Sweet 16 Predictions

[bballnut90]

1. UCLA over 5. Ole Miss. I think Ole Miss can keep it competitive but UCLA has more talent and gets it done.
3. LSU over 2. NC State. Both teams shot lights out today, this could go either way but I like LSU's inside game more with Smith/Morrow.

1. USC over 5. Kansas State. I think USC is still a strong team and wins a close one here. Iriafen has a huge night.
2. UCONN over 3. Oklahoma. I think it's a UCONN rout. OU's only prayer is a cold shooting day from UCONN and Beers avoiding foul trouble and dominating.

1. Texas over 5. Tennessee. This one feels like a toss up if Tennessee plays well or can compete on the glass. Texas doesn't play pretty basketball but they are effective.
3. Notre Dame over 2. TCU. Notre Dame with more talent and they look more motivated now. I think they're winning big despite losing to TCU in the regular season.

1. South Carolina over 4. Maryland. Maryland plays with heart but lacks interior play to compete with SC. I think it's a comfortable win for the Gamecocks.
3. North Carolina over 2. Duke. I'm rooting for Duke but I think UNC takes this one, just a gut feeling. Sorry @triaddukefan

 

[LETTERL]

3. LSU over 2. NC State. Both teams shot lights out today, this could go either way but I like LSU's inside game more with Smith/Morrow.

I'm hoping LSU comes in over-confident since they won the November game in the Bahamas by 18 points. NC State is a different team now -- we finally have a semblence of an inside game and our guards seem to be peaking. But LSU still has the advantage in the post.

 

[12au]

No point spread for USC-Kansas State yet

 

[Stagnant]

No point spread for USC-Kansas State yet

I am very curious about that. What will Vegas do with that game?

I assume USC will still be favored. But by how much?

 

[LETTERL]

LSU an early 2.5 point favorite over NC State.

 

[Baller29]

LSU an early 2.5 point favorite over NC State.

Nc st definitely the more complete team. Aziah had an off game first time around, that’s only reason LSU won

 

[packwrap]

LSU an early 2.5 point favorite over NC State.

I picked LSU, but it's a toss up. NC St has played great in 4 of their last 6, and good in 2. The guards are just sooo good! If State is shooting 60%, they can just run away with it. LSU wins in more of a grinding slower game. Great matchup!

 

[triaddukefan]

.

1. South Carolina over 4. Maryland. Maryland plays with heart but lacks interior play to compete with SC. I think it's a comfortable win for the Gamecocks.
3. North Carolina over 2. Duke. I'm rooting for Duke but I think UNC takes this one, just a gut feeling. Sorry @triaddukefan

It could go either way..... Guaranteed it will come down to the final 30 seconds. Just curious, what did you have for breakfast..? .. I don't want to have the same gut feeling..

 

[Stagnant]

I hope for Duke. Duke is the only one that can kind of give South Carolina a competitive game. The gamecocks would beat the Tar Heels by 30 imo.

 

[Stagnant]

No point spread for USC-Kansas State yet

USC favored by -1.5 on DraftKings.

 

[LETTERL]

Nc st definitely the more complete team. Aziah had an off game first time around, that’s only reason LSU won

Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers and Madison Hayes combined for a total of 2 rebounds in that game...and LSU outrebounded State by 20. That early in the season, the team was still trying to incorporate the new people into the system. I would be very surprised if the 3 seniors combine for only 2 rebounds between the three of them in what could be the last game of their college careers.

 

[Baller29]

Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers and Madison Hayes combined for a total of 2 rebounds in that game...and LSU outrebounded State by 20. That early in the season, the team was still trying to incorporate the new people into the system. I would be very surprised if the 3 seniors combine for only 2 rebounds between the three of them in what could be the last game of their college careers.

Nc St is the much better team too imo

 

[DefenseBB]

So, if UNC beats Duke, will @triaddukefan be banned from talking about bbq, donuts or cheerwine? On the other hand if Duke does win, Sweet Baby Rays, Krispy Kreme and Cheerwine for everyone.....

 

[Stagnant]

I voted with the majority in every single matchup.

Game I am least sure about? Probably LSU/NC State.

 

[BRS24]

ESPN writers:

 

[Stagnant]

Interesting that no one picked NC State. Maybe this is just more a case of respecting LSU and Kim Mulkey?

 

[Baller29]

Interesting that no one picked NC State. Maybe this is just more a case of respecting LSU and Kim Mulkey?

