There were jokes that the committee accidentally switched UofL and Memphis seed line because that's the only thing that made sense.
NCAAT Discussion Thread
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Looks like the ratings were strong. I would imagine the next few rounds will do big numbers as well.
The Cinderella is fun, but the big names are what drives revenue.
The Cinderella is fun, but the big names are what drives revenue.
I agree that Louisville was under seeded. Most of these insane metrics plus the AP ranking should've been at least a 4, maybe 3. Creighton was a match up proble. And when they went unconscious from 3.. well...there ya go.
Auburn was a flip side...they lost 3 of their last 4 games after chewing Kentucky up at Rupp...and I had wondered if they had played themselves down to a 2 seed.
The committee seemed to use some kind of strange flip flop between NET and AP rankings. I'm not sure exactly what they did.
I had really anticipated Kentucky being a 4 or high 5 due to the way they got boat raced by Alabama and that litany of injuries. Glad they got the 3. I've seen it work otherwise for sure.
Auburn was a flip side...they lost 3 of their last 4 games after chewing Kentucky up at Rupp...and I had wondered if they had played themselves down to a 2 seed.
The committee seemed to use some kind of strange flip flop between NET and AP rankings. I'm not sure exactly what they did.
I had really anticipated Kentucky being a 4 or high 5 due to the way they got boat raced by Alabama and that litany of injuries. Glad they got the 3. I've seen it work otherwise for sure.
The teams at the upper end of the SEC are terrific offensively. They operate incredibly fast and efficient. In building a roster the only way to slow offense like this down is to switch everything. Then deal with the results. Auburn is the only one that has a big that is a killer inside. Make them earn it down low. Then force the guards to drive try to force contested 2’s.
It's as obvious as it looks. Great passing leading to great looks outside the 3 point line. Constant motion, constant screening with great catch and shoot guys like we saw last night.
That was some high octane offense in all those games. And yes,beat me with 2's instead of 3's
That was some high octane offense in all those games. And yes,beat me with 2's instead of 3's
Good take. I think this is also what makes this particular Duke team so tough. You can hang with them for a while but they eventually wear you down. I actually enjoy watching Duke BB for the 1st time in 40 years. A gritty team and not just a bunch of pretty boys as usual. They play Big Boy BB IMO.
On a positive note - I stayed up late enough to watch The Squid let another one slip through his tentacles last night. For once it wasn't FT shooting that tripped them up, just poor performance from him. Arky is a load and should have won. Texas Tech is a gritty bunch.
i'm in the conspiracy camp that says tourney is rigged for Duke to make the Finals.
I saw them wear down our team twice, a team that rarely wore down. They get into you defensively and make you work for everything.
Duke is the best that I have seen defensively. I am picking Duke over Alabama primarily based on the significant size advantage at every single position, which allows the Blue Devils to switch on the screens and extend their defensive length to the Tide’s primary 3 point shooters.
An amazing statistic about Duke; they do not have anyone on their roster shorter than 6’5”. Sears and Holloway are 6’1” and 6’2” respectively, and in a lot of instances they will be trying to shoot over long 6’9” to 7’1” athletes. Alabama relies on the 3 more than any team in the country, and I cannot envision them getting 18 threes against Duke.
An amazing statistic about Duke; they do not have anyone on their roster shorter than 6’5”. Sears and Holloway are 6’1” and 6’2” respectively, and in a lot of instances they will be trying to shoot over long 6’9” to 7’1” athletes. Alabama relies on the 3 more than any team in the country, and I cannot envision them getting 18 threes against Duke.
They don’t have a significant size advantage at every position. Alabama is actually bigger at the 3 and 4. They also aren’t reliant on the 3PTer. #3 nationally in 2PT%
Quick correction; Duke has one player listed at 5’8” tall; does not play but he is on the roster and I need to correct my post.
A totally disagree with this, but I've been wrong before.
