Fair enough. Sorry if I got a little excited.I’m just needling you guys
Fair enough. Sorry if I got a little excited.I’m just needling you guys
This is true, and if they finish off the run they are in the conversation for best ever. I do feel like I need to note that UConn has yet to play a top 10 team by Kenpom. The blowouts might end once they do.Did they ever have a tourney run where they won it all and beat every team by double digits? And then the next year go to the final four again beating top 25 teams by 30 points and again never winning by less than double digits?
That Duke team won the first four handily and then only beat Michigan St by 6 before losing to UConn.
This - and last year’s - UConn teams have obliterated everyone. The closest anyone got last year in the tourney was 13 by Miami. This year the closest has been 17 by Northwestern.
Agreed. And they might even lose if they play a Purdue or Tennessee or Duke.This is true, and if they finish off the run they are in the conversation for best ever. I do feel like I need to note that UConn has yet to play a top 10 team by Kenpom. The blowouts might end once they do.
I doubt it. Plus, their road being easier is a function of being the number one overall seed.Agreed. And they might even lose if they play a Purdue or Tennessee or Duke.
I think it moved.
I think certainly in the modern era (post 1985 when the tournament expanded to 64 teams - you can go back to 1975 too when it expanded from 16 to 32.) If they can finish the deal. It’s just Duke and Florida in the modern era. Both of those teams returned their starting 5 right? Thats almost 50 years. We are witnessing something quite rare. This team lost 3 to the nba and Joey Calcaterra. And somehow they got better and more dominant. But they Need. To. Finish. This. Off.This is true, and if they finish off the run they are in the conversation for best ever. I do feel like I need to note that UConn has yet to play a top 10 team by Kenpom. The blowouts might end once they do.
I would say the level of talent in college basketball is a lot worse now than it was then. This year particularly. There’s just not a lot of very good players in college right now.I think certainly in the modern era (post 1985 when the tournament expanded to 64 teams - you can go back to 1975 too when it expanded from 16 to 32.) If they can finish the deal. It’s just Duke and Florida in the modern era. Both of those teams returned their starting 5 right? Thats almost 50 years. We are witnessing something quite rare. This team lost 3 to the nba and Joey Calcaterra. And somehow they got better and more dominant. But they Need. To. Finish. This. Off.
I think in general the tournament this year has been poor. Bad basketball and few games where the outcome is in doubt with 1-2 minutes to go.I would say the level of talent in college basketball is a lot worse now than it was then. This year particularly. There’s just not a lot of very good players in college right now
I know I am the turd in the punch bowl in the college basketball threads and maybe I have watched too much NBA, but I completely agree with this.I think in general the tournament this year has been poor. Bad basketball and few games where the outcome is in doubt with 1-2 minutes to go.
worst tournament in a long long time.I think in general the tournament this year has been poor. Bad basketball and few games where the outcome is in doubt with 1-2 minutes to go.
I think that the talent is there as in previous eras, but the difference now is that the talent is spread out to more teams. UConn, and really Hurley, has set model of program building in this era though. Intelligent use of portal, getting talent that fits their system, and mix of youth and experienceI know I am the turd in the punch bowl in the college basketball threads and maybe I have watched too much NBA, but I completely agree with this.
There’s just a noticeable talent drain for college. Maybe I am looking at it too much through the lens of the NBA draft but I think this may be the worst year in my lifetime (35 years, although the Anthony Bennett year is close)
This just isn’t true if you’re comparing them to Duke and Florida or past years (which is what I am responding to).I think that the talent is there as in previous eras, but the difference now is that the talent is spread out to more teams. UConn, and really Hurley, has set model of program building in this era though. Intelligent use of portal, getting talent that fits their system, and mix of youth and experience
They’re gonna have to shoot like this to have any chance against UConnThree point shooting was surprisingly good in Glendale in 2017. Usually, the football stadiums are not great but I remember them saying the sight lines were really good and it was close to 40 percent. Could help Alabama.
What do you think the line will be? Maybe -6.5?They’re gonna have to shoot like this to have any chance against UConn
You accidentally included a decimal in there.What do you think the line will be? Maybe -6.5?
