The One Seed

[Tonyc]

The last 2 one seeds get interesting now. With Azzi coming back hopefully sooner then later and with that, if UConn looks anything like they did early in the season with her back UConn imo should be a one seed. To do that they will have to prove to the Selection Committee by showing they can dominate the BET. I expect a gradual improvement from Caroline and Azzi as the next 10 days give UConn time to get their health and mind reset. This will be a different team with Caroline and Azzi on the floor. This post season could be one of the most unbelievable seasons Geno has ever had just because of what UConn has overcome. Moving forward its not about what happened during the season, so lets not bring up the past, its about how soon UConn can get ready for their next game. Its all about the next game and not looking into the future. Inch by inch its a synch.

To get the one seed UConn has to show the NCAA Selection Committee that they are the UConn we saw earlier in the season. We most likely wont be 100% and we wont have to be early on. We will continue to improve with the time off we have between weekends. To get to where we wanna be and expect to be will come from our scorers. We have lacked scorers and some how through grit and determination we got to where we are. We need players who can hit outside shots and players who can create their own shot. Caroline and Azzi's presence on the court will help open things up giving everybody else room to move and create. Caroline and Azzis presence will change the flow of the offense. We've seen Dorka Aaliyah and Lou create one on one. Recently its been tuff for them because of how defenses have played UConn. The games we lost we lost due to lack of scorers/players and we still won 26 games. With Caroline and Azzi on the floor that all changes. Things will open up and if a player is doubled then someone else is open to kick it out to and that open player now can knock down an uncontested shot. At 6'2 Caroline is a mismatch for most defenses. She can shoot and create her own shot under duress. I know some one you are thinking but Caroline is hurt and hasnt been herself. My response is I would take Caroline under pressure in a game where we need a basket. Great players have an act to come through when the pressure is on. The point is we now have more threats to score. We may not shoot 50% but we have players who can score and that puts pressure on defenses to have to play defense.

Some of you may be thinking "what if" Azzi doesnt come back. Azzi lives for moments like this. Its in her blood thats why she is the player she is. We wont be the same team whether Caroline and Azzi play 20 minutes or 30 minutes. We will be a huge threat and fear for most teams we play. Think for a minute. UConn will have Caroline and Azzi coming off the bench. Thats scary. Think about this too having Carolne Azzi and Lou on the floor at the same time. That would leave the middle wide open. We have a few days to win the BET then we have time off to rest and get healthy for the NCAAs with the first 2 rounds at Gampel. I am confident that there isnt a team out there that will be able to stop a pretty healthy UConn team. The key to UConns success over the past few weeks has been get healthy, get rest, and get Caroline and Azzi back. Well the schedule we have will allow us to do that and thats what makes me confident.

 

[Dillon77]

The last 2 one seeds get interesting now. With Azzi coming back hopefully sooner then later and with that, if UConn looks anything like they did early in the season with her back UConn imo should be a one seed. To do that they will have to prove to the Selection Committee by showing they can dominate the BET. I expect a gradual improvement from Caroline and Azzi as the next 10 days give UConn time to get their health and mind reset. This will be a different team with Caroline and Azzi on the floor. This post season could be one of the most unbelievable seasons Geno has ever had just because of what UConn has overcome. Moving forward its not about what happened during the season, so lets not bring up the past, its about how soon UConn can get ready for their next game. Its all about the next game and not looking into the future. Inch by inch its a synch.

To get the one seed UConn has to show the NCAA Selection Committee that they are the UConn we saw earlier in the season. We most likely wont be 100% and we wont have to be early on. We will continue to improve with the time off we have between weekends. To get to where we wanna be and expect to be will come from our scorers. We have lacked scorers and some how through grit and determination we got to where we are. We need players who can hit outside shots and players who can create their own shot. Caroline and Azzi's presence on the court will help open things up giving everybody else room to move and create. Caroline and Azzis presence will change the flow of the offense. We've seen Dorka Aaliyah and Lou create one on one. Recently its been tuff for them because of how defenses have played UConn. The games we lost we lost due to lack of scorers/players and we still won 26 games. With Caroline and Azzi on the floor that all changes. Things will open up and if a player is doubled then someone else is open to kick it out to and that open player now can knock down an uncontested shot. At 6'2 Caroline is a mismatch for most defenses. She can shoot and create her own shot under duress. I know some one you are thinking but Caroline is hurt and hasnt been herself. My response is I would take Caroline under pressure in a game where we need a basket. Great players have an act to come through when the pressure is on. The point is we now have more threats to score. We may not shoot 50% but we have players who can score and that puts pressure on defenses to have to play defense.

