Early bracketology

[Chi-Boiler]

One thing to remember for next season when it comes to bracketing. The South regional is in Houston, apparently hosted by UH. Which means Houston CAN'T go to that region, as the #1 seed or any seed. Which means, as in Lunardi's updated bracketology today, it could cause some shifting around for regions for the 1-seeds. Lunardi has Houston his overall #1 today, Purdue overall #2. But that puts Houston in the coveted Chicago regional because they can't go to Houston. Which shifts Purdue to Washington DC in the East.

Food for thought.

Latest men's Bracketology: UConn emerges as a No. 1 seed for 2025-26

With Alex Karaban among the returning players, the Huskies crack the top line of our latest projected field.

www.espn.com

 

[DwaynePurvis00]

One thing to remember for next season when it comes to bracketing. The South regional is in Houston, apparently hosted by UH. Which means Houston CAN'T go to that region, as the #1 seed or any seed. Which means, as in Lunardi's updated bracketology today, it could cause some shifting around for regions for the 1-seeds. Lunardi has Houston his overall #1 today, Purdue overall #2. But that puts Houston in the coveted Chicago regional because they can't go to Houston. Which shifts Purdue to Washington DC in the East.

Food for thought.

Latest men's Bracketology: UConn emerges as a No. 1 seed for 2025-26

With Alex Karaban among the returning players, the Huskies crack the top line of our latest projected field.

www.espn.com

That….is dumb….. 😂

I know others are saying the same about Purdue, but I don’t see how Houston is a 1 seed…I can see a 2 but they lost a good chunk of their leadership and scoring. I’m sure I’ll be wrong

 

[Chi-Boiler]

That….is dumb….. 😂

I know others are saying the same about Purdue, but I don’t see how Houston is a 1 seed…I can see a 2 but they lost a good chunk of their leadership and scoring. I’m sure I’ll be wrong

They've got the #2 recruiting class coming in and added Pop Isaacs and a big in the portal. Currently the 3rd favorite on my board, just behind Purdue and Duke. I don't think they lost more than Cryer and Roberts (and Arceneaux and Francis transferred). I heard Roberts was able to get his social security income started before it runs out on the rest of us.

 

[boilerzz]

They've got the #2 recruiting class coming in and added Pop Isaacs and a big in the portal. Currently the 3rd favorite on my board, just behind Purdue and Duke. I don't think they lost more than Cryer and Roberts (and Arceneaux and Francis transferred). I heard Roberts was able to get his social security income started before it runs out on the rest of us.

Has Uzan decided if he's coming back yet?

 

[Chi-Boiler]

Has Uzan decided if he's coming back yet?

We’re only leaving [Houston] for guaranteed money," Milos' dad, Mike Uzan told PaperCity Mag’s Chris Baldwin. "There’s no wish upon a star and hope we get there type of thing, No. It’s got to be guaranteed. It’s a good situation at Houston. We like Houston. We like Coach Sampson and the whole family.
"It’s not that we’re trying to get out of [Houston]. He’s just trying to fulfill his dream. And if [Milos’ contract] ain’t guaranteed, theres’s no point in doing it."

 

[DwaynePurvis00]

They've got the #2 recruiting class coming in

Yeah I know this but freshman aren’t what they used to be unless it’s Flagg or (potentially) Dybansta. They don’t make THAT big of an impact since they are playing vs dudes 6-8 years older now.

and added Pop Isaacs

Smaller Caleb Love…certified shot chucker and not that great

and a big in the portal.

Meh. He doesn’t move the needle although he is the tallest dude Sampson has had for awhile

Currently the 3rd favorite on my board, just behind Purdue and Duke. I don't think they lost more than Cryer and Roberts (and Arceneaux and Francis transferred).

Cryer and Roberts were HUGE for them though.

I heard Roberts was able to get his social security income started before it runs out on the rest of us.

Lololol same with cryer.

 

[Chi-Boiler]

So Uzan is returning to Houston. But at the same time, Isaacs left Houston and is now going to A&M. Does that mean that he stayed in the portal the whole time just waiting on Uzan's decision? If so, this system really is broken.

 

[DwaynePurvis00]

So Uzan is returning to Houston. But at the same time, Isaacs left Houston and is now going to A&M. Does that mean that he stayed in the portal the whole time just waiting on Uzan's decision? If so, this system really is broken.

Weird, right? Maybe there was a clause that allowed him to do so/he hadn’t “signed” all documentation yet?

 

[Purdue79fan]

This should move Purdue back to #1 preseason and makes it (in theory) more likely for the Boilers to go through St Louis/Chicago.

 

[JRKinn]

This should move Purdue back to #1 preseason and makes it (in theory) more likely for the Boilers to go through St Louis/Chicago.

