2 wins and we play the 1 seed in the Sweet 16 if they are still alive. Of the Four projected 1s now - Nova, Kansas, Carolina and Zags - who are the worst matchups for us? I would say Kansas and Carolina. I really think this team can beat anybody - or lose to a lot of teams in this tourney as well. It could be one of the craziest years ever. Win and advance and then you never know. Most projections have us with Kansas I believe.
Assuming we are a 4 Seed
- Thread starter saratogashaw
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Kansas and North Carolina. The Kansas game is in Kansas City. NC is just a talented, long team that can hurt us from a number of ways. I would like to avoid those two at all cost.
The problem is, as the strongest 4 seed, we are very likely to be in the Midwest--along with Kansas. That's the kiss of death...
The problem is, as the strongest 4 seed, we are very likely to be in the Midwest--along with Kansas. That's the kiss of death...
What if we intentionally threw the first game and hoped for a 6 seed?
I like being matched up against Kansas.
They are small in the back court and are prone to getting into foul trouble. They are also streaky and when they are forced to play slow they are beatable.
Only one that scares me is UNC. I think their length and athleticism is problematic for us.
They are small in the back court and are prone to getting into foul trouble. They are also streaky and when they are forced to play slow they are beatable.
Only one that scares me is UNC. I think their length and athleticism is problematic for us.
Normally I agree. But, Kansas in Kansas City? That is a very tall task for any team.
Kansas is the worst matchup with a high level elite guard in Frank Mason. Purdue would probably be even money against Gonzaga and Nova on a neutral court.
Better keep your hopes tempered for a rematch with Nova. Butler only team in country basically that had any success with them and didn't play all that shabby last March if memory serves well. They came into Mackey first game and everything against them and still walked out winners. We played well but also down double digits in first and second half before coming back. Nova are defending champs, coached extremely well and somewhat under the radar somehow all season it seems. Not a team I would like to see in 3rd round for sure.
Kansas guards are not going to be anymore of a problem for us than the MN guards were who were dynamite against us and Mason had 31............Oh wait, that did not work out to well for us......
So it all boils down to how much our D is improved.....or is it? Well lets play MN, MICH & MD again in the B1G tourney and see if our improved D can do the trick. If we can handle the B1G tourney I give us a fair shake against anyone.
For the NCAAT & Purdue it is all 1 game at a time. Before we worry about #1 seeds....let's get out of the first game, then first weekend. After that you are NOT getting to the FF without beating really GREAT teams.
how about we beat our first round opponent and then worry about who the 1 seed is...
I do feel this year is different. We have had some hiccups along the way, lost a few we shouldn't have. The one thing that feels different though, we always seem like we find a way.
There have not been many blowout loses for us. We have had come from behind wins and we have had games where we blew the doors off some folks (NW, Rutgers and MSU).
Everyone talks about guard play being the key to deep runs in March but the other is free throws. I used to cringe down the stretch when Purdue went to the line. Now I look forward to it. You can tell it also breaks the opposing team because they know we convert.
There have not been many blowout loses for us. We have had come from behind wins and we have had games where we blew the doors off some folks (NW, Rutgers and MSU).
Everyone talks about guard play being the key to deep runs in March but the other is free throws. I used to cringe down the stretch when Purdue went to the line. Now I look forward to it. You can tell it also breaks the opposing team because they know we convert.
The pressure cooker I think is the 4/5 matchup to get to the sweet 16. Facing the possibilities of Virginia, W. Vir., Butler, Cincy, ND would be major grinder type of games.
To the Op's question:
UNC is the worst match-up - Long and athletic. Guard that can get to the rim.
Kansas is next - Mason would not be good for us.
Nova is 3rd - Already played them, they pose some issues with guard play but more manageable than the 2 teams above.
Gonzaga - Not even close. Of the 4 I would take this one every day of the week. They are a quality team but not on the level of the other 3.
UNC is the worst match-up - Long and athletic. Guard that can get to the rim.
Kansas is next - Mason would not be good for us.
Nova is 3rd - Already played them, they pose some issues with guard play but more manageable than the 2 teams above.
Gonzaga - Not even close. Of the 4 I would take this one every day of the week. They are a quality team but not on the level of the other 3.
Mason is a Trimble-level head tosser so that would be horribly frustrating. How nobody talks about this is mind boggling.
Originally I really wanted to avoid Kansas but I feel like they've let a lot of significantly lesser teams hang around a good portion of the game. I guess it says something that they've been able to come back and win late or put teams away but I do think they would struggle inside with us. I actually think we matchup somewhat well with all of the projected 1 seeds. UNC has size inside to battle us but I think we are still more skilled down there. Gonzaga is my clear preference as far as teams I do want to play with UNC maybe being least. I think UNC could beat us by 20 and also lose by like 15 . Last year they turned it on come tourney time so who knows what team shows up.
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