There are two teams who I think are sleepers to advance to Sweet Sixteen and could possibly advance to Final Four. The first is Washington. Not only is this team playing well but blowing out teams on the road like Arizona and nearly upsetting NC State. This team is extremely dangerous. The second is my beloved Missouri Tigers. This team is has won 6 in a row and their confidence is really skyrocketing. I think they will beat TT and blow out Kansas to get third in Big 12 and might even win Big 12 tournament. I think this team despite their problems should not be less than a 7 seed or they are misseeded. Does anybody else have any teams they think could advance far in tournament that is off the radar screen?
I don't know if this is much of a sleeper, but Texas has impressed me tremendously all year long with their close clutch game wins, the deep bench, the size, the outside shooters, and the defense isn't too bad either. I like that head coach a lot. I think those couple early year losses to those East teams will have them focused and ready to make a run. They need to overtake Oklahoma St. first which I think they will and then take that momentum into the tourney. I just feel something with this Longhorn team this year...they have some special players. We'll see...should be an excellent tourney as always!
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I think some of the lower seeds coming from strong conferences have the best shots...agree with NC state, maybe someone like a South Carolina or even Michigan State could be dangerous. Also have respect for Gonzaga, Utah State, don't see too many "mid-majors"(weak term) that can make much of a run this year in my opinion. That Washington team has nice guards and that should put them in a position to at least win a couple of games. Good topic.
Unfortunately for the person that thought the Zags would be a fourth seed is way off! The Zags will be no lower then 3. But I definitely agree, they are great. Hopefully they dont play Stanford till the final 4, but I think they might end up playing in the elite 8.
Teams that you should look at have the following characteristics; wins on road, good rebounding teams, and good defense, above avg shooting. With 3 out of 4 of these, that team is worth a play. I like Providence. They are playing great ball right now (Hopefully they dont have a letdown against St. Johns (not a loss by any means, but I hope they cover)).
PROVIDENCE
Others;
Mich St, NC State, Kentucky, Louisville
Teams that you should look at have the following characteristics; wins on road, good rebounding teams, and good defense, above avg shooting. With 3 out of 4 of these, that team is worth a play. I like Providence. They are playing great ball right now (Hopefully they dont have a letdown against St. Johns (not a loss by any means, but I hope they cover)).
PROVIDENCE
Others;
Mich St, NC State, Kentucky, Louisville
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Maryland Bowler:
Unfortunately for the person that thought the Zags would be a fourth seed is way off! The Zags will be no lower then 3. But I definitely agree, they are great. Hopefully they dont play Stanford till the final 4, but I think they might end up playing in the elite 8.
Teams that you should look at have the following characteristics; wins on road, good rebounding teams, and good defense, above avg shooting. With 3 out of 4 of these, that team is worth a play. I like Providence. They are playing great ball right now (Hopefully they dont have a letdown against St. Johns (not a loss by any means, but I hope they cover)).
PROVIDENCE
Others;
Mich St, NC State, Kentucky, Louisville<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Kentucky? You think Kentucky won't be a top 3 seed? If they win-out, they'll be a #1 seed!
Lots of people have said NC State, and I agree. But if NC State continues their run, they might be a top 3 seed.
I like Mizzou. They've shortened their bench (partially due to injury and suspension), and this has allowed their players to establish specific roles.
The Big East has a history of lower-seeds making some noise, I think Providence and Seton Hall have a good chance.
Kansas, if they get their shit together, could go deep in the tourney. They have solid NCAA experience. Simien, Langford, and Miles have played in two Final Fours. Simien/Langford are talented enough to carry them for 3-4 games if need be. Miles isn't a good shooter, but as I said, he's played in two Final Fours. Always nice when you've got a PG who has played in the big games.
Any team from the Big 10, just because they're used to intense/physical games. Obviously, Mich St's killer schedule will help them.
Air Force...assuming they make the tourney, and assuming they get a favorable matchup. Remember, Princeton (#16 seed) almost beat Georgetown with this offense...and then Princeton got back in the tourney and beat UCLA.
Georgia...once again, assuming they make the tourney. Already have wins against Florida, Ga Tech, and two wins against Kentucky.
Speaking of Florida, they won't be a top 3 seed unless they run the table in the SEC. Anyway, they're the college version of the Dallas Mavs. Lots of talent, not much toughness. If they're making their 3-pointers, Florida can go far.
Ok, so I pretty much named half the major-conference teams that won't be a top 3 seed.
Unfortunately for the person that thought the Zags would be a fourth seed is way off! The Zags will be no lower then 3. But I definitely agree, they are great. Hopefully they dont play Stanford till the final 4, but I think they might end up playing in the elite 8.
Teams that you should look at have the following characteristics; wins on road, good rebounding teams, and good defense, above avg shooting. With 3 out of 4 of these, that team is worth a play. I like Providence. They are playing great ball right now (Hopefully they dont have a letdown against St. Johns (not a loss by any means, but I hope they cover)).
