2013-14 NCAA College Basketball Thread

[Lights Out]

No team is as good as Florida this season, and I think the title is theirs to lose.

Florida's really good but not quite as dominant as they're made out to be. They almost blew it in the conference tourney to inferior Tennessee and Kentucky teams.

I actually think Wichita will surprise people. Yes, they're a #1 seed, but people seem to have low expectations for them in the tournament especially with their tough bracket. Still though, they pass the eye test, they're experienced and play great team ball.

[dfwabel]

Florida beats Arizona and I win a billion dollars.

Yea. Because you'll correctly pick the first 66 games.

[DS729]

No team is as good as Florida this season, and I think the title is theirs to lose.

Florida's really good but not quite as dominant as they're made out to be. They almost blew it in the conference tourney to inferior Tennessee and Kentucky teams.

I actually think Wichita will surprise people. Yes, they're a #1 seed, but people seem to have low expectations for them in the tournament especially with their tough bracket. Still though, they pass the eye test, they're experienced and play great team ball.

Exactly. When Kentucky won in 2012, they had a much stronger SEC, this year there were only 3 Tournament teams (Tennessee was a 12 seed), and 2 bubble teams that choked their chances away. Florida has beat up on Kentucky and inferior teams since January, there far and away NOT what their made out to be.

[ninersdd]

I guess SMU's ranking was like the points on Whose Line. It didn't matter.

[FiddySicks]

Arizona State is gonna win it all. Sparky's gonna win me that billion dollars. FORK EM, DEVS!!!

Someone tell me again why ASU is even in the tournament?

[Kramerica Industries]

No team is as good as Florida this season, and I think the title is theirs to lose.

Florida's really good but not quite as dominant as they're made out to be. They almost blew it in the conference tourney to inferior Tennessee and Kentucky teams.

I actually think Wichita will surprise people. Yes, they're a #1 seed, but people seem to have low expectations for them in the tournament especially with their tough bracket. Still though, they pass the eye test, they're experienced and play great team ball.

Exactly. When Kentucky won in 2012, they had a much stronger SEC, this year there were only 3 Tournament teams (Tennessee was a 12 seed), and 2 bubble teams that choked their chances away. Florida has beat up on Kentucky and inferior teams since January, there far and away NOT what their made out to be.

Florida also beat Kansas, beat Memphis (neutral court), damn-near beat Connecticut and hung tough in Madison against an eventual-two seed with half the roster injured or suspended/ineligible, but, by all means, find a way to dump on a 21-0 conference record. I mean, yeah, the SEC is no great shakes, but going 21-0 against your conference is extremely impressive. Kentucky was preseason #1 and Florida beat them three times, twice in what either was or essentially was a road game (because "Catlanta" doesn't exist just for s and giggles sake).

I will say that if Florida's foul shooting continues at the rate it did in the SEC Tournament, they're going to be in trouble. 27-54 in the Tourney and they nearly pissed away the game today because of consecutive one-and-one misses on the front end. For a game that meant essentially nothing (#1 overall was Florida's win or lose), the Gators really did find a way to make me extremely nervous, what with blowing virtually all of a 16 point second half lead and the missed free throws.

I'm not sure what my bracket will eventually yield, but I can't complain with what Florida drew. No Louisville, no Iowa State, no Duke, no Wisconsin or Michigan, I mean, I can roll with it. They've played Kansas so there wouldn't be any surprises there if they meet again (of course, Kansas will have a tough time getting there if Embid can't return; hopefully he can and Kansas will be able to advance past inferior foes). Syracuse is fading, UCLA and VCU aren't the most threatening #4's and #5's in the world; hopefully the fourth time is the charm as far as not crapping out in the Regional Final (though, of course, Florida does have to get there first).

[Burkell007]

Well looks like some body get there wish......VT fires mr Johnson.....Bruce Pearl in the ACC? Yes please!

[DS729]

No team is as good as Florida this season, and I think the title is theirs to lose.

Florida's really good but not quite as dominant as they're made out to be. They almost blew it in the conference tourney to inferior Tennessee and Kentucky teams.

I actually think Wichita will surprise people. Yes, they're a #1 seed, but people seem to have low expectations for them in the tournament especially with their tough bracket. Still though, they pass the eye test, they're experienced and play great team ball.

Exactly. When Kentucky won in 2012, they had a much stronger SEC, this year there were only 3 Tournament teams (Tennessee was a 12 seed), and 2 bubble teams that choked their chances away. Florida has beat up on Kentucky and inferior teams since January, there far and away NOT what their made out to be.

Florida also beat Kansas, beat Memphis (neutral court), damn-near beat Connecticut and hung tough in Madison against an eventual-two seed with half the roster injured or suspended/ineligible, but, by all means, find a way to dump on a 21-0 conference record. I mean, yeah, the SEC is no great shakes, but going 21-0 against your conference is extremely impressive. Kentucky was preseason #1 and Florida beat them three times, twice in what either was or essentially was a road game (because "Catlanta" doesn't exist just for s and giggles sake).

I will say that if Florida's foul shooting continues at the rate it did in the SEC Tournament, they're going to be in trouble. 27-54 in the Tourney and they nearly pissed away the game today because of consecutive one-and-one misses on the front end. For a game that meant essentially nothing (#1 overall was Florida's win or lose), the Gators really did find a way to make me extremely nervous, what with blowing virtually all of a 16 point second half lead and the missed free throws.

