NCAA Tourney games

[bballnut90]

I believe this is the second time that the same four teams made the Final Four two years in a row, the first being 1995-96. Kind of fun fact: Both times included UConn; a former Pac-12 team (Stanford then/UCLA now); and two SEC teams (Georgia and Tennessee then/South Carolina and Texas now).

In 1996 they the rematch of 1995's championship in the semis which is the same scenario this year.

 

[bballnut90]

Okay, same 4 teams in the Final 4 two years in a row. That ain't cool. Cannot happen again next year. Need at least 2 of them to step down. UCLA already volunteered by graduating their entire team. Need at least one of the other 3 to not make it to the FF next season.

Good luck with that dream lol.

-UCONN is still UCONN
-South Carolina has made it 6x in a row now and is showing no signs of slowing down
-Texas is also stacked next year with Madison Booker back as a senior.

I see Duke, Michigan, Vandy and USC fighting it out for the last spot. Maybe LSU if Kim can get a quality big.

 

[JstVisiting]

In 1996 they the rematch of 1995's championship in the semis which is the same scenario this year.

The previous year’s champion UConn Huskies lost to the previous year’s SEC champ, who then went on to avenge an earlier loss to their conference arch-rival in the title game. Weird.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Good luck with that dream lol.

-UCONN is still UCONN
-South Carolina has made it 6x in a row now and is showing no signs of slowing down
-Texas is also stacked next year with Madison Booker back as a senior.

I see Duke, Michigan, Vandy and USC fighting it out for the last spot. Maybe LSU if Kim can get a quality big.

You can pretty much pencil in UConn and South Carolina in any year. Texas/Vic aren't quite perennials though. Maybe Harmon is the real key to the team, regardless of how talented Booker is?

 

[bballnut90]

You can pretty much pencil in UConn and South Carolina in any year. Texas/Vic aren't quite perennials though. Maybe Harmon is the real key to the team, regardless of how talented Booker is?

Harmon’s brilliant but they almost got to the Final Four led by Madison Booker as a freshman when Rori tore her ACL. Next year they’ll have a bunch of shooters on the wings too and solid post play. I think they’re very likely to get there, but agree they’re not on UCONN/South Carolina levels of dominance yet.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I nominate Texas. Harmon and Oldacre are their 2nd and 3rd best players.

Harmon maybe, but I've got Jordan Lee and the freshman wing who was hurt ahead of Oldacre.

I believe Texas will continue to be a problem.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Good luck with that dream lol.

-UCONN is still UCONN
-South Carolina has made it 6x in a row now and is showing no signs of slowing down
-Texas is also stacked next year with Madison Booker back as a senior.

I see Duke, Michigan, Vandy and USC fighting it out for the last spot. Maybe LSU if Kim can get a quality big.

If So Cal isn't in the F4 they've really failed.

I assume they'll add experienced posts on portal to add to freshmen. Sheer weight of talent should tell for them.

At worst they should be a more talented LSU.

 

[GamecockFam]

If So Cal isn't in the F4 they've really failed.

I assume they'll add experienced posts on portal to add to freshmen. Sheer weight of talent should tell for them.

At worst they should be a more talented LSU.

I wouldn't use such strong language as "failed" without knowing what other teams will be being to the table, but they should have the talent to win it all, so I understand that sentiment.

 

[southie]

I nominate Texas. Harmon and Oldacre are their 2nd and 3rd best players.

Texas only loses one starter in Rori Harmon. From its bench, Oldacre departs, along with recent incoming transfers Teya Sidberry and Ashton Judd.

Texas will bring in a freshman class of three McDonald's All-Americans. Still have to maneuver the transfer portal for addtions/departures.

 

[visitingcock]

 

[cancontent]

I found Michigan to be inconsistent...even within a game and for substantial stretches. I think they lose their concentration. Swords is streaky. They are better by a mile than the way they played tonight.