PROVIDENCE
Others;
Mich St, NC State, Kentucky, Louisville<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Kentucky? You think Kentucky won't be a top 3 seed? If they win-out, they'll be a #1 seed!
Lots of people have said NC State, and I agree. But if NC State continues their run, they might be a top 3 seed.
I like Mizzou. They've shortened their bench (partially due to injury and suspension), and this has allowed their players to establish specific roles.
The Big East has a history of lower-seeds making some noise, I think Providence and Seton Hall have a good chance.
Kansas, if they get their shit together, could go deep in the tourney. They have solid NCAA experience. Simien, Langford, and Miles have played in two Final Fours. Simien/Langford are talented enough to carry them for 3-4 games if need be. Miles isn't a good shooter, but as I said, he's played in two Final Fours. Always nice when you've got a PG who has played in the big games.
Any team from the Big 10, just because they're used to intense/physical games. Obviously, Mich St's killer schedule will help them.
Air Force...assuming they make the tourney, and assuming they get a favorable matchup. Remember, Princeton (#16 seed) almost beat Georgetown with this offense...and then Princeton got back in the tourney and beat UCLA.
Georgia...once again, assuming they make the tourney. Already have wins against Florida, Ga Tech, and two wins against Kentucky.
Speaking of Florida, they won't be a top 3 seed unless they run the table in the SEC. Anyway, they're the college version of the Dallas Mavs. Lots of talent, not much toughness. If they're making their 3-pointers, Florida can go far.
Ok, so I pretty much named half the major-conference teams that won't be a top 3 seed.
[q]Lots of people have said NC State, and I agree. But if NC State continues their run, they might be a top 3 seed.[/q]
I just don't see NC St getting a seed higher than 4 and I cannot possibly see them doing any real damage in the dance either. I know most of this is hypothetical without matchups, but NC St has major trouble on the road and has lot to such powerhouses as BC and Clemson. Tough to be bad on the road and win in the tournament.
eX
I just don't see NC St getting a seed higher than 4 and I cannot possibly see them doing any real damage in the dance either. I know most of this is hypothetical without matchups, but NC St has major trouble on the road and has lot to such powerhouses as BC and Clemson. Tough to be bad on the road and win in the tournament.
eX
Examiner,
NC State lost to South Carolina and UNC, on the road, by a combined 5 points. Lost to BC in OT.
But, on the road
They have beaten Maryland, Florida State(only team to do so) Nationally ranked Ga Tech, Virginia...
They actually are above average on the road.
Also, the Ncaa tourney will be played on neutral sites. This will not be a "road" atmosphere.
Action
NC State lost to South Carolina and UNC, on the road, by a combined 5 points. Lost to BC in OT.
But, on the road
They have beaten Maryland, Florida State(only team to do so) Nationally ranked Ga Tech, Virginia...
They actually are above average on the road.
Also, the Ncaa tourney will be played on neutral sites. This will not be a "road" atmosphere.
Action
Ga Tech, Wake Forest. Both ACC teams can score lots of points in bunches and NCAA tourney games are decided (straight up) much more often than not by the team that puts together the greater scoring run. In tourney games, teams that are on short end of hot shooting opponent press offensively and before you know it a 16-2 burst has been thrown up in your face and game is done. Both mentioned teams have depth and a multitude of quality shooters thus reliance on one or two stars HAVING to perform is not as essential for these teams(look at ND with Thomas--he plays poorly team losses, period). I'd throw UNC into this mix, however, no bench causes defensive lapses(HC Williams so frustrated by lapses of intensity) thus Heels susceptible to a major run against them.
Arizona most likely won't be a top 3 seed, thus they're in the mix. Olsen publicly scolded, embarassed team in public sighting lack of heart. This team regains any semblance of passion in tourney and Stoudamire has head into game then a Final Four trip is no surprise. Does this team have any heart?
Seton Hall. Love Barrett at the point and believe this team has a few seniors(Toney-El, Sweet, Barrett) that have been battle tested. Luis Orr doing a good job off Exit 12 off Jersey turnpike and this sleeper from Big East will surprise if Whitney(soph inside force plays solid and avoids the dreaded early foul syndrome).
Arizona most likely won't be a top 3 seed, thus they're in the mix. Olsen publicly scolded, embarassed team in public sighting lack of heart. This team regains any semblance of passion in tourney and Stoudamire has head into game then a Final Four trip is no surprise. Does this team have any heart?
Seton Hall. Love Barrett at the point and believe this team has a few seniors(Toney-El, Sweet, Barrett) that have been battle tested. Luis Orr doing a good job off Exit 12 off Jersey turnpike and this sleeper from Big East will surprise if Whitney(soph inside force plays solid and avoids the dreaded early foul syndrome).
Does anyone think Missouri can get up to being a possible 4 seed if they win at Texas Tech and beat Ku and win the Big 12 Tournament? The reason I ask is if they can, they could be placed for the 1st and 2nd rounds in Kansas City and if they are put into Midwest region, they finals are in St. Louis! If this scenario happens, they might not have to leave the state of Missouri to reach the final four. Any thoughts?
