NCAA Tournament Thread

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Homer...

 

Final 4:

Iowa

Memphis

UConn

Florida

 

Elite 8:

Duke

Gonzaga

Tennessee

Villanova

[snoodmonger]

The KU bandwagon is out of control. I think they could beat anyone, but it's unlikely they'll play as well as they did against UT in the B12 tourney. I could easily see them losing to PITT in round 2.

 

They're definitely a great defensive team, and they're super athletic. They're also very balanced.

 

However, they're young, prone to turnovers, and tend to go through scoring droughts in each game. And they have games where they flat out can't hit an outside shot. (In the second game against Okie St., I believe they hit ONE jumpshot in the second half. One. Everything else was dunks, layups, free throws, and lowpost moves. ANd it's not like they were scoring at will. They won by a point.)

 

While I do have high hopes, be aware that this team isn't the collection of worldbeaters ESPN has suddenly made them out to be. Just be aware as you fill out your brackets.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The KU bandwagon is out of control. I think they could beat anyone, but it's unlikely they'll play as well as they did against UT in the B12 tourney. I could easily see them losing to PITT in round 2.

 

They're definitely a great defensive team, and they're super athletic. They're also very balanced.

 

However, they're young, prone to turnovers, and tend to go through scoring droughts in each game. And they have games where they flat out can't hit an outside shot. (In the second game against Okie St., I believe they hit ONE jumpshot in the second half. One. Everything else was dunks, layups, free throws, and lowpost moves. ANd it's not like they were scoring at will. They won by a point.)

 

While I do have high hopes, be aware that this team isn't the collection of worldbeaters ESPN has suddenly made them out to be. Just be aware as you fill out your brackets.

 

Ditto for UCLA (though they aren't as athletic as KU, especially Farmar and Afflalo in the backcourt).

 

I could as easily see the Bruins losing to Alabama/Marquette in the second round as going to the Final 4.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I could as easily see the Bruins losing to Alabama/Marquette in the second round as going to the Final 4.

 

I've filled out 10 brackets, and I have Kansas and UCLA losing in round 1 or 2 in 9 of them. My NSBB bracket has UCLA losing in the sweek 16.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The KU bandwagon is out of control. I think they could beat anyone, but it's unlikely they'll play as well as they did against UT in the B12 tourney. I could easily see them losing to PITT in round 2.

 

They're definitely a great defensive team, and they're super athletic. They're also very balanced.

 

However, they're young, prone to turnovers, and tend to go through scoring droughts in each game. And they have games where they flat out can't hit an outside shot. (In the second game against Okie St., I believe they hit ONE jumpshot in the second half. One. Everything else was dunks, layups, free throws, and lowpost moves. ANd it's not like they were scoring at will. They won by a point.)

 

While I do have high hopes, be aware that this team isn't the collection of worldbeaters ESPN has suddenly made them out to be. Just be aware as you fill out your brackets.

 

I'm amazed how many people have them in the Final 4. They probably have the toughest 13 seed then the toughest 5 seed, in a bracket where the 2 seed doesn't have to leave home.

[Flames24Rulz]

I could as easily see the Bruins losing to Alabama/Marquette in the second round as going to the Final 4.

 

I've filled out 10 brackets, and I have Kansas and UCLA losing in round 1 or 2 in 9 of them. My NSBB bracket has UCLA losing in the sweek 16.

 

2 real pools I'm in, 5 ESPN brackets and 2 yahoo brackets..I have Kansas beating Bradley only twice and UCLA moving on past the 2nd twice. I am not sold on Kansas at all...hopefully Bradley proves me right.

[dalgreen]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

MVC schools have the best shot IMO: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

2 real pools I'm in, 5 ESPN brackets and 2 yahoo brackets..I have Kansas beating Bradley only twice and UCLA moving on past the 2nd twice. I am not sold on Kansas at all...hopefully Bradley proves me right.

 

See, I'm the other way around. I fill out one bracket, and use that bracket for every pool I'm in. Filling out multiple brackets may help you win, but if it's not for money, what's the point? It takes all the skill out of it by having five different brackets in my opinion.

 

Had this discussion at work today (slow day in the stock market). One guy said he could take the time to fill out every single bracket combination possible, that way he'd be guaranteed to win. But would he really have won?

[Andy]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

MVC schools have the best shot IMO: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State

The answer is the same as last year: Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

[Andy]

2 real pools I'm in, 5 ESPN brackets and 2 yahoo brackets..I have Kansas beating Bradley only twice and UCLA moving on past the 2nd twice. I am not sold on Kansas at all...hopefully Bradley proves me right.

 

See, I'm the other way around. I fill out one bracket, and use that bracket for every pool I'm in. Filling out multiple brackets may help you win, but if it's not for money, what's the point? It takes all the skill out of it by having five different brackets in my opinion.

 

Had this discussion at work today (slow day in the stock market). One guy said he could take the time to fill out every single bracket combination possible, that way he'd be guaranteed to win. But would he really have won?

Hell, I'm in pools for money and I'm using the same one every time. I wouldn't be as proud of my 2003 bracket that had Butler in the sweet 16 and Syracuse in the title game if it had been just one of many different combinations I used.

 

And yeah I'll probably be ruined by Saturday. Oh well. 8)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

MVC schools have the best shot IMO: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State

The answer is the same as last year: Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

 

How are they going to stop Gray and Bookout with only one guy over 6-7 averaging double digit minutes?

[Andy]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

MVC schools have the best shot IMO: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State

The answer is the same as last year: Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

 

How are they going to stop Gray and Bookout with only one guy over 6-7 averaging double digit minutes?