NC St if they play the way they can play should win this one handily by 10-15 points.

Guards advantage nc st
Post advantage LSU
Coaching advantage Nc St

 

[freekimchee]

1. UCLA over 5. Ole Miss. This will not be close at all. Westwood women by 30.
3. LSU over 2. NC State. I've got LSU winning Spokane1. I want to see Flau'jae v. Madison in the FF.
5. Kansas State over 1. USC. Trojans still loaded even without Juju but Sundell to Lee is some kind of wonderful.
2. UCONN over 3. Oklahoma. The Huskies D will make life difficult for OUs big guards and cover the spread.
5. Tennessee over 1. Texas. The more I watch Texas the less impressed I am. UTenn's hockey team in a battle.
2. TCU over 3. Notre Dame. Not a huge fan of Prince but I absolutely can't with the histrionics of Hidalgo and Myles.
1. South Carolina over 4. Maryland. SCar failed to beat up on IU and now they're hungry. Turtle soup is on the menu Friday.
2. Duke over 3. North Carolina. If Toby plays, Duke wins. If Toby does not play, Dookies still win.

Not to derail, but I have a sorta OT question for our recruiting gurus - I can't remember if she was ever listed in our POI but did the Huskies show any interest at all in former LuHi star Kayleigh Heckel? Or was she a USC lean from the start? I just love her game and I think she could have been a really good fit for us (I feel the same way about U-M's Swords).

​

 

[FanInNC]

That 45-43 Duke prediction lol. I mean definitely could happen, we all saw the first game unfortunately. But geez what a rock fight.

I'm comforted by all the national writers picking LSU. I think State is at their best with a chip on their shoulder and having something to prove. When they get hyped up and everyone telling them how fantastic they are is when I get worried. While I'm not confident in the least, I find it interesting that State is always sort of an afterthought nationally it feels like. The higher seed, yet consensus underdogs.

Truthfully LSU scares me simply because of how physical they are and how dominant they are on the glass. They are 4th in the nation in rebounding percentage, State's philosophy on defense is to not get beat in the paint and at the rim, not to foul and to clean the glass. If LSU is getting second chance points and taking it to the rack getting fouled - those are things State usually doesn't run into because most teams don't have the athletes and talent to do it, LSU does.

The first time they played LSU outrebounded State 44-24. That's all you need to know about the game. State also played Mallory Collier 19 minutes that game, now she never plays with the emergence of Tilda and Awou. However, Tilda is a finesse 5. She's skilled offensively and she's tall. But she's not exactly strong. She gets rebounds with length, not grit and physicality. Awou has more of that for sure and good size, but she also is super prone to foul trouble. State plays 4 guards essentially with Hayes at 4, she leads the team in rebounds and she is absolutely a dawg...but she's also undersized at that spot and LSU is a team that can make you pay there.

On a positive note, State shot 35% that first game, Aziaha James was 4-13. Rivers had 0 rebounds! 0! Zoe had 5 turnovers. All of these things represent things that are not the norm. Now you could argue that LSU is not the norm and therefore you had these sorts of unusual stats, but these girls have played quality competition throughout the season and come up big. I fully expect better games out of Zoe, Rivers and James.

Most likely it comes down to is Aziaha on or not? If she comes out firing, I like State's chances. If she's throwing up a 6-17 type night, well better pray that Zoe or Saniya or someone is feeling it in a major way.

 

[FanInNC]

NC St if they play the way they can play should win this one handily by 10-15 points.

Guards advantage nc st
Post advantage LSU
Coaching advantage Nc St

Putting some respect on Wes Moore's name!

From your keyboard to God's ears. (or computer screen?)

 

[Blueberries]

ESPN writers:

View attachment 108178

I saw this also and assumed I was being obtuse. Glad someone else felt the same

 

[JstVisiting]

Eight winners and seven losers same as my original bracket.

UCLA Ole Miss
LSU over NC Stat
Kansas State over USC
UConn over Oklahoma
Texas over Tennessee
TCU over ND (originally TCU over Michigan)
South Carolina over Maryland
Duke over North Carolina

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[triaddukefan]

Other than the 2006 title game, I have never been as anxious for a WBB game as this one today. Darn you selection committee and GTHC .

