The Road To The NCAA Final Four....& March Madness!

[EagerBeaver]

Final Four!

Well, it's official, all four #1 seeds were knocked out prior to the Final 4.

At this point, I like Florida to win it all, most likely against LSU in an all-SEC championship game. Please note Florida beat LSU badly twice in the regular season.

George Mason will obviously be everyone's sentimental favorite, but I think Florida has a team better equipped to play and beat them than UConn did.

Florida is the overall most talented of the Final 4 teams, but it's young talent, which has not played young as of yet. I always go with the most talented team to win.

 

[kenf]

uconn outcoached

Obviously Jim Calhoun is a great coach. Today the GM coach outcoached him especially on the offensive end. As EB said inside and outside. This is my opinon on why this was possible. GM moved their post game out from the low block area, about 3 feet higher towards the foul line and 3 feet out from the lane line. This posting position gave GM two options that normally big players do not have to guard; 1. You saw the GM post players use power dribbles to influence the UConn defenders in a direction and then would either jump hook over them or drop step for a power move to the baseline, 2. This also allowed the GM post players to face the basket and use their quickness with dribble drives to the basket of 2 or 3 dribbles. These tactics were extremly successful in the first 11 minutes of the second half. UConn made adjustments to this by trying to use the defenders on the post feeder to double down. In about a 3 minute span GM hit several 3's because the guards were then open.

I feel the biggest play of the game was when the GM guard drove the length of the floor at the end of the first half and scored and got fouled and made the foul shot. That made a 15-5 run for UConn in the last 3 minutes of the half. This 3 point play, I believe, gave GM just enough momentum to spring the upset.

UConn lost the game in two places. Between the ears, I think they felt because they have Connecticut written on their shirts they would win. You still need to respect your opponent. Also they lost because they did not play with heart in any game until they were down and it was a matter of survival. Time ran out!!

I also believe that Florida now has the most talent and will win. However, I also felt UConn would win. That's why you play the games!! What a great tournament!

 

[CryWolf]

Joakim Noah is the son of Yannick Noah, famous french tennisman who won Roland Garros in 1983. He is now a succesful singer in France.

The gangly Joakim is the same fiery player as his father was and he seems to have the same trademark tooth gap smile that made Yannick famous in his heydays.

The mother of Joakim is a stunning swedish model named Cecilia (if my memory serves me right).

I did not know that this frenchman could play at this level. I'm sure his dad and sister were in attendance, they are so close.

 

[EagerBeaver]

CW,

Yannick lives in France and watched the game via satellite over there, but I heard he may attend the Final Four.

 

[CryWolf]

CW,

Yannick lives in France and watched the game via satellite over there, but I heard he may attend the Final Four.

Thanks for the info EB.

I'm sure french media will pick that feat of Joakim and make headlines in France like Paris Match (my favorite news magazine):

"A frenchman in the biggest college tournament, BLA, BLA"

They have Tony Parker, now there is Joakim. But I can't see Noah playing in the NBA though, as a forward he will get tossed around like a matchstick.

 

[EagerBeaver]

CryWolf,

Joakim Noah is a sophomore and a major NBA prospect. He has terrific skills and for a sophomore his body looks good. I have not seen too many 6'11" guys who can run the court and handle the rock like he can. He'll play in the NBA.

 

[CryWolf]

CryWolf,

Joakim Noah is a sophomore and a major NBA prospect. He has terrific skills and for a sophomore his body looks good. I have not seen too many 6'11" guys who can run the court and handle the rock like he can. He'll play in the NBA.

EB,

You are an expert, I can't argue with you.

I forgot that a guy like Tayshaun Prince had found his niche in the NBA, but he is quicker and he can shoot whereas Joakim just hovers in the paint and put back loose balls or gets his baskets in transitions.

BTW, there was a great game between NJ and Detroit tonite on TV, NJ are staying hot, they won 79-74.

Come NBA playoffs, you should open a thread. Kenf and you would be our analysts.

 

[HonestAbe]

I thought the #1 seeds were weak but this is ridiculous

I admit that I never pictured this. I did predict accurately that Duke and 'Nova would not make the Final four and UConn was 50/50 at best, but I definitely thought the #1 seeds would have AT LEAST one representative(Memphis) in the Final Four. For every one of them to lose was unimaginable to me but ESPN reported tonight that it actually has happened one other time. In 1980, the year after the current selection process began for the tournament. So it is not a first, but its been over a quarter century since it happened the only other time. Its absolutely wild to think the Big East has been totally shut out of the Final Four after the selection committee saw fit to give them 8 berths! The equally overhyped ACC was embarassed as well.

I admit that I thought UConn might well ride a seeming fairy tale to a championship and was fully expecting that last second overtime desperation 3-pointer to drop just like the others they had made to pull their fat from the fire earlier in this tournament. But when it bounced off the rim it became clear that their luck had finally run out. On all the post game analysis shows on ESPN there was a sudden and amazing new found respect across the board of panelists for the "Mid-major programs", who had smugly predicted that the final four would consist of at least three #1 seeds.