I don't know, how'd they stop Dudley and Smith for BC last year? Doing deep analysis for things only ends up causing me to out-think myself.

[dalgreen]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

MVC schools have the best shot IMO: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State

The answer is the same as last year: Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

 

How are they going to stop Gray and Bookout with only one guy over 6-7 averaging double digit minutes?

 

I'm somewhat surprised that more people aren't riding the Bucknell bandwagon.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

MVC schools have the best shot IMO: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State

The answer is the same as last year: Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

 

How are they going to stop Gray and Bookout with only one guy over 6-7 averaging double digit minutes?

I don't know, how'd they stop Dudley and Smith for BC last year? Doing deep analysis for things only ends up causing me to out-think myself.

 

They didn't, Dudley and Smith scored 47 points. Big difference is that UW-M's offense isn't nearly as good as last year's model.

Edited March 15, 2006 by Transmogrified Tiger

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

MVC schools have the best shot IMO: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State

The answer is the same as last year: Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

 

How are they going to stop Gray and Bookout with only one guy over 6-7 averaging double digit minutes?

 

I'm somewhat surprised that more people aren't riding the Bucknell bandwagon.

 

I like them, but they don't fit your criteria(they're a 9), and playing Arkansas in Dallas is a very bad draw. Arkansas has the personnel to neutralize them, plus the home crowd is a bad combination, even before they get to the number 1 seed. In fact, I may consider putting Arkansas in the Sweet 16 now that I think of it.

[fiver]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

MVC schools have the best shot IMO: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State

 

Agreed...i have southern illinois beating iowa.

[dalgreen]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

MVC schools have the best shot IMO: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State

The answer is the same as last year: Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

 

How are they going to stop Gray and Bookout with only one guy over 6-7 averaging double digit minutes?

 

I'm somewhat surprised that more people aren't riding the Bucknell bandwagon.

 

I like them, but they don't fit your criteria(they're a 9), and playing Arkansas in Dallas is a very bad draw. Arkansas has the personnel to neutralize them, plus the home crowd is a bad combination, even before they get to the number 1 seed. In fact, I may consider putting Arkansas in the Sweet 16 now that I think of it.

 

I was speaking of Bucknell just in general terms, not as a double didit seed. By the way, Wichita St. is a seven seed. I have Arkansas beating Memphis but losing to Pitt.

[SouthSideRyan]

I rode Bucknell last year and made 18 bucks off their game with Kansas. It's tempting fate to do it twice. Same reason I can't have UW-Milwaukee beat a Florida team that I have 0 respect for.

[Flames24Rulz]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

MVC schools have the best shot IMO: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State

 

i'll agree with you there. SIU and WSU are in the Sweet 16 on most of my brackets and UNI is in the 2nd round on most of mine as well.

[Andy]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

MVC schools have the best shot IMO: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State

 

i'll agree with you there. SIU and WSU are in the Sweet 16 on most of my brackets and UNI is in the 2nd round on most of mine as well.

Billy Packer dissents. :wink:

[snoodmonger]

I could as easily see the Bruins losing to Alabama/Marquette in the second round as going to the Final 4.

 

I've filled out 10 brackets, and I have Kansas and UCLA losing in round 1 or 2 in 9 of them. My NSBB bracket has UCLA losing in the sweek 16.

 

2 real pools I'm in, 5 ESPN brackets and 2 yahoo brackets..I have Kansas beating Bradley only twice and UCLA moving on past the 2nd twice. I am not sold on Kansas at all...hopefully Bradley proves me right.

 

While I'm not looking past the Bradley game, I feel fairly certain we'll beat them.

 

They are athletic, especially for a midmajor, but the jump in athleticism is significant.

 

Also, the rely heavily on 2pt fg, shooting very few threes. KU has the #1 2pt fg defense in the nation.

 

Additionally, while they have two NBA prospects, I don't think either can take over the game. O'Bryant in particular has scored 20+ once all season.

 

Here's a pretty good breakdown of why I think KU will beat Bradley.

 

http://phogblog.com/2006/03/15/preview-kansas-vs-bradley/

[DCNashville]

So which double-digit seed will make it to the sweet 16?

 

Winthrop or Wichita State...one of the two will knock out Tennessee in round one or two.

[SouthSideRyan]

Couldn't make our auctino pool this year, so just had my friend bid a few low seed teams up to the max I set. All I wound up with was Oral Roberts for 75 cents and Winthrop for 2 bucks. I was shooting for Bradley, Murray St., and Iona as well but they went higher than the max I set. I found out later NW St. went for 75 cents which is just insanely low.

 

(For those who have no clue what I'm talking about: Every team in the tourney goes up for auction. That's what that team's loss will be worth to the team that beats them. Let's say Memphis beats Oral Roberts, the guy who owns Memphis gets 75 cents adn moves on. Should Memphis win their 2nd roudn game they win whatever the team tehy played went for, and so on until they're eliminated, where the money spent on Memphis goes to whoever beat them.

 

Last year I cleaned up on lower seeds buying Bucknell for 75 cents who beat Kansas that went for 18. I also bought UW-Milwaukee at a ridiculously high 8.75(I was the joke of the night) but made a solid 15 bucks or so on their sweet 16 run. High seeds other than UNC(31.50) killed me though, so it's probably best that I wasn't there this year.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I'm somewhat surprised that more people aren't riding the Bucknell bandwagon.

 

I was amazingly close to picking them to upset Memphis. Bucknell could be the sleeper team that Gonzaga used to be.