Trilly Hypothetical - Who Wins a Tourney of Last 8 Champs | The Boneyard

Trilly Hypothetical - Who Wins a Tourney of Last 8 Champs

Really a matchup of Bridges, Brunson and Divencenzo against that 24 team. Their argument will be they could space us out (like Bama tried to do).

Clingan would absolutely have his way with a 6 9 freshman Spellman. Not sure this would be much different than Purdue where we drop Clingan back and let our perimeter defenders drape the 3 point line. Put Castle on Dante, a taller Newt on Brunson and let them beat us with a middy game. Great players on that Nova team but that UConn team had a secret sauce in terms of matchups that I think would swallow that Nova team. I honestly don’t think it would be that close, 8-9 point win.
 
  1. 2024 UConn (37–3) – Dominant run, top metrics
  2. 2021 Baylor (28–2) – Elite defense, crushed Gonzaga
  3. 2018 Villanova (36–4) – Historic offensive efficiency
  4. 2022 Kansas (34–6) – Strong comeback in title game
  5. 2025 Florida (36–4) – Newest champ, solid but less proven
  6. 2019 Virginia (35–3) – Redemption run, elite defense
  7. 2017 UNC (33–7) – Gritty, experienced squad
  8. 2023 UConn (31–8) – Lower seed due to record, but dangerous

🏆 Quarterfinals:​

  • (1) 2024 UConn vs (8) 2023 UConn
  • (4) 2022 Kansas vs (5) 2025 Florida
  • (3) 2018 Villanova vs (6) 2019 Virginia
  • (2) 2021 Baylor vs (7) 2017 UNC

(1) 2024 UConn vs (8) 2023 UConn​

Score: 2024 UConn 78 – 2023 UConn 65
Analysis:
The 2024 squad was more dominant overall, with better shooting and defense. Donovan Clingan anchors the paint, while Stephon Castle and Tristen Newton control tempo. The 2023 team fights hard, but lacks the depth and polish of their successors.

MVP: Donovan Clingan – 16 pts, 12 reb, 4 blk

(4) 2022 Kansas vs (5) 2025 Florida​


Score: 2022 Kansas 74 – 2025 Florida 70
Analysis:
A tight game. Florida’s recent title team shows grit and athleticism, but Kansas’s experience and clutch play from Ochai Agbaji and David McCormack give them the edge. Kansas’s second-half comeback mirrors their real championship run.

MVP: Ochai Agbaji – 21 pts, 5 reb

(3) 2018 Villanova vs (6) 2019 Virginia

Score: 2018 Villanova 81 – 2019 Virginia 66
Analysis:
Villanova’s offensive firepower overwhelms Virginia’s methodical pace. Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson light it up from deep, while Virginia struggles to keep up despite a solid game from Kyle Guy.

MVP: Jalen Brunson – 18 pts, 7 ast

(2) 2021 Baylor vs (7) 2017 UNC

Score: 2021 Baylor 76 – 2017 UNC 68
Analysis:
UNC’s rebounding and toughness keep it close, but Baylor’s elite perimeter defense and shooting prove decisive. Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell lock down the Tar Heels’ guards and hit clutch shots late.

MVP: Jared Butler – 19 pts, 4 stl

🏆 Semi-finals:​

(1) 2024 UConn vs (4) 2022 Kansas​


Score: 2024 UConn 75 – 2022 Kansas 68
Analysis:
Kansas starts strong with McCormack and Agbaji attacking early, but UConn’s depth and defense wear them down. Clingan dominates the boards, and Castle hits key shots in the second half. UConn’s ability to switch defensively and control tempo proves decisive.

MVP: Stephon Castle – 17 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast

(2) 2021 Baylor vs (3) 2018 Villanova​

Score: 2021 Baylor 83 – 2018 Villanova 79
Analysis:
An instant classic. Villanova’s spacing and shooting keep them in it, but Baylor’s physicality and elite guard play edge them out. Davion Mitchell’s defense on Brunson is key, and Jared Butler hits a dagger three in the final minute.

MVP: Jared Butler – 22 pts, 5 ast, 3 stl

🏆 Championship​

Final Score:
2021 Baylor 77 – 2024 UConn 73​

First Half:
UConn starts strong with Clingan dominating inside and Castle pushing the pace. Baylor counters with intense perimeter defense and hot shooting from Butler and Flagler. The half ends tied at 36–36.
Second Half:
Baylor’s physicality begins to wear down UConn. Davion Mitchell locks down Castle, forcing turnovers. UConn rallies late with Newton hitting a clutch three, but Baylor’s composure and free-throw shooting seal the win.