They also need real depth at the forward position. Sofilkanich is undersized for a starter and her struggles were evident yesterday. Dudley did what she could but her minutes weren't consistent this season from what I've observed. They have a highly ranked F coming with their 2026 class. This could help them next year.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

They also need real depth at the forward position. Sofilkanich is undersized for a starter and her struggles were evident yesterday. Dudley did what she could but her minutes weren't consistent this season from what I've observed. They have a highly ranked F coming with their 2026 class. This could help them next year.

True. They did look gassed late. Strange thing about that oxygen. 🤣

 

[cancontent]

True. They did look gassed late. Strange thing about that oxygen. 🤣

And having to defend Oldacre when she's playing well. Her decision to transfer to Texas was a sound one. She's fun to watch. Was bummed she wasn't available during the GloblJam tournament in Toronto this past summer to watch her in person.

 

[visitingcock]

And having to defend Oldacre when she's playing well. Her decision to transfer to Texas was a sound one. She's fun to watch. Was bummed she wasn't available during the GloblJam tournament in Toronto this past summer to watch her in person.

It will be fun to watch Oldacre vs. Betts. As hs seniors, I thought Oldacre physically intimidated Betts in the McDonalds all star game. Here we are at the end of their college careers and we get a chance to see them again. Betts seems to bee the more durable of the two

 

[Iluvacc2]

It was apparent during the regular season that UConn, Texas, UCLA, and South Carolina were a cut above everyone else. LSU, Vanderbilt, Michigan etc.., had their moments, but not the overall consistency of the aforementioned 4.

 

[cancontent]

It will be fun to watch Oldacre vs. Betts. As hs seniors, I thought Oldacre physically intimidated Betts in the McDonalds all star game. Here we are at the end of their college careers and we get a chance to see them again. Betts seems to bee the more durable of the two

So true! That's a great storyline for this game.

 

[visitingcock]

It was apparent during the regular season that UConn, Texas, UCLA, and South Carolina were a cut above everyone else. LSU, Vanderbilt, Michigan etc.., had their moments, but not the overall consistency of the aforementioned 4.

Scar and UCLA both lose a lot of seniors. Their portal choices will both be interesting. Everybody except UConn needs point guard leaders .

 

[bballnut90]

Scar and UCLA both lose a lot of seniors. Their portal choices will both be interesting. Everybody except UConn needs point guard leaders .

UCLA will be decimated, I think they drop out of the top 10-15.

South Carolina will be crazy athletic but needs a replacement for Raven. Not sure if McDaniel is the fit there or not. They have so much size inside, I think they’ll be fine even if Okot goes pro.

Texas would be smart to move Booker to PG and run a lineup with Crump/Lee on the wing. Preston is another good option too. I think Vic goes after another big physical post to pair with Cunningham.

LSU/Vandy/Michigan/Iowa/Duke are set at PG if players stay. The first 3 all need forwards/posts. Iowa too could use more athleticism in the frontcourt. Duke has a good lineup but needs to replace Jackson’s shooting.

I’m not sure if she’s still playing but Aaliyah Moore who was at Texas has another year of eligibility if she wants to use it. She could be an impact player at any of those 5 programs.

 

[ABCDFE]

Well deserved for Raven. Coming back one more year was the right move.

 

[CAbballfan2]

UCLA will be decimated, I think they drop out of the top 10-15.

South Carolina will be crazy athletic but needs a replacement for Raven. Not sure if McDaniel is the fit there or not. They have so much size inside, I think they’ll be fine even if Okot goes pro.

Texas would be smart to move Booker to PG and run a lineup with Crump/Lee on the wing. Preston is another good option too. I think Vic goes after another big physical post to pair with Cunningham.

LSU/Vandy/Michigan/Iowa/Duke are set at PG if players stay. The first 3 all need forwards/posts. Iowa too could use more athleticism in the frontcourt. Duke has a good lineup but needs to replace Jackson’s shooting.

I’m not sure if she’s still playing but Aaliyah Moore who was at Texas has another year of eligibility if she wants to use it. She could be an impact player at any of those 5 programs.

I think Kara brought in Bella Flemings to fill Jackson’s void. However, she will just be a freshman, with a sharp learning curve. My guess is Kara looks in the portal for an experienced guard.