I REALLY hope this happens considering OSU has already beaten 3 teams (Florida, Duke, Indiana) mentioned in their bracket region. It seems to good to be true though.
I think we deserve to be in the last #3/first #4 area, imo. Those early wins could very well keep us at a #2 though, but this is nowhere near the same team that they were back then. They look entitled.
Crowded elevators smell different to short people...
Quote: I think we deserve to be in the last #3/first #4 area, imo. Those early wins could very well keep us at a #2 though, but this is nowhere near the same team that they were back then. They look entitled.
I think teams just figured out that they can bully Sullinger in the post and he hasn't figured out how to combat it. That along with the few 3pt shooters we have being in a month long funk have undermined our offense.
If we beat Sparty (not holding my breath) and make the Finals of the Big10 tourney (again, not turning purple over it), then we maybe get a 2seed. But, if we lose on Sunday and then before the Finals, I don't see how we end up with better than a 4seed. The selection committee does weight the latest results more than early season ones.
I think at worst we get a 3. We've been mentioned 1-2 all year long. Outside of Illinois, we have no bad losses. If we manage to win out, I believe there is an outside chance of getting a 1 seed. Not very likely, but stranger things have happened. I would love to get in a bracket with carolina and duke. I've said that all year long. Both teams are soft, and play shabby defense. We match up great with them 2.
Quote: Uconn is an awful team right now. If it was not for the bubble being expanded and weaker, I would not have them in.
We just won, got Calhoun back too (which is a big plus).
I think we'll make the tourney. Our SOS was very good and so our RPI has us as like 33 (before playing Pitt)
Bob Knight was on Mike and Mike and he said that all that matters is getting into the NCAA tourney, your ranking is pretty insignificant once you're in.
That's my main issue with the NCAA tournament (I mean, if UConn won the title this year, how can I say we deserve to be the champs?) All you're playing for in the regular season is getting into the tournament and developing the chemistry for it.
So yeah, especially if we win our 1st Big East Tourney Game, I think we'll get into the Big Dance. And I'm praying it all works out because two years without the tournament will be pretty depressing for me, and it'll really hurt the prestige of the program (and I think Calhoun is probably retiring this year; without the possibility of playing tournament next year, he can't be as motivated to coach again next year)
Quote: I hope he does to. I just feel like he would turn UCLA into a dominating force again if he was able to get the type of talent they do.
Why coach in the Pac 10 (or 12 or whatever) against teams that aren't that competitive. He should come to the Big East and face the best top to bottom conference competition in basketball.
He can coach a team that's very relevant over the past decade, vs UCLA (no NCAA Championship since Ed OBannon I think?)
Calhoun will probably leave the Huskies after this season is over, I'd love Brad Stevens to come in and coach UConn
Why coach in the Pac 10 (or 12 or whatever) against teams that aren't that competitive.
So UCLA could be like Kentucky and just own everyone in their conference.
Yeah, I guess that's a good point. Although the SEC has Florida, which isn't a bad basketball school.
I've always wanted Steven to replace Calhoun; doubt it'll happen, but otherwise I'd like Kevin Ollie to coach the team.
I'm just very nervous about what's going to happen with us not getting to play post-season next year and probably getting a new coach. I imagine Lamb and Drummond will both leave for the NBA.
Ryan Boatwright could probably transfer to any school he wants. There's another top recruit (DeAndre Daniels), who I could see transferring too. Plenty of schools would like him, and he'll definitely be improved, big time next year. I do think Napier would stay no matter what.
Either way, I'm just afraid of a Perfect Storm of sorts which leaves the UConn Basketball Program in shambles. Especially if we choose a coach outside of Kevin Ollie. Our new AD is from Univ. of Buffalo (which doesn't make me happy either).
So I'm very nervous. This tourney is important, could be a last hoorah of sorts.
But I'm just hoping we get into the tourney with something like a 10 or 11 seed. I'd prefer to be on the side of the bracket with a number 2 seed (leaving no possibility of playing a #1 until elite 8).