⭐
Jared Butler (Baylor): 24 pts, 6 ast, 3 stl – Tournament MVP
Donovan Clingan (UConn): 18 pts, 11 reb, 3 blk
Davion Mitchell (Baylor): 14 pts, 5 ast, elite defense

🏆Their combination of elite guard play, suffocating defense, and championship experience gives them the edge in a tightly contested final.​

 
UCLJ0211 said:
Just one question: Who’s gonna guard Clingan on that 2018 Nova team?
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No one - he is the difference in this one, and a big one. And then you have a stone cold defender like Castle, who like Revis Island, would take out one of their key shooters. They get one dimensional fast. And we were huge along the perimeter. Without some threat of fouling Clingan out, there are few teams that I think could hang with that Uconn team. Any chance of that Nova team beating 24 would be some combination of a role player going nuts and their middy game taking fire. We were 3 points higher in KP, mainly due to defense.
 
2025 Florida vs 2022 Kansas: Florida by a little
2024 UConn vs. 2017 UNC: UConn by a lot
2019 Virginia vs. 2023 UConn: UConn by a moderate amount
2021 Baylor vs. 2018 Villanova: I loved that Baylor team but 2018 Villanova

2025 Florida vs 2024 UConn: UConn by a lot
2023 UConn vs 2018 Villanova: unfortunately, Villanova

Then 2024 UConn wins. They clear everyone
 
UCLJ0211 said:
Just one question: Who’s gonna guard Clingan on that 2018 Nova team?
Expand ...

It's a fair question, but let's not pretend like DC was one of the first three options on that team or a guy who got lots of post opportunities. He was a unicorn, in a sense, because he was so big and solid with the ball at the top of the key while we ran our stuff. If I was Nova, I'd sign up for a ton of post-ups as opposed to our guards getting open looks from 3.
 
RuffRuff said:
Really a matchup of Bridges, Brunson and Divencenzo against that 24 team. Their argument will be they could space us out (like Bama tried to do).

Clingan would absolutely have his way with a 6 9 freshman Spellman. Not sure this would be much different than Purdue where we drop Clingan back and let our perimeter defenders drape the 3 point line. Put Castle on Dante, a taller Newt on Brunson and let them beat us with a middy game. Great players on that Nova team but that UConn team had a secret sauce in terms of matchups that I think would swallow that Nova team. I honestly don’t think it would be that close, 8-9 point win.
Expand ...
Clingsn is the difference
18 NOVA has no answers inside
and we could defend the perimeter
and interesting matchup would be 23-24 UConn.
 
Hunt for 7 said:
Best part of this debate….how many schools have two teams 😁
Expand ...
Was looking at the list of teams that have won titles since UCLA in 1967 (58 titles), and it's a pretty select group.

Of those 58 titles, only 10 are singular winners (GTown, Maryland, Marquette, Michigan, UNLV, Virginia, Baylor, Arkansas, Arizona, Syracuse). The other 48 are divided amongst 12 teams (Duke, Uconn, UNC, UCLA, Kentucky, Villanova, Kansas, Florida, Indiana, NC St, Louisville, MSU).

So only 22 teams since 1967 have won titles. Pretty select group.
 
Deepster said:
  1. 2024 UConn (37–3) – Dominant run, top metrics
  2. 2021 Baylor (28–2) – Elite defense, crushed Gonzaga
  3. 2018 Villanova (36–4) – Historic offensive efficiency
  4. 2022 Kansas (34–6) – Strong comeback in title game
  5. 2025 Florida (36–4) – Newest champ, solid but less proven
  6. 2019 Virginia (35–3) – Redemption run, elite defense
  7. 2017 UNC (33–7) – Gritty, experienced squad
  8. 2023 UConn (31–8) – Lower seed due to record, but dangerous

🏆 Quarterfinals:​

  • (1) 2024 UConn vs (8) 2023 UConn
  • (4) 2022 Kansas vs (5) 2025 Florida
  • (3) 2018 Villanova vs (6) 2019 Virginia
  • (2) 2021 Baylor vs (7) 2017 UNC

(1) 2024 UConn vs (8) 2023 UConn​

Score: 2024 UConn 78 – 2023 UConn 65
Analysis:
The 2024 squad was more dominant overall, with better shooting and defense. Donovan Clingan anchors the paint, while Stephon Castle and Tristen Newton control tempo. The 2023 team fights hard, but lacks the depth and polish of their successors.

MVP: Donovan Clingan – 16 pts, 12 reb, 4 blk

(4) 2022 Kansas vs (5) 2025 Florida​


Score: 2022 Kansas 74 – 2025 Florida 70
Analysis:
A tight game. Florida’s recent title team shows grit and athleticism, but Kansas’s experience and clutch play from Ochai Agbaji and David McCormack give them the edge. Kansas’s second-half comeback mirrors their real championship run.

MVP: Ochai Agbaji – 21 pts, 5 reb

(3) 2018 Villanova vs (6) 2019 Virginia

Score: 2018 Villanova 81 – 2019 Virginia 66
Analysis:
Villanova’s offensive firepower overwhelms Virginia’s methodical pace. Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson light it up from deep, while Virginia struggles to keep up despite a solid game from Kyle Guy.