Some of you may be thinking "what if" Azzi doesnt come back. Azzi lives for moments like this. Its in her blood thats why she is the

Hey Tony: Loved the post, as per usual, but did you mean this to be "over here" on the General Board? Seems like this is for the UConn section, unless you'd like to preach to the (un) converted?

There are a number of teams right now that are missing some serious pieces of their teams (FSU with Latson, NC State with Johnson, ND with Miles and Mabrey), so it will be interesting to see who gets some the personnel back for the NCAA's. Stay tuned.

 

[SEbluebood]

Tony,
Love your enthusiasm, but I am not buying it. Too many “ifs, buts and maybes”. UConn is simply like any other top ten team except South Carolina, talented, but flawed and capable of big wins and head scratching losses with or with Azzi. Nothing more, nothing less. Plus, teams no longer fear UConn. Your scenario is not impossible, but is unlikely!

 

[GamecockFam]

I don't know if UConn controls their own destiny concerning 1-seed status. I could be wrong but they need teams above them to have bad losses in their respective tournaments. So far Utah has checked that box, but I think a few more early tournament losses need to happen for UConn to re-enter the 1-seed conversation.

They also need South Carolina and Indiana to win their tournaments. If LSU or Maryland/Iowa win their respective tournaments, I think those teams will occupy the remaining two spots.

 

[Zanzman]

Tony,
Love your enthusiasm, but I am not buying it. Too many “ifs, buts and maybes”. UConn is simply like any other top ten team except South Carolina, talented, but flawed and capable of big wins and head scratching losses with or with Azzi. Nothing more, nothing less. Plus, teams no longer fear UConn. Your scenario is not impossible, but is unlikely!

South carolina isn’t flawed

 

[visitingcock]

South carolina isn’t flawed

Of course we have flaws,

Hopefully, our strengths cover the flaws but they are there. 3 point percentage? Free throw percentage is not great. Etc.

Even if we end up with a perfect season, that doesn’t mean we are perfect.

Edit: maybe you meant to put a question mark at the end of your sentence

 

[nwhoopfan]

Who wants a #1 seed? A whole bunch of teams that might've had a shot at it have hurt their chances during conference tourneys.

 

[CTGirl15]

Who wants a #1 seed? A whole bunch of teams that might've had a shot at it have hurt their chances during conference tourneys.

Stanford, Utah, Indiana, LSU. All upset in their conference tournaments, all potential 1 seeds.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Stanford, Utah, Indiana, LSU. All upset in their conference tournaments, all potential 1 seeds.

Maryland too. Maybe not an upset by seeding in their tourney, but they'd been getting mentioned as a potential #1 seed and hard to see it happening now.

edit--and not that any of the ACC teams were gonna get a #1 seed, but their top 2 seeds in their conference tourney lost in the semifinals

 

[hoopsnloops32]

I don't know if UConn controls their own destiny concerning 1-seed status. I could be wrong but they need teams above them to have bad losses in their respective tournaments. So far Utah has checked that box, but I think a few more early tournament losses need to happen for UConn to re-enter the 1-seed conversation.

They also need South Carolina and Indiana to win their tournaments. If LSU or Maryland/Iowa win their respective tournaments, I think those teams will occupy the remaining two spots.

I think Azzi returning changes thing’s significantly for Uconns seeding. She was a question mark until today and people were discounting our early season wins because they happened with her. Now our last 10 games mean less.

With what’s happened around the country of UConn wins their next two games by 20+ I think they get a one seed. If they win close games I’m not sure. Lose and they are a 2-3 seed.

 

[visitingcock]

Hey Charlie Crème:

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM.

 

[GamecockFam]

I think Azzi returning changes thing’s significantly for Uconns seeding. She was a question mark until today and people were discounting our early season wins because they happened with her. Now our last 10 games mean less.

With what’s happened around the country of UConn wins their next two games by 20+ I think they get a one seed. If they win close games I’m not sure. Lose and they are a 2-3 seed.

The door is open for sure. Charlie Creme still feels like Stanford is a 1 seed, which shocked me to hear that. If so, I think it comes down to Iowa and UConn for that 4th 1-seed. Va. Tech could be a dark horse candidate as well.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

The door is open for sure. Charlie Creme still feels like Stanford is a 1 seed, which shocked me to hear that. If so, I think it comes down to Iowa and UConn for that 4th 1-seed. Va. Tech could be a dark horse candidate as well.

Charlie Creme is an idiot though so that doesn’t mean much. I think Stanford might get it but their resume isn’t that great nor is the eye test.

