Which potential 1 or 2 seeds do you really not want us to see on our 1/4 of the bracket and why?
My biggest fears are North Carolina and Kansas. North Carolina has almost everyone back from last year, I think Zeller and Barnes would destroy embarrass us again 8 out of 10 times. They're huge and fast; not a good match up. Then with Kansas, I am not going to lie, I could see Thomas Robinson having a Derrick-Williams-vs-Duke-esque game against us. Team is stacked.
Teams I'd be happy to see at the #1/2's -- Duke, Michigan St., 'Cuse -- I feel like we can run with these teams. I'm neutral on Mizzou; they hit they're shots, but play a similar style of ball to MU IMHO.
UNC: We saw what they did last year. We'd need a 100% healthy Gardner and would have to not be afraid of them, like we seemed much of the game last year. If we were aggressive and willing to run, we could beat them. If not...eek.
Kansas: For the main reason you mention, Thomas Robinson. He's a beast. One of the few players in the nation I think we'd have a lot of trouble with inside. And they're just very complete, both Taylor and Withey are good players. Of course, there's also fears of a 2003 redux.
Kentucky: I know...we own them in the tourney, but Anthony Davis is scary good like Robinson is. I don't know how we handle him inside, and MKG is a fantastic counterpart. They are a deserving #1 (even if I have them at 2 on my S-Curve).
All of them? Every game in the tourney makes me nervous. If we were a 1 seed, I'd be worried we'd become the first to lose to a 16 seed.
only Kentucky and UNC. Kansas doesn't scare me as much. I think we can turn Taylor over and attempt to keep Robinson from touching the ball.
Quote from: copious1218 on February 29, 2012, 10:59:51 AM
only Kentucky and UNC. Kansas doesn't scare me as much. I think we can turn Taylor over and attempt to keep Robinson from touching the ball.
Agree with this. Only UNC and Kentucky truly scare me. I wouldn't mind avoiding Duke and Kansas, but we can definitely beat them. Of the 8 teams currently above us, I would like to see OSU, MSU, Mizzou and/or Cuse in our bracket.
Baylor's length scares me, I know the are inconsistent but that size is something we can have a problem with. Long athletic guys who can go inside and out isnt exactly an ideal matchup for us. Other than Baylor its UNC and Kentucky who I don't want to see, any other team we can beat.
Quote from: dwaderoy2004 on February 29, 2012, 11:18:54 AM
Agree with this. Only UNC and Kentucky truly scare me. I wouldn't mind avoiding Duke and Kansas, but we can definitely beat them. Of the 8 teams currently above us, I would like to see OSU, MSU, Mizzou and/or Cuse in our bracket.
We're not supposed to beat the #1s or #2s, so what is there to be afraid of? Some teams might be preferrable, but scared that we might be beat by a better seeded team?
If we're a 3, I'd be most scared about facing a #14 like Norfolk State that can get hot, take us down to the wire with a chance to win on the last possession.
Then I'd more scared of whoever we'd face in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. That's where we're going to face teams that are talented enough and well coached enough to beat us--teams like Vanderbilt, LSU, or Notre Dame.
But #1 or #2 seeded opponent? Doesn't scare me.
Agree with some previous posters, in that I've maintained all season long that the three teams I want to avoid in our region are UK, UNC, and Baylor.
All three teams have size and great team speed that would be tough to match.
*IU showed last night that you can let Draymond get his, and MSU will crumble with their weak supporting cast (especially their pathetic guard play).
*Duke's size might appear initially as a challenge, however they've struggled mightily all year with boxing out. Our perimeter defense may be a liability, but I wouldn't be affraid to play 'em.
*OSU is desperately missing the senior leadership/3 point shooting of Diebler and Lighty. Buford has struggled from distance. I think Jae could force Sullinger into a few turnovers. I still am waiting for this team to live up to expectations.
*T-Rob would have a field day with us (and if we were able to minimize his contributions, I think Withey then would have a big night). However...I'm not overly impressed with their other pieces. I think we could force Taylor into some turnovers.
*I would like to see us get revenge on Mizzou. They obviously run a similiar game plan, but defensively, I like our guards better. Definitely would be an interesting game to watch.