MVP: Jalen Brunson – 18 pts, 7 ast

(2) 2021 Baylor vs (7) 2017 UNC

Score: 2021 Baylor 76 – 2017 UNC 68
Analysis:
UNC’s rebounding and toughness keep it close, but Baylor’s elite perimeter defense and shooting prove decisive. Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell lock down the Tar Heels’ guards and hit clutch shots late.

MVP: Jared Butler – 19 pts, 4 stl

🏆 Semi-finals:​

(1) 2024 UConn vs (4) 2022 Kansas​


Score: 2024 UConn 75 – 2022 Kansas 68
Analysis:
Kansas starts strong with McCormack and Agbaji attacking early, but UConn’s depth and defense wear them down. Clingan dominates the boards, and Castle hits key shots in the second half. UConn’s ability to switch defensively and control tempo proves decisive.

MVP: Stephon Castle – 17 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast

(2) 2021 Baylor vs (3) 2018 Villanova​

Score: 2021 Baylor 83 – 2018 Villanova 79
Analysis:
An instant classic. Villanova’s spacing and shooting keep them in it, but Baylor’s physicality and elite guard play edge them out. Davion Mitchell’s defense on Brunson is key, and Jared Butler hits a dagger three in the final minute.

MVP: Jared Butler – 22 pts, 5 ast, 3 stl

🏆 Championship​

Final Score:​

2021 Baylor 77 – 2024 UConn 73​

First Half:
UConn starts strong with Clingan dominating inside and Castle pushing the pace. Baylor counters with intense perimeter defense and hot shooting from Butler and Flagler. The half ends tied at 36–36.
Second Half:
Baylor’s physicality begins to wear down UConn. Davion Mitchell locks down Castle, forcing turnovers. UConn rallies late with Newton hitting a clutch three, but Baylor’s composure and free-throw shooting seal the win.

⭐
Jared Butler (Baylor): 24 pts, 6 ast, 3 stl – Tournament MVP
Donovan Clingan (UConn): 18 pts, 11 reb, 3 blk
Davion Mitchell (Baylor): 14 pts, 5 ast, elite defense

🏆Their combination of elite guard play, suffocating defense, and championship experience gives them the edge in a tightly contested final.​

Expand ...
I call BS.
 
REB1094 said:
2025 Florida vs 2022 Kansas: Florida by a little
2024 UConn vs. 2017 UNC: UConn by a lot
2019 Virginia vs. 2023 UConn: UConn by a moderate amount
2021 Baylor vs. 2018 Villanova: I loved that Baylor team but 2018 Villanova

2025 Florida vs 2024 UConn: UConn by a lot
2023 UConn vs 2018 Villanova: unfortunately, Villanova

Then 2024 UConn wins. They clear everyone
Expand ...

2023 UConn vs Nova would be a fun game.
 
RuffRuff said:
You mean by the swarms of Uconn fans that attack like killer bees and are totally biased?
Expand ...

Biased? Truthful maybe, but there's no bias in the fact that both UConn teams listed were great teams.

I suggest you recount the many fans of other teams that indicated that the 24 team was tops.

Yes. A lot of UConn fans in that thread, but those teams are deserving of the fantacism.
 
RuffRuff said:
No one - he is the difference in this one, and a big one. And then you have a stone cold defender like Castle, who like Revis Island, would take out one of their key shooters. They get one dimensional fast. And we were huge along the perimeter. Without some threat of fouling Clingan out, there are few teams that I think could hang with that Uconn team. Any chance of that Nova team beating 24 would be some combination of a role player going nuts and their middy game taking fire. We were 3 points higher in KP, mainly due to defense.
Expand ...

Now you sound biased
 
I think it's hard because there is a lot of carry over from 23 to 24. DC, Karaban, Newton, were big parts of the team. I do think Cam and Castle would be the difference. Castle would take care of Jordan, but Ajax would have taken Spencer out of the game. The X-factor would have been Sanogo. It might be the first game where he would have to take 5+ 3s, and who knows how that would go. Then you would have frosh DC vs SJ.
It's fun to think about with all the matchups within the game. I would fork over $100 right now if there was some way to make it happen.
 
Spaceman213J said:
I think it's hard because there is a lot of carry over from 23 to 24. DC, Karaban, Newton, were big parts of the team. I do think Cam and Castle would be the difference. Castle would take care of Jordan, but Ajax would have taken Spencer out of the game. The X-factor would have been Sanogo. It might be the first game where he would have to take 5+ 3s, and who knows how that would go. Then you would have frosh DC vs SJ.
It's fun to think about with all the matchups within the game. I would fork over $100 right now if there was some way to make it happen.
Expand ...
Silly hypothetical given teams had many of the same players. 24 would smoke them just as they would the other 7 teams. 23 got hot at the right time, and really did get a soft field. 24 blew the doors off anyone. The Castle/Cling combo defensively was a crazy advantage, and Cam was a better college player than Hawkins. He’s likely a better future NBA player as well. By end of year Castle was a better all around college player than Ajx.
 

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