Are they for real? (teams in the top 15)

[runt#69]

Gonzaga : Look at the schedule they've played. That is some seriously weak and questionable opponents for a team that is ranked #3.

Question : Do the Zags' really deserve to be ranked that high, or did they just get elevated to that position by default when others ahead of them lost because they played REAL competition?

My answer to that is they ABSOLUTELY do not belong to be that high on the list. The way the polls work is laughable, getting a team to such a high ranking just because other, better, and more deserving teams lose to much, much, MUCH, better competition. If they get a #1 seed, they'll end up just like they did in 2013, I've no doubt.

Utah : Got exposed abit against Arizona, but I suspect that with the way they play defense, and with Delon Wright as a very capable PG to lead the way and steady the ship when needed, they're a legit second tier team this year that could make some noise. Poeltl is also a very serviceable 7 footer, the team is not a one man show, in my opinion. Good for Utah, hope they keep it up in the Pac12.

Question : What's your take on the Utes' ?

Maryland : Looks like they hit the B10 at the right time in a down year to make a big splash. Melo Trimble has been taking over at the end of games for them, and has been clutch for the Terps this year. He's getting more national recognition as it should be. I've only seen them play once this year, so I'm not sure how good they are, but they may be underrated at the present moment. If they keep winning, it looks like it's going to be hard to keep them out of the discussion for a really high seed come March.

Questions : What do you think of Maryland this year? Deep run, quick exit, or will they do about what you'd expect with the seeding they're likely to get?

Villanova : Loss to Hoyas' reinforced my opinion that they are overrated, but if they rebound well, they could end up being overseeded by the committee (again) this year. I say they're pretenders and are overrated for the time being. They're a top 16 team, 4 seed, at best, in my opinion.

Question : Overrated and likely overseeded come March? Or do you think they'll come back down and people will see them for what they are?

Thanks for your responses and feedback !

Go Big Blue !

 

[StubbornPenny]

I want the free time you have. I've only seen the Zags-Zona game and the Zags looked like all the other Zag teams I've seen. Dudes that can shoot but will get exposed on defense and flame out in the sweet 16 at best.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

Zags played better against Zona than Utah yet you drew different conclusions. Zags MAY make elite 8 depending on draw. Don't see anyone beating them the first weekend.

 

[sefus12]

This Gonzaga team has a lot of talent this year. I don't know if they are top-4 in the country, but they are big, athletic (yes, despite Wiltjer and the big Polish guy), can shoot, and play very well together. Again, I don't know if they are top-4, but they had Arizona beat on Arizona's home court and gave the game away late in regulation and in OT. I know their schedule is weak, but they are certainly one of the better teams I've seen this year.

 

[caneintally]

i have seen all those teams play at least 3-4 times and i will say Nova is a top 10 team nothing more nothing less. Utah is a top 25 team but not top 15. Maryland is in the exact right spot IMO and Gonzaga is a top 10 team but not as good as teams like Duke , UK , Wisconsin , UVA ect .

 

[runt#69]

Hey, thanks for the input guys. Maybe I've been too hard on the Zags', I'll reconsider them, but my gut tells me they will end up like they did in 13'. As for the rest, they'll have their chances at proving themselves more for the better or worse as we go along. Maybe I'm just too biased as UK is having an awesome year and we have looked so good ! Comparing everyone else to the standard our Cats' have set might be a *tad* unfair ...

Transitioning to a new doctors all around here (neuro, cancer docs the most important) has given me even more free time than I would like to have. I'd trade all my free time to be cancer free and have good health, without a doubt. I'm sure I'll find a couple down here that can get me feelin' better. It's been a rough new year so far.

 

[Mojocat]

^^Continued good luck and best wishes in that battle, runt.....

 

[MdWIldcat55]

Would love a bracket in which any three of the teams you mentioned were the 2-4 seed. Alas, that one is set aside for Duke.

 

[BoulderCat]

I think Gonzaga is for real. I thought Utah was overrated. I think Maryland should be higher, and I'm very suspect of Villanova. The Zags are used to the whole "east coast" thing. Most people back there hardly ever see them play, aren't familiar with the schools they do play, and just dismiss them because they aren't in a "big 5" conference. Same stuff said about Wichita St who took us to the wire last year.

