I'm tired of hearing tourney projections

[Silk City]

Obviously it's been a thrilling start to the season, but I'm already getting sick of hearing "Is this a Final Four team? Is this even a Sweet Sixteen team?" etc. For any team that's not a complete juggernaut the number 1 factor in the Big Dance is favorable matchups, and number 2 is getting some lucky breaks. Kentucky was the best team all year in 09 and wasn't a Final Four team. Indiana was the best team last year and they weren't even an Elite 8 team.

People can say whatever they want about this team's rebounding, lack of post scoring, whatever, but at the end of the day there's only a handful of teams in the country that have clear advantages against us, and we just found a way to beat one. If we have to play a few more in the tourney we'll be in trouble, if we are lucky to avoid them we could win the whole damn thing.

We went into 2011 as a 3 seed and the only game we were the worst seed was a gift in itself v SDSU--we didn't even have to bring the blue jerseys to the Final Four. That's basically unheard of for a 3 seed. We would have been significant dogs vs the stacked Ohio State and Kansas teams but both got gunned down by poor matchups (an athletic defending UK team and a streaky shooting VCU squad)


My point is so much of this postseason is built on chance. As we see the season play out we'll learn more about how likely a deep run is or how likely an early-round loss is, but nothing will make either of those close to a sure thing. All we really know is we have a team the fanbase loves and one that enjoys playing in crunch time. That's what made Monday night so great, as well as last Friday at MSG, as well as countless games that we're going to have in the next few months.


Not until we see the bracket can we really project how far we'll go, and even then it will depend on some random other dominoes falling. For now let's stop worrying about rankings, watch KO work at fixing our flaws, and just stay along for the ride.

 

[Marat]

Agreed . Its about matchups, avoiding injury, player development and perhaps a lucky bounce or two.

Ten toes in, and one game at a time.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Indiana arguably had the best personnel and were preseason #1 but with Tom Crean as head coach that teams value took a hit. Coaching is a huge part of tournament basketball. Regardless of how the season plays out and our ultimate seed Kevin Ollie will be coaching in his first NCAA Tournament. In my opinion Calhoun was the best tournament coach in the history of the game outside of Wooden.

I have confidence as the year progresses that KO will be ready for the challenge. The uniqueness and fun of college hoops as opposed to football for instance is all the speculation on seeding/geography (MSG) and who is positioning themselves best for a run to Dallas.

You make great points on match-ups and the fortuitous bounces that many times are a prerequisite to cutting the nets down. I don't see a clear cut favorite right now. It was funny listening to Alaa Abdelnaby commentate while watching the Boise State vs. Utah game. He thought Kentucky and Michigan State were two of the four teams that could win it all. ONLY 4 teams? Really? Michigan State then proceeded to get blown out at home.

Anyway enjoyed reading your post. Have a good 1.

 

[DMW88]

Agree 100% its about matchups and momentum. And I also think guards win big NCAA games, which is why I like this team! Will also be interesting to see how the refs handle the NCAA games as usually they tend to not call as many ticky tack fouls come tourney time...

 

[Kitaman]

Good post, but you and I both know it won't change things on this Board.

 

[Marat]

I have confidence as the year progresses that KO will be ready for the challenge. The uniqueness and fun of college hoops as opposed to football for instance is all the speculation on seeding/geography (MSG) and who is positioning themselves best for a run to Dallas.
.

By the way, have the tickets already been sold for the MSG regional? Where can we get them?

 

[upstater]

By the way, have the tickets already been sold for the MSG regional? Where can we get them?

You're better off buying for Buffalo, since the pod system will likely land UConn there.
MSG will be reserved for the ACC winner, I bet.
If UConn is a first seed, they will likely be ticketed for Midwest region since I expect Kentucky to lock down the south and Arizona in the west.

 

[upstater]

It will be interesting to see how this UConn team will improve over the year. We saw improvement last year in BE conference games. If Ollie manages to have them improve two year's in a row, that will be the start of a nice trend.

The schedule makers of the AAC stuck UConn with a really weird roadtrip at the start of the season. AT Memphis on a Thursday night, HOME to Louisville 2 nights later on a Saturday.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

You're better off buying for Buffalo, since the pod system will likely land UConn there.
MSG will be reserved for the ACC winner, I bet.
If UConn is a first seed, they will likely be ticketed for Midwest region since I expect Kentucky to lock down the south and Arizona in the west.

I'm hoping for the west but AZ might be there worse possible matchup.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

The top 3 teams from each conference are put in different regions for the NCAA Tournament. That means no Memphis or Louisville until the Final4.

