Final Four
- Thread starter GeorgeStrait IU
- Start date
I really feel Nova’s guard that went down makes them the underdog even though UNC is a 8/9.
Kansas would be my pick...though I think any of them could easily win it.
Villanova would have been my choice, I think, just because of how efficient they are, how physical they are, Jay Wright has been here recently and knows how to navigate the Final Four...but they lost a key player in Moore. And I worry with their style, that losing one of their main shot makers will hurt them quite a bit.
Kansas is top 20 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They have 3 very, very capable perimeter shooters and playmakers in Obaji, Braun, and Martin. And they have some good size. If they get by Nova, they'll be able to match up with either Duke/UNC talent, skill, size wise.
Duke...they're pretty obviously the most talented, and probably the best offensive team remaining. But their adjusted D ranking of 45th...means they're more susceptible to giving up runs and key shots, than the other teams are. Especially since all 3 of the other teams are top 20 in adjusted offense. Either UNC or Kansas/Nova will exploit their defense more than they'll be able to return the favor.
UNC...they were an 8 seed coming into the tournament for a reason. Obviously they're playing well above that seeding now, but you can't erase the uneven performances they had all year. And like Duke, their defense hasn't been as dominant as whoever they'd play in the final. With Williams inside, Duke presents a more difficult challenge for Bakot than he's faced thus far. And you gotta think one of Duke's perimeter guys like Keeling or Moore, will accept the challenge of dogging Love all game. Same story for whoever theyd play in the finals, on top of those teams having systemic defenses that are just better than what theyve seen in a long time.
Kansas
Duke
Villanova
UNC
That's the order I'd put them in...
Villanova would have been my choice, I think, just because of how efficient they are, how physical they are, Jay Wright has been here recently and knows how to navigate the Final Four...but they lost a key player in Moore. And I worry with their style, that losing one of their main shot makers will hurt them quite a bit.
Kansas is top 20 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They have 3 very, very capable perimeter shooters and playmakers in Obaji, Braun, and Martin. And they have some good size. If they get by Nova, they'll be able to match up with either Duke/UNC talent, skill, size wise.
Duke...they're pretty obviously the most talented, and probably the best offensive team remaining. But their adjusted D ranking of 45th...means they're more susceptible to giving up runs and key shots, than the other teams are. Especially since all 3 of the other teams are top 20 in adjusted offense. Either UNC or Kansas/Nova will exploit their defense more than they'll be able to return the favor.
UNC...they were an 8 seed coming into the tournament for a reason. Obviously they're playing well above that seeding now, but you can't erase the uneven performances they had all year. And like Duke, their defense hasn't been as dominant as whoever they'd play in the final. With Williams inside, Duke presents a more difficult challenge for Bakot than he's faced thus far. And you gotta think one of Duke's perimeter guys like Keeling or Moore, will accept the challenge of dogging Love all game. Same story for whoever theyd play in the finals, on top of those teams having systemic defenses that are just better than what theyve seen in a long time.
Kansas
Duke
Villanova
UNC
That's the order I'd put them in...
It's the coach K victory tour. The fix is in just like Mannings last year in Denver
UNC plays Duke on Saturday; Final will be UNC or Duke vs. Nova or Kansas
Yikes, I haven't even looked at a bracket after mine collapsed and thought I read they might meet in the final. I'll be a UNC fan on Saturday.
I can stomach UNC or Nova, hate Duke and KU. I think it could be Nova smashes KU unexpectedly and UNC escapes Duke, but then UNC smashes Nova. God I wish I had money to put on this year, but home improvements call. I wish it could be Nova, but I just don't see it with injury to major contributor
I’m going with Duke, although I think Kansas is the best team. This coach K last year stuff reminds me of Jerry Yeagleys last year with IU soccer in 2003. That squad had a lot of ups and downs and was far from Jerry’s best team, but they just pulled together and rode the emotion to the title. Coincidentally, that was Jerry’s 6th title-the same number K would end up with.
Nope, its UNC, eye test man, when they're on, and they will be against Duke, they are the best team left, I don't care what they are seeded
Villanova would be the team I would root for if picking based on the program and how they do things.
however, if I am choosing based on coaching legacies, I can’t root for them.
national championships by coach:
Wooden 10
K. 5
Rupp. 4
Knight. 3
Calhoun 3
Roy Williams 3
With 3 final fours including 2 titles (and a chance for #3), Jay Wright would reach rarified air if they cut down the nets on Monday. He’s a likable guy, and their program is likable as well, but I can’t root for that to happen.