UConn would win over Iowa in a head to head if UConn wins out and it came down to that. They’ll have a better record against a tougher schedule and have beaten Iowa already without our starting center who averages a double double available. Match ups are more important to me than the One-seed. I think the 1, two and top 3 seeds are all fairly evenly matched, besides South Carolina so the benefit of s one seed would be playing a 4 seed during the sweet sixteen.

 

[bballnut90]

SC/Indiana are locks. After that it gets interesting. UCONN's case got a lot stronger with early exits by teams ahead of them. Utah/LSU had clear paths and lost to unranked teams. Maryland is no longer a contender after losing, leaving just Stanford/Iowa/Virginia Tech. I'm not seeing it for Virginia Tech (though it could happen), and for the final 2 spots I think it's a toss up between Stanford/Iowa (assuming they win tomorrow)/UCONN (assuming they win their next 2 games).

Regardless though, the key for any of these teams is avoiding South Carolina's regional where they'll have to face an undefeated SC in SC which spells doom for any competitor.

 

[Tonyc]

Well Ive been saying it for the past few weeks with Caroline and Azzi back UConn is gonna be a tuff out. Everything now opens up for UConn. Now UConn gets rest and plays on weekends with days off just like everyone else. Only UConn now has Azzi and Caroline who need the rest and practice. UConn plays in CT this weekend and next weekend. I would think Azzi and Caroline we be playing pretty close to their A game. UConn now has Azzi Caroline and Lou 3 great scorers/shooters to go with their bigs. This changes everything.

I agree SC and Indiana are 1 seeds. The last 2 one seeds are up for grabs. UConn Stanford Maybe LSU with their weak schedule Im not sure. MD and VTech I dont think so. Utah Im not sure either. UConn now is very strong and I feel with all thats happened if they win the BET theyre a one seed. UConn has one bad loss and alot of really good wins with the tuffest schedule. If UConn isnt a one seed I wouldnt want them in my bracket as a 2 seed.

 

[visitingcock]

SC/Indiana are locks. After that it gets interesting. UCONN's case got a lot stronger with early exits by teams ahead of them. Utah/LSU had clear paths and lost to unranked teams. Maryland is no longer a contender after losing, leaving just Stanford/Iowa/Virginia Tech. I'm not seeing it for Virginia Tech (though it could happen), and for the final 2 spots I think it's a toss up between Stanford/Iowa (assuming they win tomorrow)/UCONN (assuming they win their next 2 games).

Regardless though, the key for any of these teams is avoiding South Carolina's regional where they'll have to face an undefeated SC in SC which spells doom for any competitor.

Sigh. No, they don’t need to ovoids SCar’s regional (Greenville). They need to avoid Scar’s “bracket.”

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Sigh. No, they don’t need to ovoids SCar’s regional (Greenville). They need to avoid Scar’s “bracket.”

I think they mean avoid South Carolina in the regional final, I.e the elite eight.

 

[bballnut90]

Sigh. No, they don’t need to ovoids SCar’s regional (Greenville). They need to avoid Scar’s “bracket.”

Different verbiage, same point being made.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

I believe at this point three of the #1 seeds are already filled. SC, Indiana and Stanford. In the last reveal Stanford was number 3. The teams that could have easily jumped them have either lost to an unranked team or have lacked a recent signature win to warrant the jump.


I believe LSU and Maryland are now out of the running and I think the current contenders are Iowa, Utah, UConn and Virginia Tech in that order.

Iowa has beaten Indiana and Maryland since their last reveal, with a potential win against Ohio State as well. Utah 4 losses have come from 4 teams they have also beaten this season and their worst loss has a net ranking of only 33, which was Washington State. If Washington State wins the Pac-12, I believe it will help Utah's case.

UConn has had a rocky season but the return of more healthy players could net them the benefit of the doubt. Virginia Tech is on a 10 game winning streak but I don't see any wins that's worthy of them jumping from 8th to 4th.

Here was the last reveal
Top 16 seeds
1. South Carolina
2. Indiana
3. Stanford
4. Utah
5. LSU
6. Maryland
7. UConn
8. Virginia Tech
9. Iowa
10. Notre Dame
11. Duke
12. Ohio State
13. Texas
14. Villanova
15. Arizona
16. Michigan

 

[TheFarmFan]

I believe at this point three of the #1 seeds are already filled. SC, Indiana and Stanford. In the last reveal Stanford was number 3. The teams that could have easily jumped them have either lost to an unranked team or have lacked a recent signature win to warrant the jump.


I believe LSU and Maryland are now out of the running and I think the current contenders are Iowa, Utah, UConn and Virginia Tech in that order.