I guess the Crow was flying scared tonight when it heard it was about to be eaten by 2,999,996 of the 3,000,000 people who turned in brackets to ESPN picking the Final Four. Thats right, a grand total of 4 people got the Final Four correct, out of 3 million who tried in ESPN's contest. There was obviously a disconnect between the experts and reality this year, not that there isn't some every year but this was on a monumental scale.

I'm looking forward to some good basketball in the Final Four. The matchups are more intriguing than any year in recent memory because of the lack of #1 seeds. I think in the end that this will be a huge shot in the arm for NCAA basketball because we won't be seeing the usual suspects. If you are a UConn fan, or a Duke fan you will probably still watch but not only will they watch but a lot of people who are sick of seeing them will watch as well bringing the action to a perhaps more diverse, more interested audience.

 

[kenf]

thoughts about tomorrow's final four

Thirty hours too tip off!

I predict LSU over UCLA. Both teams are very good defensively. However, I believe that LSU has the type of players that can make more contested shots then UCLA. I think open shots will be hard to come by. I am also a little concerned by Farmar's ability, or lack of, to run UCLA offense. I think he is a weak link on that team and the point guard position has to be solid too win a championship

Florida over GM. GM has made this an interesting tournament. Florida just has too much talent for GM to handle. The Gator's balance on offense and deep team will do in George Mason.

TRY A NEW WAY OF WATCHING THE GAMES. I have been involved with basketball at many levels for several years. I have had the opportunities too meet several high profile coaches and converse with them. Several years ago several of us were in a conversation with Bob Knight. One coach asked him about making adjustments during the game. His response was when you watch basketball do not watch the ball. Watch the other 8 players because the result of the possession is most often determined by what happens away from the ball. He continued to say that he felt it was more iinformative and you , in many cases, could then know the reason for the success or failure of the play and therefore know what adjustments your team needs. You will still always see the ball just focus on the action away from the ball.

I have watched games like this for several years and even when not coaching I have found it too be a more informative and enjoyable way to watch.

If anyone tries it let me know what you think. I only bring it up in hopes that
it may help some enjoy the games more

 

[EagerBeaver]

Thirty hours too tip off!

I predict LSU over UCLA. Both teams are very good defensively. However, I believe that LSU has the type of players that can make more contested shots then UCLA. I think open shots will be hard to come by. I am also a little concerned by Farmar's ability, or lack of, to run UCLA offense. I think he is a weak link on that team and the point guard position has to be solid too win a championship

Florida over GM. GM has made this an interesting tournament. Florida just has too much talent for GM to handle. The Gator's balance on offense and deep team will do in George Mason.

kenf,

I agree with your predictions, I also have Florida over LSU in the final. Florida trounced LSU in both regular season meetings.

Of course, anything can happen and I would really like to see GMU go all the way, which would be one of the major stories in college basketball history if it were to happen.

 

[CryWolf]

The championship game will be on in a few hours. After having watched the Final Four, I can safely predict that UCLA will win a hotly contested match-up.

Players that have impressed me are Farmar, Afflalo and Mbah A Moute (only 5 years of organised BB under the belt, talk about talent) and I think the backcourt of UCLA is stronger than that of Florida.

Other plus : UCLA's bench is also deeper and I think Hollins will be able to handle Noah.

But, this is college ball, strangest things have happened, a toss of the coin could also do the job!!

 

[kenf]

Gators

These two teams are evenly matched. This has the potential to be one of the most hotly contested championship games in a while.

Both teams play very good defense, everone talks about UCLA's defense and pretty much ignores Florida's. Each team has a different approach to defense. They both execute their particular style very well. I feel that the Florida team offense is superior to that of UCLA. But I think the biggest factor is that Florida has the ability to score in 4 ways: defensive pressure, fast break conversions, excellent half-court game, profecient from the foul line. I believe that UCLA lacks in one category and that is the ability to consistently score in fast break conversions.

I agree with crywolf that trying too find an advantage for either team is like splitting hairs.

I have picked Florida. Because I do not have any bets on the game I don't care who wins. I'm hoping for a close crisply played game.

However, I do wish it started at 8:21 rather than 9:21. The heck with the west coast!

 

[EagerBeaver]

Gators Coach Billy Donovan

On the eve of tipoff, I offer some personal thoughts on Florida Gators coach Billy Donovan.

Donovan and I are about the same age, and in fact we were college contemporaries. I saw Donovan play for the first time when he was a freshman at Providence College, approximately 1983. At the time Providence was one of the weaker teams in the Big East conference. Donovan was 5'10" maybe on a good day, pudgy, slow, and did not look to me like he belonged in college basketball, never mind in the Big East. In that first game I saw him play, he was overwhelmed offensively and defensively and virtually booed off the court. For the life of me I could not understand why he was playing anything more than mop up/walk on type minutes. I assumed I would not see him again after that season, at least not in the Big East.