I'm not sure what my bracket will eventually yield, but I can't complain with what Florida drew. No Louisville, no Iowa State, no Duke, no Wisconsin or Michigan, I mean, I can roll with it. They've played Kansas so there wouldn't be any surprises there if they meet again (of course, Kansas will have a tough time getting there if Embid can't return; hopefully he can and Kansas will be able to advance past inferior foes). Syracuse is fading, UCLA and VCU aren't the most threatening #4's and #5's in the world; hopefully the fourth time is the charm as far as not crapping out in the Regional Final (though, of course, Florida does have to get there first).

No, Florida isn't a bad team, and their OOC wins prove that along with their perfect SEC record. It's just Florida isn't the clear best team in the tournament (IMO) as say a Kentucky was in 2012, talent-wise they're on the same level as some of the other "contenders" this year (Arizona, Louisville, etc.)

As for their chances, I'd take Florida to win their bracket if they started the game losing 15-0, the only clear contender in the bracket is Kansas that may or may not have Joel Embiid for a potential Elite 8 rematch, this isn't the best VCU team I've seen, and they could easily lose in the first round to Stephen F. Austin, who also has 2 losses. UCLA is probably the weakest Top 4 seed, getting that seed was pretty much by virtue of beating Arizona in the PAC-12 title. Syracuse and Ohio State have both cooled down quite a bit after their hot starts, Florida should easily win their bracket. And they had a very fortunate draw, compared to say Wichita St. (A classic example of the NCAA screwing over mid-majors like it's their job.)

[qwerty]

Predictions for the First Four

Albany beats Mount St Mary's

Tennessee beats Iowa

NC State beats Xavier

Cal Poly beats Texas Southern

[crashcarson15]

Florida should easily win their bracket. And they had a very fortunate draw, compared to say Wichita St. (A classic example of the NCAA screwing over mid-majors like it's their job.)

No, that's what's supposed to happen in the #1 overall seed's bracket.

[DCarp1231]

Wait.. just made another bracket and I have Florida over Wisconsin.

EDIT: Made another one with the assistance of a simulator. did the best out of three games for each game and ended up with Virginia and Oklahoma State in the National Championship. For the National Champioship I did best out of five and ended up with Oklahoma State as the champions.

[TrueYankee26]

Hey, Duke has a rare tough bracket! Bout time

[DaRadniz29]

All five people on Bracketology all chose Michigan State. Damn, they're going to be boned if MSU gets upset at some point early on. It's not that they're wrong, it's just the surprise in seeing such a diverse opinion seeking topic being universally agreed upon like that. It literally never happens when there isn't a consensus best team (a la 2012 Kentucky).

I'm a little surprised that so many people are picking Michigan State for the same reason. That's who my pick is, but I think this is one of the years that it's wide open. I think MSU is definitely the best team when they're at full strength, but that's rarely been the case. They rolled through the Big Ten Tournament, but Gary Harris got knocked up and missed a good amount of time in the second half today.

For the homer portion of my post...Illinois got a 2 seed in the NIT and will play at Boston U. and Indiana didn't make it, no complaints here.

I know, no love for Delaware. I think the Fightin' Blue Hens might surprise people. They've got the three-headed monster in the backcourt with Saddler, Usher and Threatt, the top scoring trio among guards in the country, and second highest scoring trio overall. Delaware has a few perimeter shooters, especially Anderson. Tougher draw for Sparty than some believe. I'm hoping Delaware wins, do I think they will? No, probably not, but I'll be rooting for them.

[Billy B]

All five people on Bracketology all chose Michigan State. Damn, they're going to be boned if MSU gets upset at some point early on. It's not that they're wrong, it's just the surprise in seeing such a diverse opinion seeking topic being universally agreed upon like that. It literally never happens when there isn't a consensus best team (a la 2012 Kentucky).

I'm a little surprised that so many people are picking Michigan State for the same reason. That's who my pick is, but I think this is one of the years that it's wide open. I think MSU is definitely the best team when they're at full strength, but that's rarely been the case. They rolled through the Big Ten Tournament, but Gary Harris got knocked up and missed a good amount of time in the second half today.

For the homer portion of my post...Illinois got a 2 seed in the NIT and will play at Boston U. and Indiana didn't make it, no complaints here.

I know, no love for Delaware. I think the Fightin' Blue Hens might surprise people. They've got the three-headed monster in the backcourt with Saddler, Usher and Threatt, the top scoring trio among guards in the country, and second highest scoring trio overall. Delaware has a few perimeter shooters, especially Anderson. Tougher draw for Sparty than some believe. I'm hoping Delaware wins, do I think they will? No, probably not, but I'll be rooting for them.

I actually posted before the CAA championship that I liked Delaware to upset their first round opponent depending on the matchup. Unfortunately, I think Michigan State is one of the worst matchups they could've gotten. Harris and Appling can really lock it down on defense and should be able to contain Delaware's guards as well as anyone has this season. They're obviously also going to be a problem for Delaware on the other end of the court. Plus I'm not sure that Delaware will have an answer for Payne. It's a shame, because I really like this Delaware team. Now watch them go pull off the upset and make me look like an idiot.

[Billy B]

ESPN is reporting that Auburn is close to hiring Bruce Pearl. That would be a shame since I actually like Auburn.

[Burkell007]

ESPN is reporting that Auburn is close to hiring Bruce Pearl. That would be a shame since I actually like Auburn.

It's now official.

[TrueYankee26]

The Madness starts tonight (technically)! Woohoo

[ninersdd]

Ken Bone looks like he's been canned at Washington State.

[Burkell007]

Same with Boston college, Steve Donahue is out there.

[DaRadniz29]

First Round starts tonight. Albany vs Mt. St. Mary's early game and then NC State vs Xavier. Interesting to see if it will be a pro Xavier crowd since their fans don't have to travel very far, or if the Dayton faithful that are still around or not headed to Buffalo come out to cheer on NC State along with the Wolfpack fan base.