[Andrew1984Participant]

Last year, UConn (7-seed) defeated Kentucky (8-seed) in the national championship game. The other Final 4 participants were Florida (1-seed) and Wisconsin (2-seed). 

Two years ago, the Final 4 featured a 1-seed (Louisville), two 4-seeds, and a 9-seed. Louisville prevailed.

I would put some projections here, but for some reason Lunardi’s bracketology is only available on insider this year (I’m pretty sure this is the first year that has been the case). 

Instead, post about a team that will most likely not get a top-4 seed that you feel will reach the Final 4 or even the title game. Not a team that you think CAN, but a team that you firmly believe WILL, and why you like them.

If it happens, your accurate prediction will be on record well before the tournament begins.

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Hey, don’t count out UConn. Ryan Boatright is playing well. Amida Brimah owns the middle when he is on his game, and freshman Daniel Hamilton is legit.  I like their chances as an "underdog".  I probably won’t put them farther than the Sweet 16, but they can give a bunch of teams a run for their money.

I think UNC has talent.  They could make a Final Four run (they could be anywhere from a 3 to 6 seed I think).

Maybe Oklahoma State, but I wouldn’t call either of those 3 teams legit Cinderella teams.  

I think this is one of those years that has a VIP only Final Four.  I will take Kentucky over Duke for the title with Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Arizona, and Virginia getting really far (Elite 8 or Final Four).  

With Villanova in the hunt for a 1 seed, why don’t they make a run that shocks the world, 30 years after they beat Georgetown for the title?  If they took out Kentucky to win the title this year, that would definitely be a HUGE upset even if ‘nova gets a 1 seed.

I think the Cinderalla teams this year will be lucky to get to the Sweet 16.

I would be SHOCKED if more than one team seeded lower than 8 or 9 made the Elite 8.

Kentucky is the ODDS ON number one team overall.  Then you have some really TOP NOTCH 1 and 2 seeds.  I think teams seeded 3-5 or 6 probably not that much separation.  Could get a lot of 5 seeds over 4 seeds and 6 over 3’s because I think there is a lot of parity in that range.  BUT, that could just make it easier for the 1 seeds (and the strong 2’s) later on in the tournament.

If I had to pick a DEEP SLEEPER team (or two) I would go with BYU.  Looked like a bubble team but beat Gonzaga AT GONZAGA.  Huge win, and BYU has some talent on its roster.  … I like St. John’s too if they get the right matchups.  UCLA has talent and promise too, but, again that is not a typical "under the radar uber-underdog type team".

Any "sleeper" type team in the Elite 8 will more likely be a team in the 15-25 range like UNC, Arkansas, and Louisville.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Hey, don’t count out UConn. Ryan Boatright is playing well. Amida Brimah owns the middle when he is on his game, and freshman Daniel Hamilton is legit.  I like their chances as an "underdog".  I probably won’t put them farther than the Sweet 16, but they can give a bunch of teams a run for their money.

I think UNC has talent.  They could make a Final Four run (they could be anywhere from a 3 to 6 seed I think).

Maybe Oklahoma State, but I wouldn’t call either of those 3 teams legit Cinderella teams.  

I think this is one of those years that has a VIP only Final Four.  I will take Kentucky over Duke for the title with Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Arizona, and Virginia getting really far (Elite 8 or Final Four).  

With Villanova in the hunt for a 1 seed, why don’t they make a run that shocks the world, 30 years after they beat Georgetown for the title?  If they took out Kentucky to win the title this year, that would definitely be a HUGE upset even if ‘nova gets a 1 seed.

I think the Cinderalla teams this year will be lucky to get to the Sweet 16.

I would be SHOCKED if more than one team seeded lower than 8 or 9 made the Elite 8.

Kentucky is the ODDS ON number one team overall.  Then you have some really TOP NOTCH 1 and 2 seeds.  I think teams seeded 3-5 or 6 probably not that much separation.  Could get a lot of 5 seeds over 4 seeds and 6 over 3’s because I think there is a lot of parity in that range.  BUT, that could just make it easier for the 1 seeds (and the strong 2’s) later on in the tournament.

