Official Bracket Thread

[triaddukefan]

Why do I feel like UConn Duke got screwed?

Fixed.

 

[Vowelguy]

Oklahoma isn't very good IMO. Wouldn't be shocked to see Iowa upset Oklahoma in Norman, and I'd be more nervous facing Iowa than Oklahoma tbh.

Good to hear.
Teams with big-time bigs, UConn's top weakness, are a concern.

UConn is very familiar with Lucy Olson and much of the rest of Iowa's players, so that would help.

 

[oldude]

I absolutely love UConn’s bracket. Of the 4 #1’s, SC is the best matchup imo. They beat the Huskies by 2 pts early in the season with Azzi just back and knocking off the rust and no Aubrey.

 

[Stagnant]

Also, Iowa could beat Oklahoma imo.

 

[Vowelguy]

Conference conflicts might be a factor. But I think a lot more of it depends on where the play-in teams fall on the true seed list. For example I suspect George Mason was the lowest 11 seed and that's why they're at UCLA.

I'm talking about the 16-16 games. GMU ain't going to UCLA.

 

[triaddukefan]

I wonder what the process is to determine which 1 gets the play-in teams. With SC as overall #2, would've been a short trip to have William & Mary, UNCG, and/or High Point. Instead sending schools to LA and Texas.

I'm pleased.... my teams get to go to LA and Austin...... instead of Columbia. No offense to Columbia, I'm sure its a swell town.

 

[CL82]

Well, at least if UConn gets to the NC game, they can only face at most one of South Carolina, Notre Dame, and Tennessee.

Was there ever a scenario where we would have to face more than one team in the championship game?

 

[baggerbob]

I don’t think they care about Beers vs UConn. What they want is a rematch of Juju vs Paige.

Southern California is going to regret having played Uconn early in the season. With a healthy Azzi and Aubrey this is a completely different Uconn team.

 

[rugbymate]

I think TX is a soft #1. They are my #1 least likely to make the final 4, by far.

USC least likely

 

[NoSpamHere]

Wish Holly had asked about Texas/USC

 

[jdote33]

I absolutely love UConn’s bracket. Of the 4 #1’s, SC is the best matchup imo. They beat the Huskies by 2 pts early in the season with Azzi just back and knocking off the rust and no Aubrey.

Interesting. I hear u. I kinda feel the exact opposite. It's tough to have to beat juju 2 NCAA tournaments in a row to get to the final 4. Juju and Kiki pretty much matchup with Paige and Sarah. Where Juju has the size and length vs Paige, Kiki has the quickness and experience vs Sarah. But what a redemptive story for Sarah it could be. I also do agree having Azzi back is huge. Still would've preferred Texas as I just don't they they would score enough to beat our team

 

[Bone Dog]

Two possible story lines: Paige thwarts Juju a second time -- or -- Juju gets revenge for last year's defeat.

 

[bballnut90]

Good to hear.
Teams with big-time bigs, UConn's top weakness, are a concern.

UConn is very familiar with Lucy Olson and much of the rest of Iowa's players, so that would help.

Olson will be a harder matchup at Iowa with more offensive weapons than she had at Villanova, but familiarity will help. Iowa has played lights out basketball the last month or so of the season and could be a handful if they're hitting shots.

Reagan Beers is a big physical post but isn't heavily utilized and OU doesn't defend well. Realistically I think they get blown out if they face UCONN.

 

[baggerbob]

USC least likely

The only team that might be a problem for a healthy UConn they won't meet until the final. South Carolina. A good team and a good coach in Dawn.

 

[Happydad745]

UConn should be able to easily get to the Oklahoma game, they might give some trouble, but not too much. I really think we will get USC in the elite eight.

 

[Plebe]

Don't mind me, I'm just patting myself on the back

Bracketology - Week 18 (merged)

And a late update from HerHoopStats: Ohio State replaces Alabama in the top 16.

the-boneyard.com

 

[jaydee602]

It looks like the committee told Dawn Staley:
Bad news: You're not the #1 seed
Good news: You have the easiest bracket & the #1seed has the toughest bracket

 

[bballnut90]

I think TX is a soft #1. They are my #1 least likely to make the final 4, by far.

What bodes well for them is that it's a weird region:
2. TCU-might be really overrated. Prince folds against better competition and they are the weakest 2.
3. Notre Dame-clearly the most dangerous opponent for Texas if they play well, but they've been rough to finish the year and could flame out early.
4. Ohio State-they're probably the softest 4 seed and haven't keep games competitive against better teams.
5. Tennessee-dangerous, but inconsistent and there's a good chance they wont make it to Sweet 16 IMO.


If Texas doesn't make the Final Four, I'm not sure who the likely candidate is to get there.

 

[Bone Dog]

UConn should be able to easily get to the Oklahoma game, they might give some trouble, but not too much. I really think we will get USC in the elite eight.

Unless Kentucky takes them down first

 

[Basingstoke]

An interesting note: as the reveal show was just going to break, they cited Harvard's 1998 upset of Stanford - an upset that was led by one Allison Feaster (Sarah Strong's mom).

 

[bballnut90]

It looks like the committee told Dawn Staley:
Bad news: You're not the #1 seed
Good news: You have the easiest bracket & the #1seed has the toughest bracket

I'd rather face NC State than Duke to be honest but I agree, it's a weaker bracket. Plus they'll likely have home crowd support in Birmingham.

UCLA potentially facing Ole Miss and LSU is a tough road to a Final Four.

 

[packwrap]

That TN picture was sad. Should have declined the TV

0 as they are both press experts, score could be like a 70s NBA game. 147-133.

 

[Plebe]

So bizarre that they send #15 FDU to TCU and #15 ArkSt to UConn.

Didn't we play FDU? They're supposed to avoid regular season rematches in the 1st round.

 

[bballnut90]

Unless Kentucky takes them down first

Kentucky's soft. They've lost 5 of their last 8 and I don't think they have the firepower to stay competitive with USC.

 

[Blue Huskie]

The only team that might be a problem for a healthy UConn they won't meet until the final. South Carolina. A good team and a good coach in Dawn.

I can't agree with that. If we don't score from the outside there are several teams that could stop us and USC is certainly one of them.