The Lincoln Bracket changed dramatically last night

[Buzzyboy]

I hope we don't slack off...that could be detrimental to our future.

Rarely have I seen a Huskie team play anything but at a high level, regardless of their opponent. That is the philosophy that has made the Huskies the kind of team they are. They seldom, if ever, take a play off. They compete against themselves, more than their opponents, game after game. They've been involved in so many blowouts over the years but they're like a bunch of mustangs, you let them loose and they want to run. Period! I don't see that changing anytime soon.

 

[pap49cba]

Charlie Creme thought they struggled...

5. McStruggles? It is hard to find fault when an unbeaten team moves into the Sweet 16 with a 17-point win, but Notre Dame's 84-67 win over Arizona State was not its best effort by a long shot. It's also difficult to label a 22-point, nine-assist game lacking, but Kayla McBride, Notre Dame's best player on most nights, was not her best either.
The Sun Devils choked the Irish's normally fluid offense for the better part of 25 minutes, and Notre Dame committed 22 turnovers. Until making three straight buckets five minutes into the second half, McBride was floundering with just two field goals in 11 attempts.

 

[Striper69]

The Ville has gotta win at Iowa, then possibly vs WV, before it even gets a possible matchup with TN.

The Schimmel sisters are featured in a Real Sports segment on HBO this week starting tonight at 10:00 PM.

I'm pulling for them at Iowa tonight.

 

[Striper69]

Charlie Creme thought they struggled...

5. McStruggles? It is hard to find fault when an unbeaten team moves into the Sweet 16 with a 17-point win, but Notre Dame's 84-67 win over Arizona State was not its best effort by a long shot. It's also difficult to label a 22-point, nine-assist game lacking, but Kayla McBride, Notre Dame's best player on most nights, was not her best either.
The Sun Devils choked the Irish's normally fluid offense for the better part of 25 minutes, and Notre Dame committed 22 turnovers. Until making three straight buckets five minutes into the second half, McBride was floundering with just two field goals in 11 attempts.

I watched most of the game and it was clear that McBride was off her game in the first half. Ochonwa took up the slack though.

 

[meyers7]

A&M vs DePaul should be a great game. Both teams with small lineups that like to run and gun. The commentators that like offense should love this game if it happens.

Then the winner potentially faces, UConn and will a quick talented roster be able to withstand UConn's size advantage. Of course UConn first has to get there.

So does Texas A&M.

 

[meyers7]

I still disagree but no point in debating. I get your opinion. Duke, IMHO, was already the weakest 2 seed in our bracket. Not sure why our bracket suddenly got tougher since Duke lost. Had they won, would it have been an easier bracket? By that logic, the fact that BYU beat Nebraska means our bracket is tougher because BYU is better than Nebraska.

Like I said, Depaul still needs to get past aTm. We beat BYU by 40+ and Depaul/aTm by 30+, unless Geno calls off the dogs and plays most of the 2nd half with Banks, Chong, Stoks, and then maybe Mo and one other starter...

Agree, UCONN's bracket definitely did not get tougher by having BYU and DePaul advance.

 

[doggydaddy]

Then the winner potentially faces, UConn and with a quick talented roster be able to withstand UConn's size advantage.

I don't understand this logic at all. Can you explain?

 

[Wbbfan1]

Instead of with, I should have typed will a quick talented roster be able to withstand UConn.......

I'm making the assumption that A&M will win tonight and face DePaul in the Regional Semi-finals. Then the winner will be a quick team that uses a four guard line-up going up against UConn's size advantage. I also said UConn has to get there.

I don't understand this logic at all. Can you explain?

 

[doggydaddy]

Instead of with, I should have typed will a quick talented roster be able to withstand UConn..

I'm making the assumption that A&M will win tonight and face DePaul in the Regional Semi-finals. Then the winner will be a quick team that uses a four guard line-up going up against UConn's size advantage. I also said UConn has to get there.

Too funny. Since you didn't have a question Mark, I thought you mistyped and I changed "will" to "with".

So, for clarities sake you said "will a quick talented roster be able to withstand UConn's size advantage?"

Now I can answer. No.

 

[Icebear]

I believe they did. Close first half, 22 turnovers, 22 personal fouls committed, only 3 scorers, freshman point had a tough game, their freshman forward off the bench had 4 fouls in 6 minutes. All against a mediocre ASU team that Uconn would beat by 30-40.

Doesn't mean they will play that way in the next game, but we clearly have a different view in what constitutes a struggle.

Yes, we do. I don't consider winning by 51 a struggle. When you play sloppy and win by 17 I don't consider it a struggle. Struggle to me means the other team is challenging and pushing you. I don't think ASU did that to ND. ND had three players scoring at will. My take is that ND should have won by 25 and UCONN by 35.

BTW, the western bear cub is a junior on ASU.

