Really good slate of games today

[alexrgct]

Really an intriguing octet of games on the slate today:

• UConn-Kansas State: hopefully, this will be the least interesting game.
• Maryland-Louisville: Frese! Walz! Upset? Probably not. But perhaps.
• Stanford-WVU: does WVU have any magic left, or was that February upset of ND all they can muster this season?
• Purdue-South Carolina: after the B1G's abyssmal first-round showing, can the B1Gs who survived salvage the conference's honor?
• Texas A&M-Arkansas: A&M should win this battle of former SWC, soon-to-be SEC teams.
• Tennessee-Depaul: can the LVs hold up their end of the bargain, setting up a Sweet 16 showdown with the Fightin' Delle Donnes, or can DePaul pull off a stunning upset in its home city?
• Miami-Gonzaga: Miami is without one of its best players. Gonzaga is playing at home and under-seeded. Recipe for an upset?
• Kentucky-Green Bay: after the first round, I'd actually be more surprised if UK won, even though they're the #2 seed.

Should be fascinating to see how these games all play out.

 

[MilfordHusky]

A surprising amount of competition this early.

I think Louisville plays the Terps tough. With their injuries, I think they come up a little short. Same for DePaul v. Tennessee. Yet another game where the LV's opponent has the better coaching.

WVU will mug the O sisters even more than they mugged Maya. But they won't score enough for a win.

The Zags and GB are the better coached, more disciplined teams. Without Williams and playing in Spokane, Miami is vulnerable. Johnson will need to carry them. I think GB will have the best player and will take an inconsistent Kentucky team.

 

[huskybill]

I agree that there should be a batch of good games today. I'm not so sure that A&M will handle Arkansas. Both teams had tougher than expected first round games. On a neutral court, I'd consider this as a pick 'em game. Arkansas won at Tenn this year. Think it's a better win than any of A&M's. Love those 2 last games. If there has been a move towards parity, mid-majors Green Bay and Gonzaga are among the storm troopers leading the revolution.

 

[Wonkster]

... Green Bay and Gonzaga are among the storm troopers leading the revolution.

SHTORM TROOPERS? VERRRY INTERESTING!
.

 

[huskybill]

Wodda you think Women's College Basketball is...Chess?

 

[DobbsRover2]

Good set of games, and likely an upset or two. But none can compare to the ultimate of all games on Tuesday when Marist and St. Bonaventure square off in the first ever battle between two NY teams in the tourney. Not sure which team from the Empire State is representing the Evil Empire side, but I'm expecting all sorts of pyrotechnics like exploding death stars and laser sword duels between the Bonnies and the Red Foxes. Three of 4 of our NY teams made it to the second round, with only Albany going down.

 

[alexrgct]

Good set of games, and likely an upset or two. But none can compare to the ultimate of all games on Tuesday when Marist and St. Bonaventure square off in the first ever battle between two NY teams in the tourney. Not sure which team from the Empire State is representing the Evil Empire side, but I'm expecting all sorts of pyrotechnics like exploding death stars and laser sword duels between the Bonnies and the Red Foxes. Three of 4 of our NY teams made it to the second round, with only Albany going down.

Bonnies-Marist is probably going to get short shrift on ESPN2, even though it is BY FAR the most interesting and competitive game in its time slot (unless you count Georgetown-Ga Tech, a game I want to pretend doesn't exist and that the winner just made the S16 by magic carpet or something). So get your laptop ready.

And keep your laptop around for the late games Tuesday- all four late games (Duke-Vandy, SJU-OU, Penn State-LSU, and UD-Kansas) have the potential to be interesting.

 

[justML]

What a great day this is:

CT Mastery Test is over so teachers get to TEACH again
Gorgeous Spring day
An evening of great basketball

Doesn't get much better than that!

 

[HuskyNan]

What a great day this is:

CT Mastery Test is over so teachers get to TEACH again

Still got the CAPTs, which my son loves. The test isn't graded and there's no homework!

 

[Vowelguy]

My rankings on best chances for an upset:

1. #3 Miami at #11 Gonzaga
2. #5 So Carolina at #4 Purdue
3. #2 Kentucky vs #7 Green Bay at Iowa St
4. #6 Arkansas at #3 Texas A&M
5. #7 Louisville at #2 Maryland
6. #1 Stanford vs #8 WVU at ODU
7. #2 Tennessee at #7 Depaul
8. #8 Kansas St vs #1 UConn @ B-port

5 home games and 3 other where one team is a few hours from home & should have a significant crowd advantage

 

[MilfordHusky]

My rankings on best chances for an upset:

1. #3 Miami at #11 Gonzaga
2. #5 So Carolina at #4 Purdue
3. #2 Kentucky vs #7 Green Bay at Iowa St
4. #6 Arkansas at #3 Texas A&M
5. #7 Louisville at #2 Maryland
6. #1 Stanford vs #8 WVU at ODU
7. #2 Tennessee at #7 Depaul
8. #8 Kansas St vs #1 UConn @ B-port

5 home games and 3 other where one team is a few hours from home & should have a significant crowd advantage

I think I'd move Louisville up 1 spot and Stanford down 1. But I would not be surprised to see 3 upsets today--or more.

 

[EricLA]

i think Depaul has a better shot at beating tennessee than WVU does of beating Stanford. and while i'd not be surprised to see aTm lose to Arkansas, Bone has been playing much better of late. at least in the game i saw her in recently (conference tourney). she was much more active and animated instead of standing around expecting the game (and ball) to come to her. but i have to admit, her stupid pig tails still bug me.

 

[Vowelguy]

I had thought the first game was at DePaul, forgetting it was the Maggie Dixon game in NYC. Significant mistake since DePaul is most definitely a tougher team at home.

Still, Tenn won the first game by 20+ and DePaul had Keisha Hampton at the time.

 

[justML]

Still got the CAPTs, which my son loves. The test isn't graded and there's no homework!

Your son has a great attitude, Nan.

My third graders liked the break from homework too. And so did I!