Iowa has beaten Indiana and Maryland since their last reveal, with a potential win against Ohio State as well. Utah 4 losses have come from 4 teams they have also beaten this season and their worst loss has a net ranking of only 33, which was Washington State. If Washington State wins the Pac-12, I believe it will help Utah's case.

UConn has had a rocky season but the return of more healthy players could net them the benefit of the doubt. Virginia Tech is on a 10 game winning streak but I don't see any wins that's worthy of them jumping from 8th to 4th.

Here was the last reveal
Top 16 seeds
1. South Carolina
2. Indiana
3. Stanford
4. Utah
5. LSU
6. Maryland
7. UConn
8. Virginia Tech
9. Iowa
10. Notre Dame
11. Duke
12. Ohio State
13. Texas
14. Villanova
15. Arizona
16. Michigan

Great list, and agree with most of your logic, but I'd sub UCLA in for Arizona, the former of which just demolished the latter, and then beat Stanford. Zona, meanwhile, has been in the midst of a fainting spell. And if UCLA were to win today, there's no way that kind of P5 autobid won't host the first two rounds.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Great list, and agree with most of your logic, but I'd sub UCLA in for Arizona, the former of which just demolished the latter, and then beat Stanford. Zona, meanwhile, has been in the midst of a fainting spell. And if UCLA were to win today, there's no way that kind of P5 autobid won't host the first two rounds.

This list was the last Committee list released on February 23rd, but I'll gladly take credit for it, if it looks good lol.

 

[sweetspot]

I believe at this point three of the #1 seeds are already filled. SC, Indiana and Stanford. In the last reveal Stanford was number 3. The teams that could have easily jumped them have either lost to an unranked team or have lacked a recent signature win to warrant the jump.


I believe LSU and Maryland are now out of the running and I think the current contenders are Iowa, Utah, UConn and Virginia Tech in that order.

Iowa has beaten Indiana and Maryland since their last reveal, with a potential win against Ohio State as well. Utah 4 losses have come from 4 teams they have also beaten this season and their worst loss has a net ranking of only 33, which was Washington State. If Washington State wins the Pac-12, I believe it will help Utah's case.

UConn has had a rocky season but the return of more healthy players could net them the benefit of the doubt. Virginia Tech is on a 10 game winning streak but I don't see any wins that's worthy of them jumping from 8th to 4th.

Here was the last reveal
Top 16 seeds
1. South Carolina
2. Indiana
3. Stanford
4. Utah
5. LSU
6. Maryland
7. UConn
8. Virginia Tech
9. Iowa
10. Notre Dame
11. Duke
12. Ohio State
13. Texas
14. Villanova
15. Arizona
16. Michigan

Maryland is not out of the running. Why would a loss to Iowa hurt their seeding?

 

[ISUnorth]

Blogger's, like click baiting Creme, focus on what's happened in the last 48 hours and overinflate wins/losses in the league tournaments or any single win or loss in the final week. WBB fans mostly do the same same thing. The committee, on the other hand, is looking at a 30 game season resume and isn't likely to play a huge game of scrabble at this point in the season. I am not expecting any yuge deviations from the last reveal, likely more shuffling of the #2's and #3's than the #1's. Whatever happens people will be grumping about the fourth #1.

 

[bballnut90]

If the committee forgives UCONN's quality of play the last month for Fudd returning (based on 6 healthy games in November/early December), shouldn't Ohio State get the same benefit of the doubt with Sheldon back? Yesterday she was a +20 in a 4 point win and was huge with 12 points and 4 steals in just 15 minutes. Defensively Sheldon turns them into a monster which was lacking when she was out. They're a completely different team with her. Even without her, their only bad loss is to Purdue. Ohio State's other losses were to Maryland twice, Indiana twice, and Iowa. With her back they just beat #2 Indiana and could beat potential #1 seed Iowa too. If that happens they have a case to be a 2 seed IMO.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

If the committee forgives UCONN's quality of play the last month for Fudd returning (based on 6 healthy games in November/early December), shouldn't Ohio State get the same benefit of the doubt with Sheldon back? Yesterday she was a +20 in a 4 point win and was huge with 12 points and 4 steals in just 15 minutes. Defensively Sheldon turns them into a monster which was lacking when she was out. They're a completely different team with her. Even without her, their only bad loss is to Purdue. Ohio State's other losses were to Maryland twice, Indiana twice, and Iowa. With her back they just beat #2 Indiana and could beat potential #1 seed Iowa too. If that happens they have a case to be a 2 seed IMO.

I think Sheldon coming back should improve their seeding, same as Fudd and Ducharme returning for UConn. I don’t think they should be in the conversation for a one seed like UConn but certainly a 2 seed.