Can I ask what our rooting guide is for today?
March 25th, 2018 at 10:58 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:01 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:02 AM ^
Now we have to consult message boards to find out whom we need to cheer???
I'm rooting for Loyola's mascot, Gramma Tootie, to accidentally book a flight to Ulan Bator next Saturday.
March 25th, 2018 at 12:55 PM ^
You know, there's certainly no harm in the question being raised, and if you disagree with the prevailing opinion, by all means speak up, but try not to be a fuckwit in the process. Just a friendly tip.
March 25th, 2018 at 11:06 AM ^
Nova is way more than just Jalen Brunson. That team is scary good. I think they are the team Michigan wants to face the least, followed by Duke and then a toss-up of Texas Tech and Kansas. TT is tenacious on the defensive end whereas this is one of Self's worst KU teams in terms of defense (and offensive balance). KU may have more raw talent than TT but the Red Raiders have that nasty D and their one downfall (excessive fouling) isn't something Michigan is built to exploit what with their poor FT shooting.
So, either of Texas Tech or KU is the preferred opponent.
March 25th, 2018 at 11:06 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:07 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:09 AM ^
for my pools, but other than that, I don't much care.
You've got to admit that Duke-Kansas is pretty close to a Meteor Game.
March 25th, 2018 at 11:12 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:32 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 12:37 PM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:14 AM ^
Not Villanova. We do not want to play the mirror match with more talented dudes on the other side. We are at our best when there are contrasting styles and the opponent has a big who is not comfortable on the perimeter. Nova's is.
Duke's 2-3 is better than A&M, but you can see a world where we shoot them out of it (i.e. Thursday night, rather than last night) or attack it well with Matthews at the free throw line.
I fully admit I do not understand Kansas, every time I watch them they look incredibly vulnerable but then win. Bunch of shooters and a super athletic big.
Texas Tech feels like a collection of athletic dudes who run an inefficient offense but are winning. Good at defense for sure (we keep trading back #3 and #4 on Ken Pom after every game), but a team that seems to revel in passing up threes for long twos is a team I want to play.
March 25th, 2018 at 11:30 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:34 AM ^
They average 10.6 turnovers (14th nationally). They are also 14th in defense. So you're wrong.
But I was referring to style anyway.
March 25th, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:39 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:48 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:46 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 12:32 PM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
Unfinished business with Duke.
March 25th, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
But we're only on like 1 out of every 3 games.
Have to hope the random spinning wheel lands at "on" for that game if we make it.
March 25th, 2018 at 11:17 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:22 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:23 AM ^
My bracket has Michigan v Villanova in the title game. As much as I’d like to see that, I’d rather not play Villanova. I think Tx Tech would be our greatest chance at a championship.
EDIT: and that would make it three tourney games vs teams from one state, in this case Texas. I wonder if that has ever happened before? Not that it is of any significance.
March 25th, 2018 at 11:27 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:29 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 11:37 AM ^
would be a home game for them..... I'll take Kansas.
Duke and Nova too risky.
Would also be a home game for Kansas if we're being honest with ourselves. Besides Kentucky, they travel better than any basketball fanbase and it's within driving distance for the bulk of their fans, plus they have much larger alumni bases in Texas than any of the other schools besides TT obviously.
March 25th, 2018 at 11:54 AM ^
TT and KU for sure. Won't happen though. I could stomach a loss to Villanova in the NCG better than another one to Duke, even though I think Villanova is probably the best team and thus a tougher opponent. Although that's probably offset by matchup issues against Duke. So I guess in summary, Fuck Duke!
March 25th, 2018 at 11:57 AM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 12:00 PM ^
Duke would get all the calls in a NC game against us.
March 25th, 2018 at 12:10 PM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 12:12 PM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 12:12 PM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 12:18 PM ^
Villanova would be brutal with our good their offense is. And Duke is...well....they’re Duke. That program is built to win these types of games. It’s in their DNA.
March 25th, 2018 at 12:19 PM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 12:24 PM ^
with Michigan winning, yes largely based on heart. Would not be surprised to see Duke there. Sister Jean will pray for well officiated semi final with nobody getting hurt I'm sure we are all for that. Loyola is a great story, but I think college basketball needs more Coaches like Coach Beilein and if the team manages to play nearly as well as they did vs. A & M, they can do it. So much growth, so much chemistry, so much defense and improved rebounding. Been amazing to watch. Beating highly touted MSU twice without a home game speaks volumes for how this team can get up for big games.
March 25th, 2018 at 12:26 PM ^
Anyone but 'Nova. It'll probably be 'Nova, which is why I'd rather play anyone else.
March 25th, 2018 at 12:30 PM ^
I only root for Duke when they play the Michigan Agricultural College.
March 25th, 2018 at 12:54 PM ^
March 25th, 2018 at 12:57 PM ^
Then Michigan and Texas Tech face off in the finals. That way I win my bracket pool no matter who wins the finals
Me too.