I see that 46 other people pick Duke to win. If Duke is victorious, if any of the voters ever pass through Greensboro.... I'll treat you to either a Biscuitville breakfast combo with a large Cheerwine.... Or A Cookout Tray of your choice with a Large Cheerwine. Please don't all show up on the same day

 

[Gamecockfan77]

NC St if they play the way they can play should win this one handily by 10-15 points.

Guards advantage nc st
Post advantage LSU
Coaching advantage Nc St

Coaching advantage?

I can't see much to like about Mulkey, but she has four national championships, including one at LSU.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Just an idle thought: what do folks think the next program to win their first title will be?

Or next coach to win their first?

UCLA or USC is certainly in conversation. I'd add Duke and Lawson as a possibility.

Duke isn't happening this year but soon perhaps.

Ivey is a possibility.

Walz and Moore seem like candidates for close but no cigar, though I guess the portal never says never.

Dark horse might be Ralph at her next job (UConn?)

 

[FanInNC]

Just an idle thought: what do folks think the next program to win their first title will be?

Or next coach to win their first?

UCLA or USC is certainly in conversation. I'd add Duke and Lawson as a possibility.

Duke isn't happening this year but soon perhaps.

Ivey is a possibility.

Walz and Moore seem like candidates for close but no cigar, though I guess the portal never says never.

Dark horse might be Ralph at her next job (UConn?)

For Moore unfortunately I don't see the portal being his ticket. State's NIL situation isn't on par with what I imagine the LSU's, USC's, Tennesee's, SC's etc of the world to be. Women's BB is popular at State, the administration I think has increased it's support for the program, but the NIL dollars aren't pouring in to make State a competitor when it comes to landing the biggest names in the portal.

Now, they have done fine in the portal. Wes landed Saniya Rivers (but she was a local kid who State recruited out of HS so built in advantages). They got Madison Hayes, Mimi Collins and River Baldwin, all former McDonald AAs. However I don't know in demand they were, Hayes was a sophomore who hadn't played much at MSU and that was sort of before the NIL world kicked in I feel like. Over the last 2 years when NIL has really been a bigger deal the Pack landed Liz Williamson and Katie Peneueta one year and Caityln Weimar last year. All 3 coming from smaller conferences, WIlliamson and Peneueta have played a combined 160 minutes over the last 2 years for State. Not impact players to say the least. Peneuata left after last year, Williamson stuck around and got injured this year, but was not going to be playing either way. Weimar was slotted to start this year, suffered an injury and never played. Now she was sought after, I believe picked State over ND. But my point is, State isn't exactly fishing in the same waters as some programs for transfers.

The Pack absolutely need to mine the portal this off season though. Zoe, Zam and Tilda are good starting points for next year's squad, but there will be a pretty substantial drop off if they don't land 2 bonafide starters in the portal this offseason. And at least one needs to be an All ACC type.

This year might be Wes's best chance to break through, and admittedly it's a long shot. State is still weak defensively in the post and very reliant on their guards. However, they are capable of beating anyone in the nation when James is on a heater and they lock in defensively. Hard to imagine them getting that 4 straight games, but never say never!

 

[Jumper33]

Just an idle thought: what do folks think the next program to win their first title will be?

Or next coach to win their first?

UCLA or USC is certainly in conversation. I'd add Duke and Lawson as a possibility.

Duke isn't happening this year but soon perhaps.

Ivey is a possibility.

Walz and Moore seem like candidates for close but no cigar, though I guess the portal never says never.

Dark horse might be Ralph at her next job (UConn?)

UCLA or USC, as I think UCLA obviously has a good chance to win this year and will bring back many key players next year along with Betts’ younger sister.

USC once Juju gets back the season after next one. A lot of young talent.

I don’t see it for ND, they’re not going to win this year not even sure they will make it past TCU tomorrow. They’re losing their entire core besides Hidalgo. Duke has a better chance than ND in the next couple years I think.

I agree with you Wes Moore seems to be stuck in close but no cigar territory, although I like him and that team.

 

[GoUconn7961]

I went with a couple of upsets. It’ll be interesting.

 

[BRS24]

and don't forget, if you wanna join the fun, there's a poll for these games and i'll send out results after each day. Gonna put a deadline of 2:30 ish ...

Regionals Pickem' contest

GM hoop fans! Here's a tourney challenge for just the Boneyard. Yep, the pick-em is back for the Sweet Sixteen regionals. Pickem Poll Link Please get your picks in by Friday at 2:30 pm, as that's the start of the first game. Have fun!

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