 

[Wbbfan1]

I didn't give my opinion on what the results would be if UConn vs Depaul or A&M would meet. I do think DePaul would give UConn the better game as they're more disciplined. However, if they do meet, I do think UConn would win comfortably. However, like I said earlier, UConn has to get there.

Too funny. Since you didn't have a question Mark, I thought you mistyped and I changed "will" to "with".

So, for clarities sake you said "will a quick talented roster be able to withstand UConn's size advantage?"

Now I can answer. No.

 

[DobbsRover2]

6, 6, 4, 1, -3. Those are the halftime margins for teams last who were seeded #1 or #2. We'll see if UConn can do better than that tonight, but it's hard to say any of the top teams were breezing in the first half of their second round games. Most managed to get things going better in the second half.

 

[Tidepool]

I still disagree but no point in debating. I get your opinion. Duke, IMHO, was already the weakest 2 seed in our bracket. Not sure why our bracket suddenly got tougher since Duke lost. Had they won, would it have been an easier bracket? By that logic, the fact that BYU beat Nebraska means our bracket is tougher because BYU is better than Nebraska. Like I said, Depaul still needs to get past aTm. We beat BYU by 40+ and Depaul/aTm by 30+, unless Geno calls off the dogs and plays most of the 2nd half with Banks, Chong, Stoks, and then maybe Mo and one other starter...

Agree, UCONN's bracket definitely did not get tougher by having BYU and DePaul advance.

Well, as I see it, the only way you can say that our bracket did not get tougher than you had thought is either (1) you already knew, before last night, that DePaul was better at this point in the season than depleted Duke or (2) you thought that the victory by DePaul was flukey and that DePaul was the weaker team but that it had one of those unlikely nights when it was able to beat a superior team. But I don't hear you saying either of those things, not as to DePaul, anyway. (I suspect you thought BYU's win fits in category (2).)

 

[rtm5]

Yes, we do. I don't consider winning by 51 a struggle. When you play sloppy and win by 17 I don't consider it a struggle. Struggle to me means the other team is challenging and pushing you. I don't think ASU did that to ND. ND had three players scoring at will. My take is that ND should have won by 25 and UCONN by 35.

BTW, the western bear cub is a junior on ASU.

The first half was a major struggle for ND. They had a helluva time scoring with only Achonwa looking good. They didn't look so good on the boards either.

 

[5sidedlarry]

I'm disappointed. I wanted to see UConn play Nebraska in front of a crazy crowd. Oh well.

if Nebraska was suppose to win they would have won, even Geno says he hopes there are upsets its good for the game

 

[Wonkster]

... BYU? Holy cow. I predict a win of about 84-40. And Depaul or aTm will be lucky to come within 25 of UCONN.

BYU = Holy cow? Nah - Sacred cow.

aTm = Holy cow? Nah - Cash cow.

 

[doggydaddy]

I didn't give my opinion on what the results would be if UConn vs Depaul or A&M would meet. I do think DePaul would give UConn the better game as they're more disciplined. However, if they do meet, I do think UConn would win comfortably. However, like I said earlier, UConn has to get there.

You asked a question, correct?

Did you not know the answer?

 

[MilfordHusky]

6, 6, 4, 1, -3. Those are the halftime margins for teams last who were seeded #1 or #2. We'll see if UConn can do better than that tonight, but it's hard to say any of the top teams were breezing in the first half of their second round games. Most managed to get things going better in the second half.

Those are NOT impressive numbers, plain and simple. I was surprised at even the final margins for ND and Stanford.

I agree with Alex--on paper, this looks perhaps historically easy. Fortunately, our guys are excellent at staying in the moment, so I don't see us being overconfident.

No Huskies v. Huskers in a packed arena is disappointing. I hope the Nebraska fans show up and appreciate good basketball. At least Stef, Kaleena, and Moriah play with smiles on their faces. I hope the crowd gets behind our guys. It's impossible not to like MoJet.

But first, we need to focus on the well-coached team from Philly. Let's start well without rushing and get them down by 20+ at halftime. Bria's and Stef's last home game. Let's be LOUD!!!!

 

[doggydaddy]

Yes, we do. I don't consider winning by 51 a struggle. When you play sloppy and win by 17 I don't consider it a struggle. Struggle to me means the other team is challenging and pushing you. I don't think ASU did that to ND. ND had three players scoring at will. My take is that ND should have won by 25 and UCONN by 35.

BTW, the western bear cub is a junior on ASU.

I can see this turning into a "jump shot" thread so I'll only make one comment.

Tony, you and I might have different definitions on what struggling means, but it doesn't make any of us wrong, as you implied to Tony.

They had some stats that were below their average and their freshmen clearly had problems.

 

[Wbbfan1]

I knew my answer, but the statement/question in my original post was Rhetorical as I wasn't expecting anyone to actually answer it.

You asked a question, correct?

Did you not know the answer?

