College Basketball 2016-2017

[homer]

I'd say Wisconsin has a decent chance to win it this year. Their half of the bracket is incredibly easy at this point(all things considered). The other side is a bit tougher, but you won't see that until the championship game and at that point it's the flip of a coin.

 

Agreed. Strange things can happen in a lose and go home tournament and UW has struggled on either offense or defense at various times this year but they have a legit shot.

[owbc]

Florida is going to be a tough matchup. The Badgers are slight underdogs but it is certainly a winnable game. I'm not as optimistic as others--I correctly called this game in my bracket and I have Florida winning.

[homer]

I think the key will be Hayes and Happ. Florida's only "weakness" on D is giving up offensive rebounds. So getting the ball inside and converting second chances is going to be key. Florida does a really good job preventing three attempts which might take Bronson out of the equation or at least limit him. I like UW on defense though. Florida plays fast and they might have trouble playing a slower pace.

[rwa12]

I like Wisconsin's D if Showalter and Happ aren't in foul trouble in the first minute. I think BK will get his 3's, he rarely gets an open look as is, he does well contested, reminds me of JR Smith. I think Vitto will be important, if he can hit 2-3 timely threes, that really makes a difference. I think Iverson is going to get some run, because they'll need his athleticism. I feel Florida is the hurdle at this point. The two teams at the bottom aren't that scary to me.

[bjkrautk]

Happ (and Hayes) staying out of foul trouble is important for the Badgers on Friday; it becomes much harder to limit 3-point attempts when forced to double-team the post.

[brewcrewdue80]

Anyone else find it weird how these two teams were essentially the first games last Sat. And will now be the last or next to on Friday? Whereas some teams who played Sun will be playing today?

[pacopete4]

Anyone else find it weird how these two teams were essentially the first games last Sat. And will now be the last or next to on Friday? Whereas some teams who played Sun will be playing today?

 

 

I think too much is made out of this. Same goes for the B10 championship game being on a Sun afternoon and then playing in the opening round on a Thursday. That is three days of rest which is more than plenty for these guys.

[brwrsfan]

Three days of rest, yes. But you also have to factor in flights. Badgers were in Buffalo, I assume they flew home. Then had to turn around and fly back out to NYC. Granted, the Badgers got essentially a week off so they should be well rested. But if you had to play Sunday like the B10 tournament, then fly home then back out for a Thursday game. That really isn't a ton of rest. Everyone reacts differently to plane rides, changing time zones, etc.

 

It's all about TV though in this round. We have the last game because that's the "marquee" matchup in that region. it would have certainly been Duke if they had made it there.

[MrTPlush]

Michigan loses by 1 and attempted a three point shot with everyone on the perimeter. I just will never understand teams doing this. Always leads to a horrible contested shots. Get the ball into the paint fast, try for a two, maybe get a rebound for a second shot, and possibly if you miss foul to still have another shot.

[LouisEly]

Michigan loses by 1 and attempted a three point shot with everyone on the perimeter. I just will never understand teams doing this. Always leads to a horrible contested shots. Get the ball into the paint fast, try for a two, maybe get a rebound for a second shot, and possibly if you miss foul to still have another shot.

Oregon had two fouls to give - if they tried to get it down low they would have fouled on the pass and Michigan wouldn't have been able to get a shot off. I'm surprised that Oregon let them get that close to the 3-point line without fouling.

[DHonks]

If Baylor wins, then I see Wisconsin giving them a great game. If South Carolina wins, then I see the Gamecocks in the Final Four. Their Offense and Defense are better than Wisconsin's. Seeing those 2nd half comebacks against Marquette and Duke has me in awe.

[MrTPlush]

Michigan loses by 1 and attempted a three point shot with everyone on the perimeter. I just will never understand teams doing this. Always leads to a horrible contested shots. Get the ball into the paint fast, try for a two, maybe get a rebound for a second shot, and possibly if you miss foul to still have another shot.

Oregon had two fouls to give - if they tried to get it down low they would have fouled on the pass and Michigan wouldn't have been able to get a shot off. I'm surprised that Oregon let them get that close to the 3-point line without fouling.

 

That's fine they had 12 seconds or so. I'm not saying pass it inside to someone standing there. Drive it inside where you can throw it up if they go to foul you.

