NCAA Tournament: The Sweet 16 Thread

[OUHoops]

Thursday Games
Michigan vs. Oregon -- 6:09 PM (CST)
West Virginia vs. Gonzaga 6:39 PM (CST)
Kansas vs. Purdue -- 8:39 PM (CST)
Xavier vs. Arizona -- 9:09 PM (CST)

Friday Games
Butler vs. North Carolina -- 6:09 PM (CST)
South Carolina vs. Baylor 6:29 PM (CST)
UCLA vs. Kentucky -- 8:39 PM (CST)
Wisconsin vs. Florida -- 8:59 PM (CST)

 

[chuckb]

I know most everyone seems to love tournament upsets, but this is where those early round upsets end up coming back to bite us, IMO. You end up with games like South Carolina vs. Baylor and Xavier against Arizona.

That said, there should be some really good games here. UCLA vs. Kentucky could be a final 4 game and West Virginia vs. Gonzaga could be really good as well. Also...Michigan and Oregon and Wisconsin vs. Florida.

(Yes, I know that Michigan and Wisconsin were upset winners but they're both talented enough to carry it forward, IMO.)

 

[BoulderSooner]

I know most everyone seems to love tournament upsets, but this is where those early round upsets end up coming back to bite us, IMO. You end up with games like South Carolina vs. Baylor and Xavier against Arizona.

That said, there should be some really good games here. UCLA vs. Kentucky could be a final 4 game and West Virginia vs. Gonzaga could be really good as well. Also...Michigan and Oregon and Wisconsin vs. Florida.

(Yes, I know that Michigan and Wisconsin were upset winners but they're both talented enough to carry it forward, IMO.)

and Baylor is every bit as good as Michigan and Wisconsin

and Xavier and south Carolina play hard tough physical basketball

 

[stormspencer]

I'm intrigued by North Carolina-Butler. UNC hasn't been firing on all cylinders for the last 4 weeks. I wouldn't say that they are struggling, but they certainly aren't playing to the talent level that they have with any type of consistency. I could see them winning by 10+ or losing the game outright.

It will also be interesting to see if Michigan can keep up their hot streak. Oregon is playing without Boucher and I believe this is the game where his absence will really show.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

I'm intrigued by North Carolina-Butler. UNC hasn't been firing on all cylinders for the last 4 weeks. I wouldn't say that they are struggling, but they certainly aren't playing to the talent level that they have with any type of consistency. I could see them winning by 10+ or losing the game outright.

It will also be interesting to see if Michigan can keep up their hot streak. Oregon is playing without Boucher and I believe this is the game where his absence will really show.

I don't think Michigan has a big down low that will be too much for Oregon to handle. I like the fake OU's guards more than Michigan tonight

 

[Crimson King]

Going to enjoy it while I can--Sports Hell is right around the corner. Would love to see the Boilers ruin the party in KC. And, Go Blue.

 

[WTSooner]

Purdue has the inside talent to give KU a game if their guards can play a decent game.

 

[chuckb]

and Baylor is every bit as good as Michigan and Wisconsin

and Xavier and south Carolina play hard tough physical basketball

Baylor's better than Michigan and Wisconsin. South Carolina and Xavier are pretty good teams but pretty clearly below the level of most of the others. Kansas St plays hard, tough, physical basketball, too, but they're probably not capable of really giving a top seed a tough game in a sweet 16.

 

[chuckb]

Also, KU should not be playing in KC. They could've easily put North Carolina in KC and Kansas in Memphis.

 

[stormspencer]

In watching the WV/Gonzaga, I think something that gets lost in the shuffle is just how good that Gonzaga is on defense. They don't pressure and harass you the same way as WV does; however, they get up in your grill and make you work for everything. You just don't get many clean looks against them. WV is going to continue to have a difficult time scoring against them in the halfcourt. The only way I see WV winning this game is if they get a lot of transition points/points off turnovers.

 

[sanguinetti]

Also, KU should not be playing in KC. They could've easily put North Carolina in KC and Kansas in Memphis.

seriously? have you not been paying attention for the last 20 years? or forever when it comes to Duke and UNC?

KU in KC is one of the sweetest deals in sport. and it just keeps getting sweeter.

 

[chuckb]

In watching the WV/Gonzaga, I think something that gets lost in the shuffle is just how good that Gonzaga is on defense. They don't pressure and harass you the same way as WV does; however, they get up in your grill and make you work for everything. You just don't get many clean looks against them. WV is going to continue to have a difficult time scoring against them in the halfcourt. The only way I see WV winning this game is if they get a lot of transition points/points off turnovers.

Very good on defense.

And I'd love it if Polla turned out like Karnowski.

 

[coolm]

Loving this Mich/oregon game. the contrast in styles in excellent.

Amazes me how much Beilein's team reminds me of every other Beilein team.

 

[tooney]

Loving this Mich/oregon game. the contrast in styles in excellent.

Amazes me how much Beilein's team reminds me of every other Beilein team.

That was a good game.....but Michigan's inability to box out on the free throw with a minute left cost them the game. :facepalm

Michigan really lost it in the last minute.

 

[coolm]

That was a good game.....but Michigan's inability to box out on the free throw with a minute left cost them the game. :facepalm

Michigan really lost it in the last minute.

yep. they sure did. it was an interesting game.

I really dig that Adrian kid for West Virginia. I've watched him all season long and he's just out there doing all the stuff you dont see in stat sheets. His head is constantly right where it needs to be. Those are the type of kids who hold a group together.

 

[tooney]

yep. they sure did. it was an interesting game.

I really dig that Adrian kid for West Virginia. I've watched him all season long and he's just out there doing all the stuff you dont see in stat sheets. His head is constantly right where it needs to be. Those are the type of kids who hold a group together.

WVU loses...:eddie187_jpg_xs:

The tournament always shows that it's the little things that separate the winners from the losers.

Miss a blockout costs Michigan..

A bad call by the refs on the fast break by West Virginia and some missed free throws by West Virginia hurt their chances to win. It was a great game...hard fought.

I sure wished OU had someone like the center for the Zags. That guy is an animal.

 

[coolm]

wathcin Kansas versus BFWG

 

[tooney]

wathcin Kansas versus BFWG

They are.....ain't they??? :chestram2:

Quite a run for the hawks to close the half.

Must be nice to play at home for a berth to the final four.:facepalm

 

[chuckb]

seriously? have you not been paying attention for the last 20 years? or forever when it comes to Duke and UNC?

KU in KC is one of the sweetest deals in sport. and it just keeps getting sweeter.

Do you not think they could sell out with North Carolina? Furthermore, the money's in TV much more than ticket sales.

Besides, the integrity of deciding who'll be the next champion should dictate that money is secondary. The tournament should be about neutral courts, not giving certain teams home court advantage, especially when it's not going to add 1 dime to anyone's coffers.

 

[TINY]

Do you not think they could sell out with North Carolina? Furthermore, the money's in TV much more than ticket sales.

Besides, the integrity of deciding who'll be the next champion should dictate that money is secondary. The tournament should be about neutral courts, not giving certain teams home court advantage, especially when it's not going to add 1 dime to anyone's coffers.

1-seeds usually get a homecourt advantage in one of sites. It seems like ou has to play in other team's backyard even when we are the 1 or 2 seed. That should never happen imo.