 

[meyers7]

(2) you thought that the victory by DePaul was flukey and that DePaul was the weaker team but that it had one of those unlikely nights when it was able to beat a superior team. But I don't hear you saying either of those things, not as to DePaul, anyway. (I suspect you thought BYU's win fits in category (2).)

Well yea, that's kinda of a no brainer. Don't know if that should have to be explained. Just like playing a 7 seed should be easier than playing a 2 seed. Playing a 12 seed should be easier than playing a 4 seed (on their home court). The bracket got a lot easier for UCONN. Not that it was that difficult to start with.

 

[Blue Huskie]

Agree, UCONN's bracket definitely did not get tougher by having BYU and DePaul advance.

That's for sure. In fact this might be one of those years when our third game is easier than our second game. I watched it but still can't figure out how BYU won that game last night.
At any rate I really don't see us having a truly "tough" game until the FF (Unless something bizarre happens).

 

[ASweet3781]

BYU had a kid who made like 4 3's all year come in last night and hit 3 of them when their big girl in foul trouble. Perfect storm.

I think UConn caught a break not facing Nebraska on their home floor. Obviously we would have won but their fans are really rabid and loud and they seem to play well there. BYU not as hard a Sweet 16 team. They tried to throw the game away at the end.

As for DePaul? Clearly better than a Jones/Gray less Duke team. Led them from start to finish at Cameron. If you look at what teams could cause an upset ala Louisville last year it would be teams who A. Score B. Shoot the 3 well and C. have 5 offensive threats on the floor. DePaul has that. They hit 14 3's last night and their 5 starters all had double figures. Do I think they will beat us? No. But we will need to be sharp to beat that team. They will have some stretches where they will be hot and will cause some nervousness on here. Certainly more than a more predictable offensive Duke team would have.

So I don't think the bracket changed all that dramatically. We avoided a road game in the Sweet 16 which is nice. But the 2nd best team in the bracket is still on pace for the regional final. I don't see A&M beating DePaul.

 

[Striper69]

That's for sure. In fact this might be one of those years when our third game is easier than our second game. I watched it but still can't figure out how BYU won that game last night.
At any rate I really don't see us having a truly "tough" game until the FF (Unless something bizarre happens).

BYU has had the potential for a game like this all season. Sometimes Beeson or Eaton has a big game but when they don't usually they have a tough time. Last night the Huskers tried to focus too much attention on Hamson and it backfired.

UCONN better hope that BYU doesn't really have a "perfect game" if they meet.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

. . . No Huskies v. Huskers in a packed arena is disappointing. I hope the Nebraska fans show up and appreciate good basketball. . .

I am hopeful that there will be a good crowd in Lincoln. I'm guessing that a lot of Husker fans
expected their team to still be alive and bought tickets in advance on the basis of that expectation.

Now they will have a tough time selling those tickets, or even giving them away. . . so why not
use them? After all . . . the circus is coming to town.

 

[UConnChapette]

I'm disappointed. I wanted to see UConn play Nebraska in front of a crazy crowd. Oh well.

Me too.

 

[Blue Huskie]

BYU has had the potential for a game like this all season. Sometimes Beeson or Eaton has a big game but when they don't usually they have a tough time. Last night the Huskers tried to focus too much attention on Hamson and it backfired.

UCONN better hope that BYU doesn't really have a "perfect game" if they meet.

From what I saw of their ability to take care of the ball that seems highly unlikely.

 

[Buzzyboy]

BYU had a kid who made like 4 3's all year come in last night and hit 3 of them when their big girl in foul trouble. Perfect storm.

I think UConn caught a break not facing Nebraska on their home floor. Obviously we would have won but their fans are really rabid and loud and they seem to play well there. BYU not as hard a Sweet 16 team. They tried to throw the game away at the end.

As for DePaul? Clearly better than a Jones/Gray less Duke team. Led them from start to finish at Cameron. If you look at what teams could cause an upset ala Louisville last year it would be teams who A. Score B. Shoot the 3 well and C. have 5 offensive threats on the floor. DePaul has that. They hit 14 3's last night and their 5 starters all had double figures. Do I think they will beat us? No. But we will need to be sharp to beat that team. They will have some stretches where they will be hot and will cause some nervousness on here. Certainly more than a more predictable offensive Duke team would have.

So I don't think the bracket changed all that dramatically. We avoided a road game in the Sweet 16 which is nice. But the 2nd best team in the bracket is still on pace for the regional final. I don't see A&M beating DePaul.

We caught a break not having to play Nebraska on their home court????? Why is that? Is it because we haven't played any good teams on their home court this year???? No, I think we played a slew of top 20 teams on their home court and smacked them, didn't we! Maybe it would have been better to play a good home team with a raucous crowd because maybe it would better prepare us for the Final Four. We don't want a bunch of walkovers and then have to "turn it on" once we get to the Final Four. I know, UConn never really turns it off but a nice test in the regional finals might have been helpful, don't you think????