If I had to pick a DEEP SLEEPER team (or two) I would go with BYU.  Looked like a bubble team but beat Gonzaga AT GONZAGA.  Huge win, and BYU has some talent on its roster.  … I like St. John’s too if they get the right matchups.  UCLA has talent and promise too, but, again that is not a typical "under the radar uber-underdog type team".

Any "sleeper" type team in the Elite 8 will more likely be a team in the 15-25 range like UNC, Arkansas, and Louisville.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 LSU’s frontline is the best non Callipari front court in the country. They will make the Final Four.

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 LSU’s frontline is the best non Callipari front court in the country. They will make the Final Four.

[Robb_CParticipant]

Arkansas and West Virginia from the power conferences… Both team have great size and speed and match up well with any team in the country..Iona could be a dangerous team in the tournament.. The MAAC is one of the best small conferences in terms of basketball talent.. Manhattan or Iona could Brea some hearts..

[Robb_CParticipant]

Arkansas and West Virginia from the power conferences… Both team have great size and speed and match up well with any team in the country..Iona could be a dangerous team in the tournament.. The MAAC is one of the best small conferences in terms of basketball talent.. Manhattan or Iona could Brea some hearts..

[sitlbitoParticipant]

http://espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology Is that the bracketology you’re talking about OP? Because it doesn’t look like it’s for insiders,but I may be horribly wrong.

[Andrew1984Participant]

 Thanks, Sitlbito, my mistake.

 I think SMU is going to do some damage. The Mustangs have won 13 of their last 15, they’re 20th in the RPI, and they give up under 60 a game. 

Plus, I think they have a little bit of a chip on their shoulder because they didn’t land Mudiay or Myles Turner.

 

 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 Thanks, Sitlbito, my mistake.

 I think SMU is going to do some damage. The Mustangs have won 13 of their last 15, they’re 20th in the RPI, and they give up under 60 a game. 

Plus, I think they have a little bit of a chip on their shoulder because they didn’t land Mudiay or Myles Turner.

 

 

[sitlbitoParticipant]

http://espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology Is that the bracketology you’re talking about OP? Because it doesn’t look like it’s for insiders,but I may be horribly wrong.

[mgreener_34Participant]

 If there’s one thing I know about March Madness, it’s these two truths: To win in March you need 1.) a good coach, and 2.) good point guard play. 

In March the pressure goes through the roof, and any team that can’t get the ball where they want it is done before the tip off in my opinion. When both teams have good guard play, it all comes down to coaching, and who can execute better. That’s it really. Look at the last 5 years of tourny winners and you’ll see what I mean. UConn had Shabazz and Kemba, LVill had Peyton Siva and Russ. Even Butler had Shelvin Mack and last years KT team had good guard play as well. 

With that being said I think UConn can make it to the final 4 if they are put in a weak divition. Boatright is just filthy this year, and they have good complementary pieces in Hamilton/Brimah. The team also hasn’t been healthy all year, and could be at 100% come tourny time. Ollie is also a coach who knows how to win in the tourny, and that can’t be over stated. 

I wouldn’t put it past Louiville or Ohio St. to reach the Top 4 either.

[mgreener_34Participant]

 If there’s one thing I know about March Madness, it’s these two truths: To win in March you need 1.) a good coach, and 2.) good point guard play. 

In March the pressure goes through the roof, and any team that can’t get the ball where they want it is done before the tip off in my opinion. When both teams have good guard play, it all comes down to coaching, and who can execute better. That’s it really. Look at the last 5 years of tourny winners and you’ll see what I mean. UConn had Shabazz and Kemba, LVill had Peyton Siva and Russ. Even Butler had Shelvin Mack and last years KT team had good guard play as well. 

With that being said I think UConn can make it to the final 4 if they are put in a weak divition. Boatright is just filthy this year, and they have good complementary pieces in Hamilton/Brimah. The team also hasn’t been healthy all year, and could be at 100% come tourny time. Ollie is also a coach who knows how to win in the tourny, and that can’t be over stated. 

I wouldn’t put it past Louiville or Ohio St. to reach the Top 4 either.

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