I think what you're missing is the Titanic difference in the teams being tested. Duke gave up 93 points to Arizona and it took Flagg 30 points to win. That's the best team they have faced in over 3 months. The adversity has been slim for the Dookies.
Alabama on the other hand, you know who they have been playing? Auburn. Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ole Miss.
All five still playing.
UK's last loss was by 30 points to Alabama and UK is not a small team.
For me, Alabama is going to go straight at Duke and make them try to keep up. Duke will be making the more adjustments in this game, but unless Alabama suddenly goes cold, I see the Tide moving on.
Tenn just locked UK up it looked like what they did to Louisville. I trust them more than Houston.
The SEC top teams are stupid good. It could be an all SEC Final Four. I think it will end up that way. Duke is the one team built to handle the different styles. Every top team hit with their portal and freshman.
Next year will be interesting.
The SEC top teams are stupid good. It could be an all SEC Final Four. I think it will end up that way. Duke is the one team built to handle the different styles. Every top team hit with their portal and freshman.
Next year will be interesting.
Just to be clear, using UK as a point of reference would be a mistake, evidenced by their performance last night where they lost to a team that only shot 26% from 3. Despite their height advantage, the Cats were out-rebounded by 10. Tennessee is a good team, but not to be confused by either of the #1 seeds.
My confidence in Duke defensively is not just their height and length, but the combination of athleticism that makes shooting the 3 a lot more challenging. Make no mistake, I appreciate Alabama is very good, and I have been consistent in acknowledging that Auburn, Alabama and Florida were each capable of winning the NC, but discounting Duke’s superior talent because of the less than challenging competition in the ACC is a mistake. Those true freshman have improved significantly over this year.
Not a mistake, just an opinion. I don't see this superior talent of Duke. Alabama has as much and they have plenty of size themselves. Only Sears and Holloway are sleight but they are fast as they are great shooters.
Remember 2013 with Siva and Smith? I remember experts saying the same thing about Louisville against Duke that tournament.
I think any mistake is those who throw out Alabama's schedule and how playing all those great teams has prepared them for right now. They are playing their best basketball.
Duke, on the other hand has mostly had it easy. The Arizona game should be a big red flag for Duke fans because Arizona is no Alabama. Now I'm not saying Duke can't win. They may be the best team, but this notion they are some super all time team is frankly, silly.
Alabama also has a lot more tournament experience. Most all of their rotation went to the final four just last year. They're not Duke level talented, but it's not a big gap at all. Older and more battle tested.
This Bama team will be the first big time test Duke has faced since Auburn on December 4th.
Think about it, Duke hasn't played a true title contender since December 4th, whereas Alabama in that time has played Auburn twice, Florida twice, and Tennessee all since February 15th. Not to mention playing teams like Ole Miss, Kentucky(twice), and Arkansas who all made the Sweet 16.
Alabama has played in big games and they've won big games. Duke's guys are young and haven't played a team like this that can win a title in a high leverage moment. That's where I see the difference.
That's why in 2013 I felt no worries. Our entire rotation just came off a Final Four run. We were older. We played in the tough Big East. Once March came, you could tell we were ready for those moments.
Anybody but the sec.
I would make a small wager that IF it’s an “all sec” FF or even Final the ratings will not set any records, and will be lower than past.
It’s been seen several times this year already
I would make a small wager that IF it’s an “all sec” FF or even Final the ratings will not set any records, and will be lower than past.
It’s been seen several times this year already
I agree nobody wants to watch an all SEC Final Four just like they wouldn’t want to watch an all ACC or an all B1G FF.
I hate them.
I’d be fine with Sampson winning it all. Honestly, Bruce Pearl winning one seems right too. He’s one of the best coaches to do it and all that’s missing is a title.
Pearl would be a big eff U to a lot of people/associations.
Anybody but the $EC. Go Houston
I agree anybody but the SEC I hate them more then any ACC team. I think it would be hilarious if a team outside the SEC wins it after they had 14 teams in it.
