2011 NCAA Tournament Projections/Bracketology

[Jaxbuck]

I can't pick SDSU to the Final Four because they showed an extreme lack of poise on O when I saw them play BYU when the Cougars were at full strength. You won't win in the tourney when your offense is largely based on transition baskets and your halfcourt offense can most accurately be described as "throw the ball at the hoop, storm the offensive glass, repeat" - that works in the MWC, but that shit won't fly when you play teams with good frontcourts that limit your second chances. I think the first team that SDSU plays with a strong frontcourt that is able to limit the transition opportunities of the Aztecs will beat them.

First time I saw them play I told a friend they reminded me of a vintage Huggins/UC team.

 

[Diego-Bucks]

I can't pick SDSU to the Final Four because they showed an extreme lack of poise on O when I saw them play BYU when the Cougars were at full strength. You won't win in the tourney when your offense is largely based on transition baskets and your halfcourt offense can most accurately be described as "throw the ball at the hoop, storm the offensive glass, repeat" - that works in the MWC, but that shit won't fly when you play teams with good frontcourts that limit your second chances. I think the first team that SDSU plays with a strong frontcourt that is able to limit the transition opportunities of the Aztecs will beat them.

I can understand that, they aren't elite offensively. However they are #24 overall in offensive efficiency and #4 nationally in defensive efficiency. Your call. But legitimately, you will judge them based on a time they played an elite BYU team and lost but what about UConn who lost 9 or 10 times altogether? Or Texas losing 7 times. I don't expect that SDSU will get a lot of love from people do to exposure, I am only pointing out some of the statistics and advising a strong reconsideration when you pick the team they'll lose to.

 

[exhawg]

On the bight side if OSU wins it all no one will be able to say they had an easy road like Duke last year. Need to get those 3pt shooters on fire for the next month.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Some early lines that may help you form an opinion on your bracket. The old line is "forget the seed, look at the spread" meaning a small spread for a higher seed is a good indicator of upset potential. I tried to put all the 5/12, 6/11 and 7/10 games to give a point of reference plus a couple of others that stick out. Bolded are the ones that stand out to me.

#4 SE Wisconsin -4.5 over #13 SE Belmont (highest seed with lowest spread on the board that I can see).

#5 SE K State -1.5 over #12 SE Utah State
#5 SW Vanderbilt -1.5 over #12 SW Richmond
#5 E West Virginia waiting for opponent
#5 W Arizona -5 vs #12 E Memphis

#6 SE St Johns -1.5 over #11 SE Gonzaga
#6 W UC pick em vs #11 W Missouri
#6 E Xavier -1.5 over #11 E Marquette
#6 SW Georgetown waiting opponent

#7W Temple -2.5 over #10 W Penn State
#7 SW Texas A&M pick em vs #10 SW FSU
#7 SE UCLA +1.5 vs #10 MSU
#7 E Washington -5 vs #10 E UGA

#8 SE Butler +1.5 vs #9 SE ODU
#8 SW UNLV -1.5 vs #9 SW Illinois
#8 W scUM pick em vs #9 W Tennessee
#8 E George Mason -1.5 vs #9 E Villanova

TIFWIW, Vegas is not in the business of necessarily issuing lines to enlighten the public as to who they think is the better team.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

On the bight side if OSU wins it all no one will be able to say they had an easy road like Duke last year. Need to get those 3pt shooters on fire for the next month.

Nah the talking heads will talk about the how Gene Smith (not the selection committee) left out Colorado/Alabama/Va Tech/St Mary's et al, and they would have smoked OSU if put in their bracket.


On a side note... sorry but wtf is up with the seeding this year.. Kentucky & Texas a #4 seed (i know arguements can be made for higher and lower seeds) but Florida a #2 seed... yeah we got the bracket of death, just hope we play consistent.

 

[Gatorubet]

On a side note... sorry but wtf is up with the seeding this year.. Kentucky & Texas a #4 seed (i know arguments can be made for higher and lower seeds) but Florida a #2 seed... yeah we got the bracket of death, just hope we play consistent.

I have nothin', zero, zilch, bupkiss, nada explanation for that. Nobody in Gator Country even trying to defend it, just happy to go with the bizarre flow.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I have nothin', zero, zilch, bupkiss, nada explanation for that. Nobody in Gator Country even trying to defend it, just happy to go with the bizarre flow.

I'd trade our (supposed) overall #1 seed for UF's 2 seed in a heartbeat.

 

[buckeyesin07]

I'd trade our (supposed) overall #1 seed for UF's 2 seed in a heartbeat.

I agree. I know I'm not the first to say it, but I have a hard time thinking Smith being the head of the committee doesn't hurt OSU--as if the committee tries so hard to avoid the appearance of impropriety that OSU gets a raw deal when it comes to the brackets. OK, removing tin foil hat now...

 

[Jake]

On the bight side if OSU wins it all no one will be able to say they had an easy road like Duke last year.

Unfortunately, few said Duke had an easy road last year even though it was clear. After all, they're Dook and they're awesome. No one can beat them.

 

[Jake]

I'd trade our (supposed) overall #1 seed for UF's 2 seed in a heartbeat.

Add me to the list.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Add me to the list.

From where we sit right now, our potential Sweet 16 game is against Kentucky. After that the odds are it would be UNC or Syracuse

In UF's slot we would get the winner of the St Johns (minus 1 starter)/BYU(minus the serial fornicator starter)/Gonzaga/Wofford gaggle fuck. Then in the Elite 8 the survivor of Pitt/K State/Wisconsin grouping.

I'd bet the house, with my kids in it, that OSU gets to the FF with that draw.

 

[buckmouse]

Friday

Could someone post the start time for the Game Friday?

Thanks,

 

[OHSportsFan]

Could someone post the start time for the Game Friday?

Thanks,

30 Minutes after the Nova/George Mason game (2:00pm), so approximately 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

 

[buckmouse]

Thanks - I'll leave work just a tad early on Friday- Start the weekend out right!!

 

[MaxBuck]

I agree. I know I'm not the first to say it, but I have a hard time thinking Smith being the head of the committee doesn't hurt OSU--as if the committee tries so hard to avoid the appearance of impropriety that OSU gets a raw deal when it comes to the brackets. OK, removing tin foil hat now...

I see Kentucky's 4-seed as having more to do with John Calipari than with anything else. If we feel like we got hosed, imagine what UK fans must feel like.