Fast forward to 1987. Donovan's senior year at Providence. He gets into shape, becomes one of the deadliest three point shooters in all of college basketball, averages nearly 25 points per game, and along with Coach Rick Pitino, his mentor, leads Providence to the Final 4 - the only one they have been to in the last 33 years. I was stunned by the transformation Donovan had made from the pudgy freshman who did not look like he belonged on the Court, to arguably a Player of the Year candidate who led his team to the Final 4 as a senior.

Fast forward to 2006. Donovan now leads a young, talented but overachieving Florida team into the championship game. And he now has a chance for the ring that eluded him as player in 1987.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Congtatulations Florida Gators

2006 NCAA National Champions

MOP- Joakim Noah, 16 points, 6 blocks

 

[CryWolf]

2006 NCAA National Champions

MOP- Joakim Noah, 16 points, 6 blocks

Congrats to you and kenf, you predicted the Gators to win.

That was a "yawn" boring "yawn" final, it was a no-contest game and dunk-o-fest drill.

Only Farmar showed up for the game, the rest were like deers caught in the headlights of passing cars.

Florida was running on high-octane gatorade and played the perfect game to rout the Bruins.

I have one question though: was it okay for the guys to continue dunking on these poor Bruins at the end of the game?

Yannick was in the stands to watch his son, it was worth the trip from Paris. Didn't see mom Cecilia, I wonder how this MILF looks like now?

 

[kenf]

Florida's execution

You play the entire game. If you don't want too be dunked on at the end of the game don't throw in the towel like UCLA did. Athletes are trained too play the full 40 minutes. I think it is more embarrassing for the losing team if you just stand there and pass the ball around and don't continue too play. I don't see this as bad sportsmanship!

UCLA could not score easy baskets (fast break baskets). As a matter of fact they had several turnovers trying to do so. I predicted in an earlier thread this might happen.

Brewer dominated the perimeter on defense and Noah dominated the inside. They were great. I believe the key too Florida's offense was there unbelievable execution of the half-court offense, especially early in the game when they set the tone. The cuttter's were coming off the screens just as the screener was making contact with the defense and the passeres were hitting the cutters as they had space to catch and shoot. Even the best defensive teams will not stop an offense who can consistently execute the way the Gators did last night.

Hats off to the Gators they saved their best for last!

Posting the last few weeks has been fun. Time too go back into hibernation.

 

[spin]

Well done Gators! Not bad for a team that lost 3 starters to the NBA last year - Not just a footbal school anymore.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Sleeper Teams, 2007 Tourney

Here are my sleeper teams:

Georgetown, East Regional - I think the Hoyas are playing great hoops and it says here they will make it to the final 4. They have a huge frontline, 6''9, 6'9" and 7'2", and all 3 guys can play and they play smart. They run a Princeton offense with much better athletes. Blew away an excellent, veteran Pitt team for the Big East championship in most impressive fashion.

Memphis, South Regional - possibly the most athletic team in the country which has won 22 games in a row. They will make the Final 4.

Oregon- Red hot team, which won the PAC 10 tourney in lights out fashion. They are in Florida's regional but I like them to get to the Elite 8 where they will lose lose to Florida.

Hard to bet against Florida but keep in mind they almost lost to Georgetown in last year's tournament, it was actually their only close game.

 

[kenf]

no uconn

Sorry EB uconn didn't make it to the dance. I also think they were left out of the NIT. I haven't checked the NIT closely.

The NCAA has about 15 teams that can beat any other team. However, I only see about 7 teams that have enough diversification in their game to win 6 in a row, Florida, Georgetown, Kansas, North Carlolina, Wisconsin, U.C.L.A., Ohio State.

My pick is Florida because I think they have the talent, defense and rebounding. Also they got a mental wake up call when they struggled near the end of the season. They now realize that they can't live on last year's success!

Early round upsets. I take Winthrop and So. Illinois to get to the sweet 16.
I have seen Winthrop live this year and they can play.

I would like Texas but when you ask a freshmen to do so much it worries me.

 

[K Douglas]

I just read up on the East region. NC,Georgetown,Texas the favourites there. NC has 3 starting freshman as does Texas. I think this plays into G'town perfectly. They have size, good defense, good coaching and a hot hand in Jeff Green. I like their chances for sure. Watch out for the #6 seed Vanderbilt, they could be a sleeper. They hit 286 3's this year playing in a tough SEC. All Sr's and Jr's too.
Upset - Oral Roberts over Wash St. The #14 has 2 great players in Caleb Green and Ken Tutt who can light it up. That could throw Washington off their game.