"I'm not knockin'em." - Rob Parker.
Yes you are, Rob. That's your schtick. I don't know how he still has a audience, because he knocks on everyone. I suppose he's a sports entertainment provocateur, but it is so transparent.
No, UConn didn't beat a 1 seed, but they beat three teams that did. Two factors contributed to UConn's 5th title that were totally outside their control. 1) The Selection Committee did a sub-par job this go-'round, and 2) The 1s didn't take care of their own business. Heck, 3/4 of my Final 4, didn't make the second week.
Granted the brackets are set before the final AP poll is released, but they can't even fall back on that. In the week 18 poll, UConn and KSU were #11 and #12, respectively. UConn went 1-1 in the BET, up one spot to #10, and ended up on the 4 line. KSU lost in the BXIIT (after losing the week prior as well), was ranked #15 entering the Tournament, but maintained their higher seed. Ironically, if UConn was properly seeded, their chances of winning decrease.
Talking heads also still don't account for the increasing parity or that recruiting is ever evolving. Information has increased exponentially since the the 90's (Internet), let alone from 50-60 years ago when Sam Gilbert's money was taking care of Kareem, Bill Walton, and Gale Goodrich. For instance, what are the chances that a player like Johnell Powell ends up in Boca vs. IUPUI or Valpo in 1996? Not only has AAU exploded, there is so much coverage, that coaches on a tighter budget can still research recruits from their office. Now even consider the game changers that are NIL or the transfer portal, of which we are just seeing the scratches upon the surface. Gone are the days where one may just pencil in the 1s and 2s straight to the Sweet 16.
