SI Roundtable: UConn the higher seed most likely to make the F4

[andy34]

Upset Picks, Cinderella Advice and Bold Predictions

Need bracket advice? Five SI writers give their insight on upset-minded questions around the Big Dance.

www.si.com

In response to "Which 7 seed or lower is the best bet to make the Final Four?" 3 of the 5 SI writers picked UConn.

Geary: No. 7 UConn. The East Region was the toughest to figure out in my bracket, and if it descends into chaos, the underseeded Huskies could take advantage. They need to first get past Maryland before they can dream about taking down No. 2 Alabama, but if the Huskies can find enough offense, their defense looks fairly well-equipped against the Tide (UConn’s D both at the rim and on the perimeter—the two places Alabama almost exclusively shoots—is solid). If they can pull off that upset, the Final Four looks a lot more realistic.

Woo: UConn. Based on how the brackets shook out, I don't think it's likely we’ll see that type of run this year, but the Huskies play extremely hard and are not going to be outworked or caught by surprise. James Bouknight has not looked like himself of late, but he's had a week of rest and should be locked in. UConn sits in the messiest region of the bracket, and if it can edge past Maryland and upset Alabama (yes, this is glossing over a lot of adversity), I have no idea who it’ll see next, but the potential for Texas and Michigan to go down early does create a sliver of possibility if you squint a little. A healthy Bouknight changes the equation.

Sweeney: UConn. With a healthy James Bouknight, the Huskies are strongly underseeded relative to their talent level. In the 14 games that Bouknight has played in this season, UConn is 11–3. Without him? Just 4–4. What's more, since Bouknight's return from midseason elbow surgery in mid-February, the Huskies have been the fourth-best team in the country, per T-Rank. Add in the fact that this region features the most vulnerable No. 1 seed (Michigan), and it's easy to find a path back to the Final Four for Dan Hurley's club.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Upset Picks, Cinderella Advice and Bold Predictions

Need bracket advice? Five SI writers give their insight on upset-minded questions around the Big Dance.

www.si.com

In response to "Which 7 seed or lower is the best bet to make the Final Four?" 3 of the 5 SI writers picked UConn.

Its possible but this team hasnt learned how to win yet and thats ok. Nows a great time to learn.

 

[QuickDraw]

Its possible but this team hasnt learned how to win yet and thats ok. Nows a great time to learn.

This is exactly right, knowing how to win when it matters most is a skill that needs to be honed. The same things folks here complain about such as being outcoached, not executing down the stretch etc. These are the same knocks that used to be applied to JC back in the early to mid 90's by all even the press until he and his squads had suffered through the tough losses, learned and moved forward to the slew of titles that followed where they executed down the stretch and great coaching was easily noticed. Winning is a culture & experience thing and we are on the right trajectory for success. I like what Hurley is building & he will learn too.

 

[Austin316]

One game at a time boys!

“kill or be killed”

 

[TheChamps990411]

This is exactly right, knowing how to win when it matters most is a skill that needs to be honed. The same things folks here complain about such as being outcoached, not executing down the stretch etc. These are the same knocks that used to be applied to JC back in the early to mid 90's by all even the press until he and his squads had suffered through the tough losses, learned and moved forward to the slew of titles that followed where they executed down the stretch and great coaching was easily noticed. Winning is a culture & experience thing and we are on the right trajectory for success. I like what Hurley is building & he will learn too.

Very well put.

 

[FlippinCrazy!]

We have the highest betting odds to make the final four and win the national championship too out of the 7 seeds or lower. To win the championship, we actually even have the highest betting odds for any 5 seed or lower, and beat out several 3/4 seeds (tied with #4 Virginia. beat #3 Arkansas, #3 West Virginia, and #4 Purdue).

 

[Fore!]

Its possible but this team hasnt learned how to win yet and thats ok. Nows a great time to learn.

As Coach Calhoun said during an interview a few days ago, Bouknight isnt at the level that Kemba or Shabazz were; he is not as physically mature, nor does he have the playing experience that both had when they carried their teams through the BET and NCAA Tournament. He said he though Bouk would benefit from another year in college, however, given how the NBA assesses a players growth potential, Bouk will be highly sought after in the NBA draft and can't turn down going pro now given the economics involved.