2024 NCAA Tournament Thread

[BLWarrior91]

As Al would say, it will be a battle of the aircraft carriers in the final.

The two best teams all season.  Should be a great one.

[StillWarriors]

Edey ~ Clingan
UConn guards >>> Purdue guards

In addition, UConn's offense seems to get what it wants, when it wants it. Their set plays are fun to watch. Sometimes they are quick hitters and other times they run a bunch of action for 20 seconds and you can just sense something is coming and all the sudden there's an alley oop or wide open 3. Hurley has won me over the past couple years. Dude is a helluva coach and has become more likable the more I have seen him in in depth interviews. Go Big East on Monday.

[HutchwasClutch]

As Al would say, it will be a battle of the aircraft carriers in the final.

The two best teams all season.  Should be a great one.

I think UConn will pound them.   Last night will be the only time they've been tested in two tournaments.  Amazing run. 

[1SE]

In the last two seasons, UConn has lost 1 game outside the Big East.

By 4 points.

If they win tomorrow, they'll be 33-1 over the past two years against non-BE teams, with the sole loss @then no. 5 Kansas.

[Uncle Rico]

In addition, UConn's offense seems to get what it wants, when it wants it. Their set plays are fun to watch. Sometimes they are quick hitters and other times they run a bunch of action for 20 seconds and you can just sense something in coming and all the sudden there's an alley oop or wide open 3. Hurley has won me over the past couple years. Dude is a helluva coach and has become more likable the more I have seen him in in depth interviews. Go Big East on Monday.

I dunno, some scoopers were certain he was a bad coach a few years ago.

[Nukem2]

By 4 points.

If they win tomorrow, they'll be 33-1 over the past two years against non-BE teams, with the sole loss @then no. 5 Kansas.

Yep and Kansas was healthy at that time while Clinigan was just coming back from injury and Castle did not play in that game due to injury.

[Uncle Rico]

Women's ratings continue to set new records

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39889095/iowa-again-draws-record-ratings-final-four-win-uconn

Clay Travis in shambles

[MuggsyB]

Women's ratings continue to set new records

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39889095/iowa-again-draws-record-ratings-final-four-win-uconn


Clay Travis in shambles

CC moves the needle.  Maybe more than any player since Jordan, and that's not hyperbole.  The game today will get an enormous rating.   There are people who have never watched basketball before that have tuned in to watch Caitlin Clark.  And not just young girls or women.   

[Uncle Rico]

CC moves the needle.  Maybe more than any player since Jordan, and that's not hyperbole.  The game today will get an enormous rating.   There are people who have never watched basketball before that have tuned in to watch Caitlin Clark.  And not just young girls or women.

A new generation of fans being born before our eyes.  Dung in shambles

[The Sultan]

I may be wrong, but I think the Women's final will outdraw the Men's.

[The Sultan]

I may be wrong, but I think the Women's final will outdraw the Men's.

8:20 pm tip time doesn't help for the men.

[brewcity77]

I'm kind of amazed at what seems like a near universal "UConn will pound Purdue" narrative out there. The line opened at -6.5, which is more than double the kenpom (-3) and triple the Torvik (-2) projections, and has been bet up to -7.5 some places.

I realize UConn is good, Purdue has also more than covered the kenpom spread in every tourney game so far. They have the most dominant player in the sport in well over a decade, and maybe closer to three. And they don't push the pace, so the transition game that lets UConn post extended monster runs will be harder to come by. Think this will be a lot closer than everyone seems to indicate.

[MuggsyB]

No one seems to think Iowa has a chance in this one.  That 6'7 center for South C is a problem. 

[MuggsyB]

I'm kind of amazed at what seems like a near universal "UConn will pound Purdue" narrative out there. The line opened at -6.5, which is more than double the kenpom (-3) and triple the Torvik (-2) projections, and has been bet up to -7.5 some places.

I realize UConn is good, Purdue has also more than covered the kenpom spread in every tourney game so far. They have the most dominant player in the sport in well over a decade, and maybe closer to three. And they don't push the pace, so the transition game that lets UConn post extended monster runs will be harder to come by. Think this will be a lot closer than everyone seems to indicate.

I think it's mostly the eye test during the course of the tournament, Brew.  The spread may also have to do with UCONN annihilating Illinois.  If both teans play well I think it will be very competitive but Edey must dominate and Smith has to show up. 

[The Sultan]

I think it's mostly the eye test during the course of the tournament, Brew.  The spread may also have to do with UCONN annihilating Illinois.  If both teans play well I think it will be very competitive but Edey must dominate and Smith has to show up. 

Purdue by far is the best team they've played in the tournament the last two years. That being said, I do think they will win by about 8-10.

[tower912]

No one seems to think Iowa has a chance in this one.  That 6'7 center for South C is a problem.

Iowa players and South Carolina players mot shaking hands.   Bad juju.

[Uncle Rico]

Game over.  Start the bus. 

[MuggsyB]

Decent start for C-Clark. 

[Uncle Rico]

Decent start for C-Clark.

Great second quarter by the others to keep Iowa in the lead so far

[cheebs09]

It feels like South Carolina's way of scoring is way more sustainable.

[MuggsyB]

It feels like South Carolina's way of scoring is way more sustainable.

Yes.  They're way, way, bigger. 

[CountryRoads]

Really enjoyable game to watch.

[Uncle Rico]

It feels like South Carolina's way of scoring is way more sustainable.

Agree.  That's a damn good team

[tower912]

It feels like South Carolina's way of scoring is way more sustainable.

Toss the ball up and let your bigger players go get it?   Teams with superior size try it all the time.

[tower912]

South Carolina undefeated for a reason.