is there a big gap between this years top 5 and the rest of the country?

[willie99]

no bigger than the perceived difference was last year, or the year before, or the year before the year before

there's always tons of hype, followed by excuses as to why they were wrong yet again, followed by the doubling down on hype (lather, rinse, repeat)

although I must concede one thing, I'm not sure what they can say next year after the hyped teams have been elevated to the status of "the best ever" before playing a minute of basketball. Maybe the best the solar system has ever seen? then the galaxy? but where do they go after the universe? maybe heaven? or a parallel universe?

one thing is certain, the quest for perfection was already used and they need to start becoming more creative so has to distinguish one season's hype for another season's hype. It's a hard job, bulls#$%^@g all the time

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Not sure what point you could possibly be making about Calipari (who's gone to three final fours in four years and has the #1 ranked team in the country) but I'll let you have the last word. You're right, he's underperforming.

The recent final fours would go the same way as his past final fours if the NCAA hadn't stopped enforcement against P5 schools. Saying Calipari is a great coach is like saying Lance Armstrong is a great cyclist.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I think there's a gap between #1 and the rest of the country.

I haven't seen anything from the rest that leads me to believe they're anything other than in the scrum with everyone else.

I agree with you. Kentucky is really good. Arizona is on track to another 30 win season and exit in the second weekend of the tournament. Wisconsin is very, very good but is at its ceiling. There is no next gear with that team. I am not sold on Duke, but we will find out a lot more tonight. Louisville could beat anyone, but they aren't as good as Kentucky. Texas is still coached by Rick Barnes, although they will be really good once they get their point guard back. I think there is a meaningful drop off after that to the rest of the crowd.