 

If you are far away from the basket fouling is fine, but once you get close to the three point line any attempt to foul can be risky. If they pull up as you are about to foul and do a shooting motion you are in big trouble.

[homer]

Good lord what an ugly last possession for WVU. Hero ball to the extreme.

[MrTPlush]

Good lord what an ugly last possession for WVU. Hero ball to the extreme.

 

Every year I fill out my bracket saying this is WVU year. Being a fan of a BIG12 team I always think their style of play and talent will finally pay off. However this year they just haven't been a good team at the end of games and it kind of showed today.

[young guns]

I really enjoyed both of the early games, though somewhat dampened by michigan losing(rooting for the big ten) and wv's last possesion. I hate when a game ends like that, unless the badgers areon the winning end of course.

[DHonks]

Would have been a good night in Vegas. Two games that seemed the most favorable were Kansas to cover and Xavier to cover. Would have lost with the Bulldogs. Wouldn't have done anything on Michigan-Oregon game...hate Big Ten and hate Pac-12.

[RobDeer 45]

I'm so tired staying up to watch that Xavier game but it was worth it.

 

Come on Badgers, get another win tonight!!!!!

[patrickgpe]

the Gonzaga - West Virginia was probably the best game of the tournament so far last night. should be another great evening of basketball, really looking forward to all 4 games.

 

By the way, i am super impressed with Chris Webber as a commentator. When i saw he was working with BA, i scoffed but i thought he did a really good job last night.

[fondybrewfan]

If Baylor wins, then I see Wisconsin giving them a great game. If South Carolina wins, then I see the Gamecocks in the Final Four. Their Offense and Defense are better than Wisconsin's. Seeing those 2nd half comebacks against Marquette and Duke has me in awe.

 

They were also essentially playing at home and made a much higher % of their shots than they have all year. They are just a case of a team that got hot for a weekend. I still would like UW's chances of winning that game.

 

UW has about the easiest route to a National Championship game that I can remember having to potentially only beat Florida, Baylor/South Carolina, and Gonzaga/Xavier. Not saying it will happen but the opportunity is staring them in the face.

[tmwiese55]

Yea our 2015 could probably rest players until the championship game with this competition. obviously joking, but compare to that year when we had to go through UNC, AZ, Kentucky, then Duke.

[fondybrewfan]

Ah don't remind me of 2015. If we had that team this year, or really any other year besides 2015, they would win the NC. That team has to be one of the best teams ever to not win a championship. Fell 5 stupid points short primarily due the freshman tripper having the game of his life to that point.

[Outlander]

I tend to agree with Fondy, I expect Baylor to take care of South Carolina fairly easily. However, I like Florida more than most and think they beat Wisconsin and make a run at the national title.

[tmwiese55]

Fondy, totally agree. It's probably one of the best teams ever but will be forgotten because they didn't win it. Probably would have won easily last year too. Somewhere yesterday I was reading something and it included a still frame of the 2014 year where Harrison made that winner in the FF vs us showing how far back it was. That reminder hurt too, seriously could've won b2b assuming of course Frank didn't go pro. Also, a little forgotten thing is that if Brust would have redshirted his freshman year where he played like 15 total mins he'd have still been there for 2015, who knows how that changes things for the season/bracket but it would've made the team better for sure.

 

I also expect Baylor to cruise. Weird thing is of our next 3 potential games, I think we have our worst chance tonight. I would be more confident vs Baylor/SC and Zags/X than I am vs FL.

[bjkrautk]

By the way, i am super impressed with Chris Webber as a commentator. When i saw he was working with BA, i scoffed but i thought he did a really good job last night.

 

Agreed. When he was talking about the flex offense, and how other NBA / college teams run variations on it....I really wanted C-Web to have more time to explain the concepts and the play. As someone whose basketball IQ is highly correlated to broadcast TV, most color guys don't even try explaining things the way he tried to. Get that man a telestrator!

[homer]

Ah don't remind me of 2015. If we had that team this year, or really any other year besides 2015, they would win the NC. That team has to be one of the best teams ever to not win a championship. Fell 5 stupid points short primarily due the freshman tripper having the game of his life to that point.

 

Most efficient offense in the Ken Pomeroy era (since 2002) by FAR. Odd thing about the Duke game is that UW played their worst game on offense of the tournament that day. They were just pretty good instead of sublime. Defense played about the same as it had the whole tourney.