Early line 11.5 on Draft KingsWhat do you think the line will be? Maybe -6.5?
Good thing I am not a bookmaker.Early line 11.5 on Draft Kings
KP data goes back a little further for subscribers, Duke 1999 was +43.01. Duke 2001 was +37.32.By kenpom, UConn is approaching lofty territory. Currently at 35.10. The data only goes back to 2002, but the only teams I can find higher:
2008 - Kansas 35.21 (won title)
2015 - Kentucky 36.91 (lost FF)
2021 - Gonzaga 36.48 (lost NC)
That's the list.
Interesting that only one of three won it all.
Also, unknown if other teams surpassed 35.1 but fell back with a tourney loss (e.g., 2002 Duke at 34.19, lost in the S16 to Indiana; 2011 Ohio State finished at 33.47, lost in the S16 to Kentucky; etc.).
I haven’t been this confident in my team since the 2007 Patriots
Ugggh. Guess what building the final is being played in hahahahaha shit.Man, did you have to say that?
College sports come down to coaches.I think that the talent is there as in previous eras, but the difference now is that the talent is spread out to more teams. UConn, and really Hurley, has set model of program building in this era though. Intelligent use of portal, getting talent that fits their system, and mix of youth and experience
Ah thanks.KP data goes back a little further for subscribers, Duke 1999 was +43.01. Duke 2001 was +37.32.
Can I send this post to the UNC AD?College sports come down to coaches.
Hurley both gets the players and gets them to buy in.
Very good coaches can do 1 of those 2 things.
Great ones do both.
This UConn team is remarkable insofar as how they play as a team.
Prior runs driven by guys like Kemba and Okafor.
This team is 8 deep. And can beat you everywhere.
I’ve been a fan since the days of Chris Smith and I can’t recall any team as talented and as fun to watch as this one.
Hubert will be fine. It's not like Hurley was winning Championships his first year on the job.Can I send this post to the UNC AD?
I've been a fan since the days of Corny Thompson. It's really remarkable to see what the program has become over my lifetime. I can remember being super psyched in high school when Calhoun won the NIT. I loved the Calhoun teams, particularly the ones in the '90s. That being said, just from a pure basketball watching viewpoint, I love the last two seasons of Hurley teams just as much, if not more..it's really a beautiful brand of basketball that reminds me of they way that the Celtics played in the '80s.College sports come down to coaches.
Hurley both gets the players and gets them to buy in.
Very good coaches can do 1 of those 2 things.
Great ones do both.
This UConn team is remarkable insofar as how they play as a team.
Prior runs driven by guys like Kemba and Okafor.
This team is 8 deep. And can beat you everywhere.
I’ve been a fan since the days of Chris Smith and I can’t recall any team as talented and as fun to watch as this one.
I'm going to date myself, but Toby Kimball and Wes Bialosuknia sounded great on my transistor radio when I should have been doing homework. The current team is so much fun to watch. The coaching staff seems to be particularly adept at making adjustments at half-time and getting the players keyed in to carry out those adjustments. The start of the second half against Illinois was just incredible. Whatever magic Hurley has going, it sure has worked the last two years.I've been a fan since the days of Corny Thompson. It's really remarkable to see what the program has become over my lifetime. I can remember being super psyched in high school when Calhoun won the NIT. I loved the Calhoun teams, particularly the ones in the '90s. That being said, just from a pure basketball watching viewpoint, I love the last two seasons of Hurley teams just as much, if not more..it's really a beautiful brand of basketball that reminds me of they way that the Celtics played in the '80s.
not only are there fewer good players in the college ranks, the teams don't stay together as long. Hurley's UConn team is notable for the quality of their play as a unit at both ends of the floor.I know I am the turd in the punch bowl in the college basketball threads and maybe I have watched too much NBA, but I completely agree with this.
There’s just a noticeable talent drain for college. Maybe I am looking at it too much through the lens of the NBA draft but I think this may be the worst year in my lifetime (35 years, although the Anthony Bennett year is close)