Post by gorvy on Mar 29, 2014 0:01:17 GMT -5
I realize the ncaa tournament has lost some of its luster since Siena is still playing, but we have a great elite eight field. The perfect mix of quality teams, upstart blue bloods and a high mid major still alive. In fact, this elite eight field has a crazy factor (seed value-chalk) of 24 which tops last year's crazy factor of 16 by 8 digits. (Compare that to 2012's crazy factor of just 9). But who will win it all this year?
With all the madness 3 out of my original 6 title contenders still remain, and I am still very confident your champion will come from one of these three even though only one of them can make it to the championship game. They are the only ones left that possess a strong offense AND defense, an experienced NCAA tournament coach, a good path and blue blood favoritism:
Michigan -- 2 seed, won 10 out of 11, have 8 seed Kentucky to reach final 4. 75 PPG, give up 65 PPG, coach Beilein has four sweet sixteen or better finishes.
Arizona --- 1 seed, 11-3 last 14, 73 PPG, give up 58 PPG, coach Sean Miller has five sweet sixteen or better finishes.
Wisconsin --2 seed 12-2 last 14, 74 PPG, give up 64 PPG, coach Bo Ryan has six sweet sixteen or better finishes. Wisconsin plays Arizona next, so one of these two teams will be in the final four.
Next 2
These two have had some luck along the way, and each draw relatively weak opponents to reach the final four. They may not have all of the title qualities but were hot teams heading into tourney:
Michigan state -- won Big 10 tournament, 4 seed
Florida--- 1 seed, won 29 in a row in relatively weak SEC, avg 71 PPG
One of the above two teams will likely be in the championship game.
I would be shocked if the champion fell outside the above groups.
11 seed Dayton
7 seed Connecticut
8 seed Kentucky
With all the madness 3 out of my original 6 title contenders still remain, and I am still very confident your champion will come from one of these three even though only one of them can make it to the championship game. They are the only ones left that possess a strong offense AND defense, an experienced NCAA tournament coach, a good path and blue blood favoritism:
Michigan -- 2 seed, won 10 out of 11, have 8 seed Kentucky to reach final 4. 75 PPG, give up 65 PPG, coach Beilein has four sweet sixteen or better finishes.
Arizona --- 1 seed, 11-3 last 14, 73 PPG, give up 58 PPG, coach Sean Miller has five sweet sixteen or better finishes.
Wisconsin --2 seed 12-2 last 14, 74 PPG, give up 64 PPG, coach Bo Ryan has six sweet sixteen or better finishes. Wisconsin plays Arizona next, so one of these two teams will be in the final four.
Next 2
These two have had some luck along the way, and each draw relatively weak opponents to reach the final four. They may not have all of the title qualities but were hot teams heading into tourney:
Michigan state -- won Big 10 tournament, 4 seed
Florida--- 1 seed, won 29 in a row in relatively weak SEC, avg 71 PPG
One of the above two teams will likely be in the championship game.
I would be shocked if the champion fell outside the above groups.
11 seed Dayton
7 seed Connecticut
8 seed Kentucky
