Knowing the NCAA's trend of trying to stay away from rematches from earlier in the year, and the fact same-conference opponents can't play each other until later in the tournament, that probably means MU will escape having to beat L-ville or Florida; two teams that destroyed us earlier in the year.
So....what match-ups do you see as being difficult for MU? I figure MU will be a 4-6 seed, meaning 3-6 seeds are in play for round two. Thoughts?
Quote from: Niv Berkowitz on March 15, 2013, 08:45:11 AM
Knowing the NCAA's trend of trying to stay away from rematches from earlier in the year, and the fact same-conference opponents can't play each other until later in the tournament, that probably means MU will escape having to beat L-ville or Florida; two teams that destroyed us earlier in the year.
So....what match-ups do you see as being difficult for MU? I figure MU will be a 4-6 seed, meaning 3-6 seeds are in play for round two. Thoughts?
I would be very suprised if mu falls lower than a 4. 4 seems like a lock to me.
For me it is Oklahoma state, Arizona, VCU and North Carolina would be three I wouldn't want to see in the first weekend of the tourney. I'd rather take our chances against creighton, St. Louis, k-state, memphis, or unlv. They are all tough though. I have a feeling MU is going to have their hands full in round 1.
I'd rather not play Kentucky in the first round, which is a real possibility right now.
New Mexico, Miami, VCU (highly unlikely seeds bring them into play).
I gotta say in thinking about this, if MU makes another Sweet 16 with this team, this year, which is certainly possible, but in my mind unlikely, Buzz should probably receive a lifetime extension.
Quote from: Niv Berkowitz on March 15, 2013, 08:45:11 AM
Knowing the NCAA's trend of trying to stay away from rematches from earlier in the year, and the fact same-conference opponents can't play each other until later in the tournament, that probably means MU will escape having to beat L-ville or Florida; two teams that destroyed us earlier in the year.
So....what match-ups do you see as being difficult for MU? I figure MU will be a 4-6 seed, meaning 3-6 seeds are in play for round two. Thoughts?
Worrying about potential 3-6 seeds is getting ahead of ourselves right now. We should be looking at matchups against possible 11, 12, 13 seeds.
My guess....
Marquette is a #4 seed and plays #13 Valparaiso in the first round.
Quote from: Litehouse on March 15, 2013, 08:58:38 AM
I'd rather not play Kentucky in the first round, which is a real possibility right now.
Kentucky is our bitch. We own them.
Past results are not indicative of future earnings.
Quote from: Litehouse on March 15, 2013, 08:58:38 AM
I'd rather not play Kentucky in the first round, which is a real possibility right now.
I was thinking of that last night. UK scares the bejezus out of me in round 1. I can see them making it as a 11 or 12 seed playing MU in round 1. I do NOT want that. I'd love to see a possible MU/STL in round 2, but...yeah, UK in round 1 I want no piece of.
Quote from: The Equalizer on March 15, 2013, 09:16:48 AM
Worrying about potential 3-6 seeds is getting ahead of ourselves right now. We should be looking at matchups against possible 11, 12, 13 seeds.
I agree with you. But for the sake of conversation and hoops knowledge, it's much easier to get a grasp of what 3-6 seeds we could possibly be paired with than it is the crap-shoot of 11-13 seeds. I in no way am anticipating a round 1 cakewalk.
VCU and UK are my feared 11-13 seeds that I don't want to play, however, FWIW.
Quote from: Niv Berkowitz on March 15, 2013, 09:29:24 AM
VCU and UK are my feared 11-13 seeds that I don't want to play, however, FWIW.
Well, VCU won't be anywhere near that range, so that's something.
Teams I don't want to see:
1) Michigan: Seth Greenberg cited us as the team Michigan doesn't want to face (http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/ncbexperts/id/9018472/teams-contenders-want-face-college-basketball), but I'm not convinced. They have three excellent shooters from range and are the best team in the country at keeping their opponents off the line. We'd do some damage in the paint, but in crunch time they'd be very hard for us to beat.
2) Oklahoma State: Our only hope would be taking advantage of their inexperience, but they are a tough team and wouldn't go away. They remind me a bit of us...win some scrappy games, not a great three-shooting team, and pretty deep. Would probably be a fun game to watch for the neutrals, but I think they would have us on pins and needles all the way.
3) VCU: I think Shaka's defense would wreak Havoc on Junior and company. The pressure would hurt and they would do everything in their power to wear out our bigs on the offensive glass. We don't excel when we have to play full-court offense. I want no part of the Rams.
Teams I wouldn't mind seeing:
1) Kansas State: I would love to see the Wildcats. They were co-Big 12 champs but their resume since January 5th really isn't that impressive. I think we'd dominate them on the boards and they'd put us on the line all day. No one on their team would be able to contend with Gardner.
2) UNLV: The Rebs play efficient defense but I think they would struggle with Oxtule inside. They aren't a great 3-point shooting team and don't do well protecting the ball or taking it away. I think their breakneck pace would work against them and could see Junior really having a good day.
3) Arizona: I think their freshman bigs might have trouble with our guys and I think we could stop Mark Lyons again. They do some things well, but don't really have any one metric where you say "yeah, that team's going to give you trouble here." Solomon Hill is no Derrick Williams.
Quote from: NavinRJohnson on March 15, 2013, 09:33:23 AM
Well, VCU won't be anywhere near that range, so that's something.
And FWIW, I'm looking at VCU as a 3rd round matchup, probably in the 5-6 range.