Winning a national title is normally very difficult. Dean Smith has 2. Boheim has 1. Those coaches won a ton of games. Self has 1. Even looking at schools Kansas won 1 in 1988 then didn’t win another for 30 years in 2008, and that was their last. I am guessing g that they were a 1 or 2 seed (and conference winner) in almost all of those years.
however, if I am choosing based on coaching legacies, I can’t root for them.
national championships by coach:
Wooden 10
K. 5
Rupp. 4
Knight. 3
Calhoun 3
Roy Williams 3
With 3 final fours including 2 titles (and a chance for #3), Jay Wright would reach rarified air if they cut down the nets on Monday. He’s a likable guy, and their program is likable as well, but I can’t root for that to happen.
Winning a national title is normally very difficult. Dean Smith has 2. Boheim has 1. Those coaches won a ton of games. Self has 1. Even looking at schools Kansas won 1 in 1988 then didn’t win another for 30 years in 2008, and that was their last. I am guessing g that they were a 1 or 2 seed (and conference winner) in almost all of those years.
All would be right in my universe if they could do that, but I'm a realist sometimes, and eye test is UNC, their guard Love is like MJ in college, you know, if he's on nobody beating themVillanova would be the team I would root for if picking based on the program and how they do things.
however, if I am choosing based on coaching legacies, I can’t root for them.
national championships by coach:
Wooden 10
K. 5
Rupp. 4
Knight. 3
Calhoun 3
Roy Williams 3
With 3 final fours including 2 titles (and a chance for #3), Jay Wright would reach rarified air if they cut down the nets on Monday. He’s a likable guy, and their program is likable as well, but I can’t root for that to happen.
Winning a national title is normally very difficult. Dean Smith has 2. Boheim has 1. Those coaches won a ton of games. Self has 1. Even looking at schools Kansas won 1 in 1988 then didn’t win another for 30 years in 2008, and that was their last. I am guessing g that they were a 1 or 2 seed (and conference winner) in almost all of those years.
I've watched a pretty fair amount of UNC this year living in NC/SC and dating a Heel, and I said early on I thought they were pretty good and much better than their fans seemed to think, but they really laid some eggs early. I think their problem is depth. They have a great starting 5, but not much after that. I think they'll be in real trouble (to the tune of giving up a 25 pt lead vs Baylor!) if they were to lose Manek, Davis, Bacot or Love. Only Bacot has a backup who regularly sees any time. Love, as great as he's been, is also boom or bust. He seems to either score 25 or 5... both on 12-14 shots.
Love is not like MJ. Too up and down. MJ was steady and brought it every game and every half. Love can disappear or even hurt them when he's off. Look at his last games... 21 or 22 I think in the first half vs Marquette and similar vs St Peters I think. When he's on, he's really good and approaching MJ in college, but he's not on or disappears more frequently than you'd guess for the output he's had recently.
I think he will be on, he's as good as it gets, worry whatever, but they are the best team left when they are on. I'm not a fan, wish Nova could do it, but my eyes don't lie, you know, unless I don't have my glasses
Well, I'll agree as long as they are on. I'm just saying they've gotten themselves off quite a bit this year, and someone can push them off if they can take out one of their key folks. As good as Bacot is, and he's been their MVP imo this year, I think either Manek or Davis are the keys and if they get put on the bench for any reason, I think they'll struggle.
PS, I'd also press them every time Davis goes to the bench. They are loose with the ball and make bad decisions a lot, aside from him.
He's close, in college. The point is that even if he's up and down, he can take over the entire game at any time, and he's the only guy left in the tourney that can do that, put your money in the right place, I wish I could this year because it is so obvious, but I can't this year, home stuff, can't afford to gamble, but I wish I could, I don't think that kid is getting stopped and I think he's on
Duke has a few that can take over a game. Roach did it a couple games ago. Banchero is basically unstoppable when he decides to be aggressive. Moore has flashes. Keels has single handedly won a few games this year.
Kansas has a couple that can do that. Obaji, Remy Martin, even Braun...all have had explosive games/stretches this year where they were unstoppable.
Villanova is built so they don't ever need someone to do that. But depending on the matchups, Samuels could take over a game if needed.
Love is explosive. We've seen in the last few games what he's capable of. But he's also streaky. And Duke has had a week to prepare for him. I wouldn't be so sure if I were you.
Yes it is I have no doubt Duke will win and Vitale will be doing a victory dance like nobody have ever seen.
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