I don't think Uzan coming back, and Isaacs leaving is a detrimental impact on Houston. Houston is going to go as far as their freshmen go, but their floor is very, very high with the returning core, and system.

If their freshmen have freshmen issues they will still be very good, but not great. If their freshmen perform as well as their rankings, Houston will be 2023/24 Uconn level of good.......

 

[Chi-Boiler]

I would imagine Lunardi's bracket had Uzan returning baked in. Maybe not Isaacs leaving though.

 

[DwaynePurvis00]

I would imagine Lunardi's bracket had Uzan returning baked in. Maybe not Isaacs leaving though.

Isaacs is a non factor IMO. He’s not a great shooter…similar to Caleb love

 

[qazplm]

If Purdue plays to their potential, then they will reap those rewards.

 

[Purdue79fan]

I like our chances with two All Americans returning plus a 4 year starter in Loyer. My expectation, with the supporting cast that we have, is for this team to be better than either recent UCONN national championship team. Two "monsters in the middle" available plus better shooters surrounding them. Love the potential!

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

yes good. Finally bring my Boilers to DC. Tons of us here!

 

[JRKinn]

I like our chances with two All Americans returning plus a 4 year starter in Loyer. My expectation, with the supporting cast that we have, is for this team to be better than either recent UCONN national championship team. Two "monsters in the middle" available plus better shooters surrounding them. Love the potential!

I think this is wishful thinking. That Uconn squad in '23-'24 was historically good (best overall score in the kenpom era), and beat every team they played in the tourney by 13+ (including us by 16 in the NC). I think our ceiling is almost as good, but a lot has to go perfect to get there such as sophomore's improving greatly, Jacobsen playing his way into the first round of the NBA, and at least 2 of the 3 additions (or maybe one of the freshmen) playing B1G starter quality minutes even if coming off the bench.

We have a chance to be great, and our core is probably the best in the nation, but other teams have amassed some seriously talented squads as well, with some keeping a very solid core (Houston returns 3 of 5 starters from a runner up team and added a ton). We should be right there with the best in the nation all season.

 

[BoilerDaddy]

I think this is wishful thinking. That Uconn squad in '23-'24 was historically good (best overall score in the kenpom era), and beat every team they played in the tourney by 13+ (including us by 16 in the NC). I think our ceiling is almost as good, but a lot has to go perfect to get there such as sophomore's improving greatly, Jacobsen playing his way into the first round of the NBA, and at least 2 of the 3 additions (or maybe one of the freshmen) playing B1G starter quality minutes even if coming off the bench.

We have a chance to be great, and our core is probably the best in the nation, but other teams have amassed some seriously talented squads as well, with some keeping a very solid core (Houston returns 3 of 5 starters from a runner up team and added a ton). We should be right there with the best in the nation all season.

I think that this Purdue team could be better than that historic UConn team offensively, but I don’t see it being as good defensively. I would be more than happy if Purdue were to finish a top 10 defense nationally, per KenPom.

 

[JRKinn]

I think that this Purdue team could be better than that historic UConn team offensively, but I don’t see it being as good defensively. I would be more than happy if Purdue were to finish a top 10 defense nationally, per KenPom.

That's an expectation I can get behind. The swarming defense from that Uconn team is the thing that stood out to me. I don't think offensively they were much better than Purdue or Alabama that year, but defensively they had shut down defenders at 1-3, and an equal to Edey on defense at center.

 

[Purdue79fan]

That's an expectation I can get behind. The swarming defense from that Uconn team is the thing that stood out to me. I don't think offensively they were much better than Purdue or Alabama that year, but defensively they had shut down defenders at 1-3, and an equal to Edey on defense at center.

Equal? Edey only scored 37. Except for Smith our shooters were afraid to shoot. I don’t expect Loyer to play scared again on the big stage. TKR would have dominated his man but his minutes were cut in favor of others to “spread the floor”. Painter is older and wiser.

 

[JRKinn]

Equal? Edey only scored 37. Except for Smith our shooters were afraid to shoot. I don’t expect Loyer to play scared again on the big stage. TKR would have dominated his man but his minutes were cut in favor of others to “spread the floor”. Painter is older and wiser.

Their game plan was to let Edey eat, and lock down the rest of our offense. It worked really, really well. They wanted to keep Clingan out of foul trouble so that our guards couldn't shoot past the in their face D. The shooters were scared to shoot because they had a guy 2" taller in their face every time they got the ball.

Again I'll just go back to math, UConn was the most dominant team in the kenpom era statistically. To meet that level everything must go perfect. It's possible, but not likely. I mean come on man that team beat everybody in March and April by double digits.