What those 3 BET games meant for UConn

[DogMania]

Even though our guys lost today, a lot of good came from these 3 BET games.

They went from possibly being a bubble team with an NCAA at-large bid in question to a definite participant (Note many experts felt we were in, but there have been many a program that the experts and the programs themselves felt they had a strong enough resume but didn't get in.)

They went from a struggling team to one that is to be contended with. Granted they still have some issues that I'm not sure can be fixed, such as being better at finishing plays (i.e. making shots), but they are executing much better on both ends of the floor. If they can continue to rebound like they did today and limit their opponents second chance shots, this team is going to make teams in their region very unhappy.

Our seeding improved with each win, but the SU lost will cost us some spots, which could turn out to be a huge impact on this teams chances of advancing deep into the tournament. There's now a greater chance that the committee will seed UConn in one of those away court situations we are all too familiar with.

My two greatest concerns moving forward are being seeded in a hostile pod or region though my bigger concern is being matched up against both a higher and even a lower seed that we don't match up well against. The two primary match-up problems I see are teams that are very good at playing a lot of pressure defense, such as UL or teams that have big athletic guards such as Marquette that tend to bump, grind and swallow-up our smallish guards. I guess a third would be teams that play predominantly zone defense, but I thought we've improved our zone busting offense enough to beat most zone teams.

I'm very disappointing that we won't get to see our Huskies play over the next couple nights in the BET and have a chance at another 5 Ws in 5 Days, but I'm very pleased with how much this team has improved over just a couple weeks. We went from a team that couldn't even win back-to-back games for well over a month, a team that I felt didn't deserve to be in the NCAA Tournament, to one that I think with favorable match-ups could make as deep as an E-8 run or even reach -4.

Now would I be shocked if they didn't make it to the 2nd week of the tournament? Probably not. But the way they hung in there against SU, one of the top teams in the nation and how they came back to beat WVU, gives me great hope that this team realizes it has something to prove and will be on a mission, hopefully a successful one.

 

[RS9999X]

It says they are in the hunt. Maybe not the best team out there but capable of bringing down a whale on a good night. Botton line they are getting a tough set of first round games. Likely a 1 or 2 seed opponent in the round of 32

 

[tzznandrew]

Even though our guys lost today, a lot of good came from these 3 BET games.

They went from possibly being a bubble team with an NCAA at-large bid in question to a definite participant (Note many experts felt we were in, but there have been many a program that the experts and the programs themselves felt they had a strong enough resume but didn't get in.)

They went from a struggling team to one that is to be contended with. Granted they still have some issues that I'm not sure can be fixed, such as being better at finishing plays (i.e. making shots)

Our seeding improved with each win, but the SU lost will cost us some spots, which could turn out to be a huge impact on this teams chances of advancing deep into the tournament. There's now a greater chance that the committee will seed UConn in one of those away court situations we area all too familiar with.

My two greatest concerns moving forward are being seeded in a hostile pod or region though my bigger concern is being matched up against both a higher and even a lower seed that we don't match up well against. The two primary match-up problems I see are teams that are very good at playing a lot of pressure defense, such as UL or teams that have big athletic guards such as Marquette that tend to bump, grind and swallow-up our smallish guards. I guess a third would be teams that play predominantly zone defense, but I thought we've improved our zone busting offense enough to beat most zone teams.

I'm very disappointing that we won't get to see our Huskies play over the next couple nights in the BET and have a chance at another 5 Ws in 5 Days, but I'm very pleased with how much this team has improved since just a couple weeks ago. We went from a team that couldn't even win back-to-back games for well over a month that I felt didn't deserve to be in the NCAA Tournament to one that I think with favorable match-ups could make as deep as an E-8 run or even reach -4.

Now would I be shocked if they didn't make it to the 2nd week of the tournament? Probably not. But the way they hung in there against SU, one of the top teams in the nation and should have beaten them if they had simply shot the ball like they had been the past two weeks, give me great hope that this team realizes it has something to prove and will be on a mission, hopefully a successful one.

Here's the great thing--if they've made it to the second weekend, they're likely going to the Elite 8, because they've taken out a 1 or 2.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Here's the great thing--if they've made it to the second weekend, they're likely going to the Elite 8, because they've taken out a 1 or 2.

