Is the Duke game now more important?

[ed4ourgirls]

Assume, for the sake of argument, that UConn loses to Baylor and twice more
to Notre Dame. If that happens (and I know that's a big if) then the results of
the Duke game may determine the 4th one seed. (I'm also assuming that Baylor
and Stanford run their respective tables and Duke loses no more than once in
the ACC wars.)

The Duke game occurs before the Baylor game and Notre Dame game(s), so
it's importance may not be appreciated at the time. (Of course subsequent
events may render the Duke game less important.)

The Duke game is in Gampel, and while the sight of UConn on the jersey may,
as Diggins claims, no longer intimidate Notre Dame, I suspect that may not be
the case with Duke. I like UConn's chances against Duke.

 

[triaddukefan]

No, not at all. Feel free to overlook Duke... the next big game for UCONN is 2/18/13

 

[Plumber Luigi]

Any game against a top 25 team is important.

 

[VAUConnFan]

If all your worse case scenarios play out, it does not seem possible that Stanford could get a #1 seed at UConn's expense. But, the Selection Committee is far from perfect. Best case in a worst case scenario is that Stanford gets the #1 seed and UConn is placed in their bracket.

 

[JoePgh]

In the most probable scenario, if UConn defeats Duke and loses to Baylor, then the outcome of the remaining Notre Dame games may not make much difference. The only thing that will be affected is the color of the uniforms in the third consecutive national semifinal game between UConn and Notre Dame.

On the other hand, if UConn defeats Baylor on February 18, then UConn has a chance for the top seed with even one victory in the remaining two games with Notre Dame (counting the Big East tournament).

If Notre Dame runs the table from here, then it will be the probable top seed with UConn and Baylor meeting in the national semifinals and the outcome of February 18 game determining the color of uniforms.

 

[Wbbfan1]

IMHO winning the Duke game is important if UConn wants a guaranteed #1 seed. Lose the Duke game and that makes the Baylor game a must win game for UConn to get a #1 seed. The toughest game left on Baylor & Duke's schedule is UConn and both have the potential to win them even though the games are played in CT.

Lose the Duke game, then it's not unrealistic for UConn to end up with three or four losses for the year and if that happens, UConn may not get a #1 seed. Potential losses are Duke, Baylor and Notre Dame again. Louisville may end up as a tough game, even though UConn has more talent. Obviously UConn has the talent and the ability to win the remaining games, with only the Notre Dame as the blemish.

IMHO Baylor will end up with either one or two losses, Stanford, one loss or if the unthinkable happens a loss in the Pac 12 two losses. Duke will have one or two losses and if they beat UConn have the talent to go undefeated. Have to believe that ND ends up with two or three losses.

As of today, the potential #1 seeds are Baylor, Stanford, Duke, ND & UConn.

 

[meyers7]

Assume, for the sake of argument, that UConn loses to Baylor and twice more
to Notre Dame. If that happens (and I know that's a big if) then the results of
the Duke game may determine the 4th one seed. (I'm also assuming that Baylor
and Stanford run their respective tables and Duke loses no more than once in
the ACC wars.)

The Duke game occurs before the Baylor game and Notre Dame game(s), so
it's importance may not be appreciated at the time. (Of course subsequent
events may render the Duke game less important.)

The Duke game is in Gampel, and while the sight of UConn on the jersey may,
as Diggins claims, no longer intimidate Notre Dame, I suspect that may not be
the case with Duke. I like UConn's chances against Duke.

From that perspective, yea, it could be important. On the other hand. Duke as a #1 (#4) with UCONN as a #2 (#1) (assuming S curve), or vice-versa really doesn't matter. Gotta beat Duke to get to FF.

 

[triaddukefan]

From that perspective, yea, it could be important. On the other hand. Duke as a #1 (#4) with UCONN as a #2 (#1) (assuming S curve), or vice-versa really doesn't matter. Gotta beat Duke to get to FF.

When was the last time they used the S curve ? They CERTAINLY didnt use it in 2011

 

[Vowelguy]

When was the last time they used the S curve ? They CERTAINLY didnt use it in 2011

They do NOT use the S-curve anymore.

At each seed line, the top team is placed closest to home, 2nd top team gets closest of the remaining, etc. Adjustments have to be made for various reasons but that's the rough plan.

 

[Vowelguy]

What's the closest regional site to South Bend?

Bridgeport.

UConn is all-but-guaranteed to be there. ND might be too.

 

[Vowelguy]

Assume, for the sake of argument, that UConn loses to Baylor and twice more
to Notre Dame. If that happens (and I know that's a big if) then the results of
the Duke game may determine the 4th one seed. (I'm also assuming that Baylor
and Stanford run their respective tables and Duke loses no more than once in
the ACC wars.)

The Duke game occurs before the Baylor game and Notre Dame game(s), so
it's importance may not be appreciated at the time. (Of course subsequent
events may render the Duke game less important.)

The Duke game is in Gampel, and while the sight of UConn on the jersey may,
as Diggins claims, no longer intimidate Notre Dame, I suspect that may not be
the case with Duke. I like UConn's chances against Duke.

If UConn loses to Duke, the seeds don't matter, because it almost surely means UConn isn't winning an NC this year.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I don't think we'll lose a 1 seed.

I still think we'll beat Duke by 20+.

If the team is shaken by Saturday's game and needs a good performance against Duke to get its confidence back, then it's important, but in a different way.

I do have a question in my mind as to how good UConn is. They did not meet my expectations on Saturday. Even if they beat both Duke and Baylor by double digits, I think they could still lose to ND. They have match-up problems and confidence issues against the Irish.