 

[Scot-e]

I just want to enjoy one game at a time. I do hope we improve over the course of the season (DD and the bigs) and come March we have a more balanced team. But who cares about polls right now (because we are 8-0 by the skin of our teeth)? Being 8-0 is enough for me to enjoy what the team has done up to this point and will allow us the start AAC (ralph) play in a great position.
By time time the next real test roles around we could be more then half way to our win total last year- pretty awesome. Thank G-d Bazz stayed in school- it's working out well for him and the fans.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

By the way, have the tickets already been sold for the MSG regional? Where can we get them?

Terrible seats may cost you around $400 (full strip) per ticket. A good seat right now a couple g's per ticket (full strip). If you go through the University or a broker connection/corporate the prices will be better of course. Yes tons of seats have been sold.

 

[willie99]

I love talking about the tourny and winning a high seed, although I haven't done so yet

thanks for reminding me

 

[champs99and04]

You're better off buying for Buffalo, since the pod system will likely land UConn there.
MSG will be reserved for the ACC winner, I bet.
If UConn is a first seed, they will likely be ticketed for Midwest region since I expect Kentucky to lock down the south and Arizona in the west.

Between Arizona, Michigan State, Kentucky, and Kansas, I'm thinking there is a pretty good chance the ACC winner won't be a #1 seed, and the selection committee generally tends to reward #1 seeds. So, if UConn somehow manages to earn a #1 seed, I think there's a good chance we represent the East region. There's also a strong chance, with the way Syracuse has been playing of late, that they earn a #1 seed in the East, in which case the selection committee would gladly hand us a spot in their region to set up a potential match-up.

 

[Silk City]

Between Arizona, Michigan State, Kentucky, and Kansas, I'm thinking there is a pretty good chance the ACC winner won't be a #1 seed, and the selection committee generally tends to reward #1 seeds. So, if UConn somehow manages to earn a #1 seed, I think there's a good chance we represent the East region. There's also a strong chance, with the way Syracuse has been playing of late, that they earn a #1 seed in the East, in which case the selection committee would gladly hand us a spot in their region to set up a potential match-up.

Fortunately, Syracuse does this sort of thing in December every year

 

[champs99and04]

Fortunately, Syracuse does this sort of thing in December every year

Difference being, this year they've actually played some decent competition (though I'm still skeptical to how good those teams are). I think they're for real.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Between Arizona, Michigan State, Kentucky, and Kansas, I'm thinking there is a pretty good chance the ACC winner won't be a #1 seed, and the selection committee generally tends to reward #1 seeds. So, if UConn somehow manages to earn a #1 seed, I think there's a good chance we represent the East region. There's also a strong chance, with the way Syracuse has been playing of late, that they earn a #1 seed in the East, in which case the selection committee would gladly hand us a spot in their region to set up a potential match-up.

Good points on the East Region (UConn) and the possibility of us landing there even as a #2 or #3 seed IF Cuse were to get that #1/or Duke.

I think Oklahoma State is better than Kansas. Michigan State will deserve a #1 if they survive the Big 10 on top BUT that is a very risky pick. I think Florida could beat Kentucky for the SEC title because they don't meet up for the first time until February 15th. Then on the 8th of March play Kentucky @ Florida. Florida could be peaking right about that time.

 

[champs99and04]

I actually think Oklahoma State wins the Big 12 and Ohio State wins the BIG, so you're right in saying none of what I mentioned above is by any means a given. It wouldn't shock me if Florida won the SEC, either. It all depends on how quickly they can integrate Walker into their system and whether he is for real along the lines of some of the other stud freshman we've seen. Also, do not sleep on UCLA. They're loaded with talent and Kyle Anderson is waaaay under the radar right now (last I checked the kid is averaging a trible/double per 40 minutes). UNC, if they get Hairston back soon, could also be in contention. Should be a fun year.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Definitely will be interesting to see how Louisville performs against Kentucky. I just can't sleep on Ville from a national perspective. Good Points on UCLA. UCLA will have their first real test though against Missouri (I believe on the road) this Saturday. Both are undefeated.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Between Arizona, Michigan State, Kentucky, and Kansas, I'm thinking there is a pretty good chance the ACC winner won't be a #1 seed, and the selection committee generally tends to reward #1 seeds. So, if UConn somehow manages to earn a #1 seed, I think there's a good chance we represent the East region. There's also a strong chance, with the way Syracuse has been playing of late, that they earn a #1 seed in the East, in which case the selection committee would gladly hand us a spot in their region to set up a potential match-up.

Cuse's worse nightmare would be us in the sweet 16 or final 8.

 

[SubbaBub]

There is no doubt in my mind that we will be bracketed for a date with Cuse in MSG.

Tickets sold + storyline + massive rating.

That assumes of course, Cuse doesn't bomb out in the first weekend.

Even if the seedings don't work out, we'll.be paired with a former BE team, there are 10 project in right now.