the sideline again for the first time since April when his Huskies meet Rhode Island in an exhibition inside Mohegan Sun Arena. Twenty-five Mondays after that, the championship game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament will be held in San Antonio. A lot of things will have to break right for Hurley to get there, then even more things will have to break right for him to win it. It's a daunting task, for sure. Like our Candid Coaches series suggested last month, the smart move would likely be to bet against it. Probabilities and all that.

But I'm not betting my money against it.

Nope, not this time.

On his way to a possible three-peat, UConn coach Dan Hurley lands commitment from top-25 recruit Darius Adams

Adams, a four-star guard, is the Huskies' first recruit for the Class of 2025

www.cbssports.com

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I don't think it's disrespectful to say that it will be a daunting task for a team that's lost two lottery picks and two other draft picks to win their third consecutive national championship in this era of college basketball. If anything, these guys are showing a hell of a lot of respect for a program that's returning one starter for so many of them to have them in the Final Four for the third straight year. That's basically saying "Hurley's the man. He'll figure it out."

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I don't think it's disrespectful to say that it will be a daunting task for a team that's lost two lottery picks and two other draft picks to win their third consecutive national championship in this era of college basketball. If anything, these guys are showing a hell of a lot of respect for a program that's returning one starter for so many of them to have them in the Final Four for the third straight year. That's basically saying "Hurley's the man. He'll figure it out."

My comment was tongue-in-cheek because Parrish’s refusal to move UConn ahead in his rankings last year despite it being glaringly obvious we were the best team in basketball by the end. I don’t actually think it’s disrespectful (but Dan Hurley sure as hell will pretend it is).

 

[JohnFSilver]

Vecenie also has us winning the National Championship in The Athletic season preview/final four predictions. And 5 of the 10 "experts" have us making the Final Four.

I don’t think. We understand, how big this is.

We always have a penchant to downplay here in CT. This is a historic run we haven’t seen in 50 years.

I think they are good enough to make a run, by what I saw against PC. Imagine a final four game, with UConn in the final four playing for a chance to go to the title game.

That Saturday night and Monday night fame might get bonkers ratings.

Rooting for UConn-Duke, final four semi in April 2025.

 

[JohnFSilver]

I don't think it's disrespectful to say that it will be a daunting task for a team that's lost two lottery picks and two other draft picks to win their third consecutive national championship in this era of college basketball. If anything, these guys are showing a hell of a lot of respect for a program that's returning one starter for so many of them to have them in the Final Four for the third straight year. That's basically saying "Hurley's the man. He'll figure it out."

It’s going to be very very daunting . Not only two lottery picks, but an all American performer and one of best shooters in recent college hoops memory.

That said, Karaban is a big time college soccer and they got senior PG and vet in Mahaney. They are gonna shoot a ton of 3s and pass the ball like a euro team.

It’s also his fourth year up here. Gonna be amazing year for him.

 

[JayKoz]

Am I the only person to notice “Clignan”? Even my iPhone just tried to correct it.

 

[NewBlood]

I don’t think. We understand, how big this is.

We always have a penchant to downplay here in CT. This is a historic run we haven’t seen in 50 years.

I think they are good enough to make a run, by what I saw against PC. Imagine a final four game, with UConn in the final four playing for a chance to go to the title game.

That Saturday night and Monday night fame might get bonkers ratings.

Rooting for UConn-Duke, final four semi in April 2025.

I would not want Duke - UCONN, not because I think we would lose to them but if WE had Flagg and they didn’t, there is no f%#%*ng way they beat us

If we had Flagg right now, our 3 peat would be a damn lock

 

[RuffRuff]

unlike alabama, ours will actually play defense though

Bama did dial up the defense in the tourney. They made the F4 and gave us easily our toughest fight, beat a 1 seed on the way. I’d say they did ok in the limelight last year with a core group that came back.

