Here We Go Folks - The Latest ESPN "Charlie Creme Bracketology as of March 6, 2023

[HuskyNan]

why are people so obsessed with being a 1 seed? Would u rather be a 1 seed in Seattle? Or be a 3 seed in Greenville and get Vtech and Utah?

The question is - why are people obsessed with Crème’s guesses

 

[RedStickHusky]

Every year without fail, ESPN picks some kind of post-season theme -

Their own version of pee'ing on a rug.... Since we're doing themes.

 

[BRS24]

Enormous interest will be generated and more eyeballs will be glued to their dopey broadcasts and more people get to hear Peck and Antonelli compete for the Most Useless Broadcaster Award

Just MHO

Most Useless Broadcaster Award = MUBA. Gonna copy/paste this in my notes for future use.

 

[BRS24]

I actually think Stanford's ceiling is the most limited of the three teams you mentioned because they never figured out a consistent rotation that works and built chemistry around it. On paper their ceiling should be quite high but every game Stanford is a different team, and not in a way that is conducive to winning the NCAA tournament. These are all good point but I don't think Stanford is capable of getting out of the Elite Eight this year and I think their round of 32 game will be a bigger challenge for them than their sweet sixteen game. We shall see if this proves to be right.

Stanford fans - is the lack of a consistent rotation something out of the ordinary for Tara this year in comparison to prior? Any thoughts on why they don't have a fairly fixed lineup? Conversely, Geno loathes making changes once he figures out who is going to start, so he can game plan for the first few minutes each game.

 

[Charliebball]

Not official. but IMO a nice draw.

I'd be somewhat happy with that draw.....looks like the second weakest bracket but UConn must play South Carolina early if they get past Iowa.........if they want to win it they would likely have to play SC eventually.......

 

[CaliHuskyFan]

I thought he was being whipped.

I'm ready to see crème brûlée . . . he will be burnt & offended Sunday when his picks don't match the committee's.

 

[bballnut90]

I actually think Stanford's ceiling is the most limited of the three teams you mentioned because they never figured out a consistent rotation that works and built chemistry around it. On paper their ceiling should be quite high but every game Stanford is a different team, and not in a way that is conducive to winning the NCAA tournament. These are all good point but I don't think Stanford is capable of getting out of the Elite Eight this year and I think their round of 32 game will be a bigger challenge for them than their sweet sixteen game. We shall see if this proves to be right.

Maryland I tend to agree- the seem to lack size and also a true point guard as well. We lost to them without Nike, Dorka and Azzi correct? I wouldn't mind them as an Elite Eight match up but would want to avoid them in the sweet sixteen round.

Iowa I can see out at round 32 or the Sweet Sixteen or making the National Championship Game (and getting crushed by South Carolina). I don't love rematching against teams we've already beaten personally but adding Dorka could be helpful.

It's a valid point regarding Stanford. Part of it too is name recognition and historical success. Seeing Stanford with Tara on the bench strikes fear into opposing fans more than Lynne Roberts at Utah even if their squads are arguably comparable this year. Similar to how UCONN being UCONN carries a certain weight going into each game that will make opposing fans want to avoid their regional even if this years version isn't at the level of their previous teams.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

It's a valid point regarding Stanford. Part of it too is name recognition and historical success. Seeing Stanford with Tara on the bench strikes fear into opposing fans more than Lynne Roberts at Utah even if their squads are arguably comparable this year. Similar to how UCONN being UCONN carries a certain weight going into each game that will make opposing fans want to avoid their regional even if this years version isn't at the level of their previous teams.

That is fair but idk about the last sentece. I think this is the best UConn team since 2018. Unpopular opinion at the moment but I think it will prove to be true in about a month. Certainly they are step above where they were last year and think they have some room to improve if they are able to reintegrate Azzi and CD in the next month. We shall see.

 

[bballnut90]

That is fair but idk about the last sentece. I think this is the best UConn team since 2018. Unpopular opinion at the moment but I think it will prove to be true in about a month. Certainly they are step above where they were last year and think they have some room to improve if they are able to reintegrate Azzi and CD in the next month. We shall see.

I don't see it based on recent play, but time will tell.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

Anyone who has seen UCONN as the #3 seed based on the recent play is a certified idiot. It really doesn't matter where UCONN is seeded since UCONN will steamroll over most of the teams until they run into a team like South Carolina. By seating UCONN at #3, he is doing serious disservice to all the higher seeds that have to play UCONN at some point.

 

[Barkin Out]

Now comment away folks !!!

Women's Bracketology: First look at 2026 has familiar teams on top line

South Carolina, UConn, UCLA and Texas are the No. 1 seeds in our first projection of the 2026 bracket.

www.espn.com

That Crème needs to go

 

[Topdawg]

The best overall seed for UConn to get are #2, #3, #6, or #7. That will make us a #1 or #2 seed in a region. That way you end up in Greenville 2, or Seattle 3 and don’t meet SCar till the finals. All other teams are easier to beat.

 

[faithfulfan]

Don't care about some guy named Creme, here's the one that matters,
Bobbybear, aka 'faithful fan' says,,,,,,,
UCONN is a #1 seed, and ranked #2 in the country!
That's what playing the toughest schedule this year with the most wins of anyone over quality opponents gets you!

 

[faithfulfan]

The best overall seed for UConn to get are #2, #3, #6, or #7. That will make us a #1 or #2 seed in a region. That way you end up in Greenville 2, or Seattle 3 and don’t meet SCar till the finals. All other teams are easier to beat.

SC doesn't want to meet UCONN until the final,
remember UCONN without Azzi lost by 4!

 

[hookshot]

The best overall seed for UConn to get are #2, #3, #6, or #7. That will make us a #1 or #2 seed in a region. That way you end up in Greenville 2, or Seattle 3 and don’t meet SCar till the finals. All other teams are easier to beat.

Nothing they do now, would likely dunk them below #3, 2 so if they beat VU convincingly, a @2 seems most likely, if not a #3 seems likely - so nothing terrible either way.

 

[faithfulfan]

He's writing for ESPN, about a team and a league that play on Fox and CBS. A women's team coached by a dinosaur old white guy. Throw in the general wcbb fatigue with UConns 25+ years of dominance, and dogging us is the easiest money he's ever made.

It's more than him, it's the entire NCAA holding a grudge against UCONN!

 

[faithfulfan]

Stanford fans - is the lack of a consistent rotation something out of the ordinary for Tara this year in comparison to prior? Any thoughts on why they don't have a fairly fixed lineup? Conversely, Geno loathes making changes once he figures out who is going to start, so he can game plan for the first few minutes each game.

She's been playing a weak schedule the last few years as her and Geno are neck and neck in total wins! It helps her win totals but hurts the team in the tournament!

 

[CTGirl15]

SC doesn't want to meet UCONN until the final,
remember UCONN without Azzi lost by 4!

The committee is always looking ahead at potential match ups to drum up interest and storylines. My predictions:

• Stanford and UConn on one side of the bracket to potentially face off in the FF, with South Carolina on the other side of the teams; the committee wont want South Carolina to face either before the FF.
• I think Iowa will also be placed in a way that a matchup for them against a perennial power like Stan/UConn/SC wont be until the FF
• Try to have Villanova/Siegrest face off against a team with another POY candidate; LSU, SC, Iowa, etc
• Put UConn in a scenario where they could face either Tenn or ND