Well, Duke played UofL twice this year and was down at the half both times. Pretty good competition!
Duke doing a great job on Sears, but it's their offense that has been the difference. Alabama is great at a lot of things, but a defense that takes away a great offense is not one of them.
Texas Tech is that and they did it against Florida until the very end. Alabama was always going to have to outscore Duke and that's is what has been taken away with Sears taking just three shots.
Texas Tech is that and they did it against Florida until the very end. Alabama was always going to have to outscore Duke and that's is what has been taken away with Sears taking just three shots.
This game shows how these top coaches on these top teams need to have a change-up on defense when it's clear that can't stop a teams offense.
Duke has lobbed over and over with dunk after dunk so much, James Scott would be proud. Flagg is not beating Alabama, it's the pick in roll that's killing them.
Who thinks Rick Pitino would try a matchup zone? Do something to change what Duke is doing. Now if you don't practice it all year then you can't do it in the elite 8.
I said a few times this season that apparently Coach Kelsey must not practice any zone defense because a few times I felt the Cards could use a change-up on defense.
I liked how Pitino employed the full court press sometimes, and also the match up zone to go along with the tough man to man. I guess for most coaches, it's asking too much for the players to master? Alabama could of used some form of change on defense tonight, because Duke had them figured out from the outset.
Duke has lobbed over and over with dunk after dunk so much, James Scott would be proud. Flagg is not beating Alabama, it's the pick in roll that's killing them.
Who thinks Rick Pitino would try a matchup zone? Do something to change what Duke is doing. Now if you don't practice it all year then you can't do it in the elite 8.
I said a few times this season that apparently Coach Kelsey must not practice any zone defense because a few times I felt the Cards could use a change-up on defense.
I liked how Pitino employed the full court press sometimes, and also the match up zone to go along with the tough man to man. I guess for most coaches, it's asking too much for the players to master? Alabama could of used some form of change on defense tonight, because Duke had them figured out from the outset.
Florida made it and escaped by their chinny chin chin. Duke is holding for you on line 2. Izzo has you on speed dial & Sampson plans to TEXT you, of course!
I would say Duke exposed Alabama. Seems to me that an injured Louisville squad played them better.
I disagree; Dukes length on defense did exactly as i predicted; completely eliminated Alabama from getting those 3s that led to their 90+point average in this tournament. was the difference.
The actual advantage that Duke had in height, length and athleticism over Alabama played out well beyond the statistical data, evidenced by witnessing Duke’s size dominating the Tide both inside and on the perimeter. The 41-30 rebound advantage and Alabama’s 25% 3-point shooting explains their 65 point game production.
For at least some of us who witnessed Duke firsthand wins over UL (the two losses this season), we appreciate just how much this young and talented Blue Devil team improved over the course of the season.
The SEC deserved a great deal of the respect they received this entire season, but it was came at the expense of the BIG10, the BIG12 and to some degree, the rest of the conferences that were deprived of additional consideration. The media hype, particularly ESPN were largely responsible for the SEC getting 14 teams invited to this tournament; couple that with being rewarded with the most favorable seeding possible, it should come as no surprise to anyone that Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama would emerge so deep into this Tournament.
I did say could not would. Duke didn’t surprise me in the least they are legit great on defense. Shutting down that Alabama team is impressive.
Florida still won and they won because they have a dude that makes big shots. I think Texas Tech has a great coach. I thought Florida size would have been a bigger factor. They were and still are my pick to win it all.
Today’s game I think Auburn wins and maybe by double digits. They just have more dudes.
Houston and TN will be a rock fight no clue who wins. Sampson is a hell of coach.
I really don’t care about conference affiliation the some of the top teams just happen to be in SEC. The interesting thing is Duke is now in a conference that mirrors the old SEC. Duke is really good in a weak conference. Conference doesn’t matter if you have dudes.
Don’t do that because then you’ll invite Kentucky fans to say that they beat them
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