🏀 March Madness: The Final Four

We beat SC twice and SC beats Duke somebody figure that **** out.
UofSC beat the hell out of Duke when it came to the offensive boards. Alabama beat UofSC twice by? Same way the 'Cocks beat the Blue Devils--tough underneath the boards, strong defense.

I heard Frank Martin say "the league play prepared us for this game." How much of that is due to the two losses against the Tide?
 
SEC ... this close to having four teams in the Sweet 16. I know the officiating was questionable, at best, in the UNC vs Arkansas game but the Hogs blew that one.
 
After Kenny Smith at halftime of the SC/Duke game said all his mentors in coaching were wrong, defense doesn't win anymore, SC goes out in the second half and hands it to mighty Duke. Oh, nevermind, defense is still plenty important.
 
Oh, nevermind, defense is still plenty important.
Adding to that a bit ...

Bama held the Gamecocks to 57 (in regulation) and 53 in the two meetings this season. Did you catch how many points UofSC scored on Duke in the second half? 65.

Now, Duke put up over 50 in the second half so defense wasn't really existent for either team.
 
Adding to that a bit ...

Bama held the Gamecocks to 57 (in regulation) and 53 in the two meetings this season. Did you catch how many points UofSC scored on Duke in the second half? 65.

Now, Duke put up over 50 in the second half so defense wasn't really existent for either team.

You still have to score, it is the nature of the sport and SC shot 71 % in the second half. But SC defense forced turnovers and they exposed the dukies at point guard. None of that happens unless you are the better of the 2 at playing defense. I mean dukes defense collapsed in the second half, couldn't handle the pressure and SC was the tougher team.
 
Ken Pom's projections

Thursday

Oregon 70, Michigan 69 (52%). LV line = Michigan -1/147
Gonzaga 76, WVU 72 (64%). Gon -3.5/148.5
Kansas 79, Purdue 77 (56%). KS -5/156.5
Arizona 73, Xavier 69 (65%). AZ -7/144.5

Friday

N. Carolina 77, Butler 73 (65%). UNC -8/152.5
Baylor 65, S. Carolina 61 (65%). Bay -4/136.5
Kentucky 88, UCLA 86 (59%). UCLA -1.5/168.5
Florida 66, Wisconsin 63 (62%). FL -1/131.5
 
I can't really put my finger on why I feel this way but I do. I took pleasure in seeing Bob Huggins team lose last night and that has nothing to do with WVU. It's all about a strong dislike for Huggins.

I wonder how many people around the nation will be rooting for UofSC tonight. A lot I'm thinking. And, I don't think it's due to a team no one expected to be there doing well. I'm thinking it's a subconscious thing with a lot of anger felt towards Baylor University.
 
If Florida can make it to the Final Four with Gonzaga and Kansas I will win a nice little pot with some old buddies. If Kentucky can make it past UCLA then I'll win a major pot with a bunch of friends, acquaintances and such. Kentucky getting to the Final Four is icing on the cake for me. Kansas winning it all, and Kentucky, Florida, and Gonzaga in the Final Four with Gonzaga losing to Kanasas.
 
Hard to believe Bama beat the Cocks twice. I couldn't understand why we couldn't even slow Thornwell down even though he was their only option (the 3OT game at SC). Now I know why we couldn't, dude reminds me of Mark Aguirre for some reason. Plays much bigger than he is.
 
Oh gawd! Now we've got "fake reports" to go with "fake news." 'Merica.



"...it doesn't get much better" than being at UCLA. Hmm. From purely a basketball view, is Indiana a better basketball situation?
 
I know a lot don't like ol' Verne, but I'm happy for him this morning. He's looking at calling at least one more SEC vs SEC game Sunday and I have to admit it would be pretty cool for him to close out his career calling basketball games with a SEC vs SEC Championship game.
 
Back
Top Bottom