I don't mind to play Duke. I'm not slighting those other teams, rather pointing out that I think we would get a fair shake. If you look at Lunardis current bracket we are in there with UK as a 1 and Duke as a 2. Theres a zero point zero chance that the NCAA wouldn't do everything they could to make that matchup happen. If we are in there with one blue blood I'm good, not with 2 of them destined for a meeting. That's the only reason why I'd rather be in there with Zags of Uva, not because they would be easy wins. At this point, I'm hoping for a 2 seed just because it will put us in there against one blue blood, not 2 most likely
Virginia is the best team in the country and the one you'd most like to avoid and yet... they've lost twice to the team that doesn't worry you (Duke)?
Consider me in the "hope we avoid Duke" crowd. *If* things click with them, given the talent they have and the coaching/ref assistance, they are going to be a very, very tough out in the tourney. Likely far tougher than UMBC, errr.... I mean... Virginia (or Gonzaga, or probably anyone else).
Guy acts like Williamson wouldn’t absolutely own our 5s on the boards like a way lesser talented Tillman just did less than a week ago
I didn't say Duke didn't worry me, I said I think Virginia worries me more. And Duke beat Virginia by 2 at home, and had the flukiest shooting night in the entire season, by somehow shooting literally double their season percentage in the second game. They shot 65%.
March 15th, 2019 at 10:02 PM ^
So you're saying when Duke plays well, there's nobody in the country that can beat them? I totally agree, and that's why they would worry me more than UVA.
I'm sorta joking with you, I understand there's more nuance to your argument (such as matchups, pace, etc...). However, Duke strikes me as a little like the Fab5. Extremely talented, didn't really come that close to winning their league, but when they're clicking, they're more athletic and talented than pretty much everybody. It's going to take a concerted team effort to beat them.
March 16th, 2019 at 11:14 AM ^
Duke is really fucking good, but when it gets down to the nitty gritty, you have to beat good teams. And the Duke-UVA game wasnt Duke playing well, it was a statistical anomaly of epic proportions. But last night was a perfect example of why I'd rather play Duke. Yes, Zion was amazing and dominated and he was one of the best players I've ever seen. But RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish nearly shot them out of the game and that's why I think I'm ok with them. Virginia is much more experienced team and is a terrible matchup for Michigan. Zavier Simpson, Livers, and Matthews can handle Barrett, Reddish, and Jones really well. Zion is going to dominate regardless, but he's a special player, and can't do it alone all the time.
LSU needs to forfeit the season,how in the world can this team still be allowed into the big dance,after their coach was PROVEN to be buying players?
OSU got to play in the Sugar Bowl despite everyone knowing that their coach covered up NCAA violations and the program was going to sanctioned. The money was allowed to flow first before the wrists were slapped.
Assuming we win a game or two this weekend...
We need MOAR wins pls. K, thanks.
Cheaters should be banned from the tournament, ball don't lie (in this case).
Looking at the Bracket Matrix, I for the life of me can't figure out why Duke is a 2 seed. They are the best team in the country, the only reason they aren't ranked that way is because they were without Zion. He's back now and should be rated as such.
I don't think the committee puts much stock in the conference tournaments other than auto-bids and bubble teams. Rarely does it seem to impact seed lines (other than last year when the B1G Tourney was a week earlier).
Totally agree and conversely there's no way UNC should be a 1 seed. They're only there because they beat up on Duke twice without Zion. A team that went 2-3 and barely beat Wake Forest at home.
It'll get settled on the floor today between those two teams. If Duke wins, they'll be a one seed.
But the committee also needs to realize UNC didn't beat Duke with Zion. They didn't beat UVA (or even have to play them on the road). They got crushed by Louisville, crushed by M, lost to Texas. No way they're a one seed. Michigan, MSU, UK and Tennessee should all be ahead of UNC right now. Maybe even Houston.
Even with Zion back, UNC did not get blown out as your post would suggest. I think the committee will look at Duke and UNC probably the same, maybe both get 1 seeds and now UVA dips to a two. So when UM played UNC they were clearly better, but since then UM got worse and UNC got better, which happens. Tenn and Kentucky play in a puff conference where the #1 seed lost in the QF. You may think Tenn and Kentucky are better than UNC, but the committee doesn't.
down goes UVA and Purdon't. March Madness is back!