I would not want Duke - UCONN, not because I think we would lose to them but if WE had Flagg and they didn’t, there is no f%#%*ng way they beat us

If we had Flagg right now, our 3 peat would be a damn lock

Would love Duke. It’s been too long. Has Danny ever beat them? Way too much to love about this matchup in terms of storylines. The Hurley connection to Duke, Flaggs recruitment, our overall history with them. Would be great for the sport. Titus said his dream F4 in terms of just juicy storyline would be UConn, Duke, StJ and Bama. I like that mix. Rutgers, Ark or KU in there would be fun too.

 

[uh-no]

Bama did dial up the defense in the tourney. They made the F4 and gave us easily our toughest fight, beat a 1 seed on the way. I’d say they did ok in the limelight last year with a core group that came back.

They gave up 90+ to Charleston and 87 87 82 in three of their other games. They didn't ratchet up anything. They were good all year long, but on the backs is their high powered offense. They succeeded in spite of their defense.

 

[shizzle787]

Gary Parrish starting the disrespect early I see….

He's a Boilermaker...

 

[RuffRuff]

He's a Boilermaker...

GP is a total Memphis dude, went to college there and still lives there.

As for Bama, defense showed up down the stretch when they needed stops. Oats system is offense first for sure, but via depth and pace, is able to make stops in the last 5. Bit of a bend but don’t break model for hoops. Hurley wears you out within the shot clock as you have to play defense for the entire clock, Oats looks to push a shot within 12 seconds. Both systems are intended to wear you out.

 

[shizzle787]

GP is a total Memphis dude, went to college there and still lives there.

As for Bama, defense showed up down the stretch when they needed stops. Oats system is offense first for sure, but via depth and pace, is able to make stops in the last 5. Bit of a bend but don’t break model for hoops. Hurley wears you out within the shot clock as you have to play defense for the entire clock, Oats looks to push a shot within 12 seconds. Both systems are intended to wear you out.

I know...it's his schtick.

 

[NewBlood]

Bama did dial up the defense in the tourney. They made the F4 and gave us easily our toughest fight, beat a 1 seed on the way. I’d say they did ok in the limelight last year with a core group that came back.

Would love Duke. It’s been too long. Has Danny ever beat them? Way too much to love about this matchup in terms of storylines. The Hurley connection to Duke, Flaggs recruitment, our overall history with them. Would be great for the sport. Titus said his dream F4 in terms of just juicy storyline would be UConn, Duke, StJ and Bama. I like that mix. Rutgers, Ark or KU in there would be fun too.

UCONN vs DUKE final would be the dream media matchup of the year. So many storylines, so much high quality history, 11 championships over the 33 years

 

[HooperScooper]

Gary Parrish starting the disrespect early I see….

He may not love the team but at least he likes Hurley.

"Our mindset going in is we want to go five for five with the championships," Hurley said on ESPN earlier this week. "That's what you come to UConn … to do, if you coach here, or you play here, and for me … and everyone associated with the program, any season that doesn't end with us achieving championship goals for us, in our minds, is a failure here at UConn."

I love every bit of that.

College basketball rankings: UConn, Dan Hurley embrace challenge of winning third consecutive NCAA Tournament

The Huskies' quest for a three-peat begins Wednesday when they open their season vs. Sacred Heart

www.cbssports.com

 

[CL82]

Gary Parrish starting the disrespect early I see….

Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?

 

[The Yakk]

Non-homerish, gun to head this year, putting money on Bama. Oates is in many ways part of the Hurley tree, forward thinking and data reliant. With a real rim protector and Sears, as well as that deep roster, coming off a F4, really like what they’re rolling out there. They feel due.

I question Kansas’ chemistry. Not ready to anoint Houston without Shead. Love Sampson but hard to replace that kind of gamer on a team that tends to struggle offensively. They do have some beasts down low, but always seem to hit an offensive rut in March. Duke is freshman reliant. Flagg is good but unlikely Anthony Davis good. All the other teams come with flaws.

I see what you did there.