Our bet's still on Candyman. Conn has the talent and our coach back. I feel bad for whoever plays us in the first round because we'll be prepared, and we're a lot better than where we'll be seated
Haven't watched them this year, but from the posts i've seen on this thread, that seems to be the case.
Where as your Wild Kittens look to be the team to beat...... May be we'll meet in the tournament. We have won two in a row on the felines out of Kentucky.
this is by far matta's worst coaching job. We have potentially 3 pros on the team. yet matta failed to build anything around them. you can"t tell me michigan state has more talent. izzo just has built a better overall team.
This is Mattas worst job in terms of coaching. He has been too soft and stubborn too bench guys. So far he has screwed up taking Shannon Scott over Trey Burke. He is only beating teams that he has a significant talent advantage over.
at least sully at the end made the right plays, and passed, and didn't jack up wild shots. Just shows how much potential this team has when they play together. Our season has always been based on how well buford plays. when he is on, we could beat anyone. The guy is just an enigma to me. So much damn talent.
Quote: Our season has always been based on how well buford plays. when he is on, we could beat anyone. The guy is just an enigma to me. So much damn talent.
This + 10000000000000
Guys has incredible talent, hopefully this helps him mentally.
What a second half - i do have to say that this is probably their most impressive game of the year, to be able to come back and get a win against a very good team... still don't think they will go too far this year, still too much inconsistency
Quote: What a second half - i do have to say that this is probably their most impressive game of the year, to be able to come back and get a win against a very good team... still don't think they will go too far this year, still too much inconsistency
I have to give them props for showing a champions resiliency 2 games in a row though. They could have folded in both games.
I can say, for the first time in my life, that I thoroughly enjoyed OSU winning a game.
Props to them. They looked dead in the water for much of the game and some how dug deep and gutted that win out.
I wasn't even sure if they were going to get a shot off and then Bufford just drilled that pull-up jumper.
Big Ten Tournament should be fun. If OSU, MSU and UM all take care of business, it's likely all get a 3 seed or higher. Could be a fun March for the conference.
yea, if michigan wins the tourney, they will get a 2. I think if michigan state, and ohio state get a win or two, they're pretty much locks for 2's as well. Damn good year for big 10 basketball.
Congrats to you as well Nas on the big ten championship... all three teams have looked really good at times this year... as you said it should make the tourney interesting... I honestly have no idea who will end up winning the tourney championship...
I think I know what Bufords problem is sometimes. Buford is an emotional guy and he gets frustrated with himself. He thinks too much when he misses. I mean how else does a guy miss open looks and nail shots like this with a guys hand in his face? I've seen him nail Kobe Bryant type of pure ridiculous shots.
Trust me.. I don't get Buford either. It's frustrating to me.. after he made that last shot, I saw him look over to the students at courtside and just grin at them. It's like he has a killer instinct but it comes and goes. I never know which Buford I'm gonna have on the court.
Quote: not to mention the one a little earlier (deep 3 from the right elbow)
it's just so strang how "off" he was for the whole month of February. but, it's March now, so maybe that is out of his system?
Fingers crossed.
I don't have a lot of faith in the guy though. I thought he was horrible last year in that game with Kentucky. He wasn't the only one, but he just took some horrible shots. It was a Larry Hughes-esque game.
Hopefully, that shot can get the small monkey off his back. The guy is obviously capable of being pretty good.
I haven't watched every single OSU game this year but I have watched my share, and I have a feeling come tournament time, teams are going to force Craft to shoot more (kind of like the Rondo treatment)
I have more faith in Thomas and Buford, than I do in Sullinger. It was amazing to see this guy struggle so much against derrick nix. You put any big body on Jared, and he will struggle. He just has no lift in his game. I think he could help this team, by just passing like he did at the end of yesterday's game.
I am just hoping we don't get in the same bracket as Kentucky or Syracuse. I am ok with us being paired with Kansas or North Carolina. I'm guessing they will play the first 2 rounds in Pittsburgh or Louisville. I have next week off for my vacation. I will go watch them play if that's where they are put. Nothing like attending some march madness.