Bottom line this team is going to be anywhere from an 8 seed to a 10. I prefer the 10. So if we can get past the 1st round (playing a borderline Top 25 team) we will play either a 1 or a 2 seed. Odds are it is going to be hostile territory. I'm preparing myself for that. I can live with that if we can get the right matchup. Like DM said, teams with big guards will give us trouble. I really do think Duke is a good match up for us. Not sure how we would do against a Missouri, whose quickness should be negated against our 3 guard line up, but their pressure would bother us.

 

[ford82]

I didn't see the game today, but I think these games were good for Andre Drummond. He started competing at a higher level. Jim Calhoun mentioned that yesterday. He has a ways to go in that area, but the fact that he responded shows that he has it in him. Some guys don't have it at all and never do. He does and that is a good sign for his future.

 

[DogMania]

Here's the great thing--if they've made it to the second weekend, they're likely going to the Elite 8, because they've taken out a 1 or 2.

I think there are a lot of 1s and 2s out there that are hoping UConn is not seeded in their region. As as said above, IMO, it's match-ups and not seeding that will make the difference. Last year we didn't get a really high seed, but we sure got an excellent draw. Hopefully the teams that are constructed better to beat us are in other regions. Looking at top seeds I would not be afraid to face Dook, UNC, OSU (though I haven't watched them and they might have big guards) or even Baylor to name a few top teams, though Baylor's stock has been going down. I'm not sure I'd want to face UK, KU, Mizzu, MSU or Marquette in the first week or the 2nd week to that matter. Those teams teams either have a lot of big athletic guards or like to pressure the guards.

At this point, I'm happy we're in and bring 'em on!!!

 

[Tenspro2002]

I just want to get through our first round opponent. We could just as easily lay an egg against a hungry mid-major like Creighton.

 

[mets1090]

Last year we didn't get a really high seed, but we sure got an excellent draw.

Not to nitpick, but a 3 seed isn't a really high seed? Especially for a team that went 9-9 in conference. Agreed though, our bracket was built perfectly for us to come out of it. We got a good 2 seed matchup and our 1 seed got a miserable sweet 16 matchup.

 

[tzznandrew]

I think there are a lot of 1s and 2s out there that are hoping UConn is not seeded in their region. As as said above, IMO, it's match-ups and not seeding that will make the difference. Last year we didn't get a really high seed, but we sure got an excellent draw. Hopefully the teams that are constructed better to beat us are in other regions. Looking at top seeds I would not be afraid to face Dook, UNC, OSU (though I haven't watched them and they might have big guards) or even Baylor to name a few top teams, though Baylor's stock has been going down. I'm not sure I'd want to face UK, KU, Mizzu, MSU or Marquette in the first week or the 2nd week to that matter. Those teams teams either have a lot of big athletic guards or like to pressure the guards.

At this point, I'm happy we're in and bring 'em on!!!

UNC and Duke would suck because we'd be playing them in North Carolina. The Duke matchup only scares me because they are huckers, and this team hasn't demonstrated they can really defend the line.

UNC scares me because we've had trouble historically against Roy Williams teams.

OSU doesn't scare me. Those other teams you suggested are teams I'd really like to avoid.

Best draw: mediocre major conference team round 1, OSU or Duke round 2. Hope for chaos--although if you get UNC or UK in the Elite 8, you have to live with it. Gotta beat someone sometime.

Looking forward to seeing the draw.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Ohio State would be a great draw for us. I could see them playing lackadaisical and us taking advantage.

This feels like one of those years where North Carolina is going to romp through the Tournament and beat everyone by 20.

 

[tzznandrew]

Ohio State would be a great draw for us. I could see them playing lackadaisical and us taking advantage.

This feels like one of those years where North Carolina is going to romp through the Tournament and beat everyone by 20.

You think so? Unlike other years, they really don't have that perimeter defender than can harass the other team's best players. They've got some great pieces, but I think they just don't have the championship caliber defense.

 

[dogpause]

No one is going to play lackadasical against UConn, expecially when we're still the National Champion.

 

[uconnsox23]

Ohio State would be a great draw for us. I could see them playing lackadaisical and us taking advantage.

I would love to see the Drummond vs. Sullinger matchup. That would be the key