I still think the top 4 teams in the country are the one's who started there. UK, Duke, Arizona, and Wisconsin. Though Duke is 2 games behind in the ACC I still think all 4 are in good position to end up a #1 except Arizona. The Zags are probably going to have to lose for that to happen unless Arizona runs the table from here on. Then that the OT win they have at home against Gonzaga could make the difference.

 

[runt#69]

Thanks for the kind wishes, everyone (as always)

Hey, not for the purposes of bumping my own thread, but just to keep my observations in the same thread, I was thinking about a couple other teams/players that have piqued my interest as the year rolls along ....

1) Looks like Badger fans were right about Bronson Koenig (so far, at least) he's done well with Traveon Jackson out. He's averaged 12 pts and had only 1 TO and has made 6/10 3 pt. shots in 71 minutes of action.

2) I really like the way Stanley Johnson plays. He's a stud. Plays really hard and is just a good all-around player whenever I've seen Zona' play.

3) Just how, exactly, does Kansas State make it 4-2 and near the top of the Big12? Is the Big12 overrated, KSU just suddenly playing great, or are they playing over the top of their head readying for a plummet, or something else at play here? Help me to understand, my friends !

4) Anyone paying any attention to the AAC? Looks like SMU and Tulsa will battle it out for the title, UConn looks to me that they will miss the NCAAT entirely, and Memphis .... well, mom taught me that if I can't say anything good about someone, then it's best just to say anything at all....

5) Indiana. I don't like seeing them have any success at all, but if it's *just* enough to keep Crean around, I'm all for it.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Originally posted by runt#69:
Thanks for the kind wishes, everyone (as always)

Hey, not for the purposes of bumping my own thread, but just to keep my observations in the same thread, I was thinking about a couple other teams/players that have piqued my interest as the year rolls along ....

1) Looks like Badger fans were right about Bronson Koenig (so far, at least) he's done well with Traveon Jackson out. He's averaged 12 pts and had only 1 TO and has made 6/10 3 pt. shots in 71 minutes of action.

2) I really like the way Stanley Johnson plays. He's a stud. Plays really hard and is just a good all-around player whenever I've seen Zona' play.

3) Just how, exactly, does Kansas State make it 4-2 and near the top of the Big12? Is the Big12 overrated, KSU just suddenly playing great, or are they playing over the top of their head readying for a plummet, or something else at play here? Help me to understand, my friends !

4) Anyone paying any attention to the AAC? Looks like SMU and Tulsa will battle it out for the title, UConn looks to me that they will miss the NCAAT entirely, and Memphis .... well, mom taught me that if I can't say anything good about someone, then it's best just to say anything at all....

5) Indiana. I don't like seeing them have any success at all, but if it's *just* enough to keep Crean around, I'm all for it.

1. Go Wisconsin, go. I would not mind if Duke and Wisconsin won all but say one of the rest of their games. I'm not scared of either, but them getting 1 seeds spares me breaking stuff on selection Sunday when one is unfairly put in UK's bracket as the 2 seed even though we should get the easiest 2 seed.
2. I like Johnson, and Arizona has kinda been forgotten. They have 2 losses for goodness sake.
3. K-State was supposed to be better this year, building off last year's tournament appearance. That said, they were like FL and UCONN OOC and lost several they should not have, but seem to be doing well in conference play. They played neck and neck AT ISU last night. They are clearly not the cupcake some make them out to be on here when using K-State as a reason the Big XII is overrated. That logic does not fly with me because by that some logic UT doing so well in the SEC means the SEC is worst than we all thought.
4. Memphis has won a couple in a row now...they may not be done yet. It all comes down to the tournament man. UCONN or Memphis will probably win that IMO. Probably those idiots from UCONN.
5. IU is benefiting from a down Big Ten. They are about to hit the rough part of their schedule though...so look for the losses to mount. They are losing 10+ games, make no mistake about it. No worries there.

 

[ganner918]

You can question the ability of the computers to judge teams with weak schedules, but Gonzaga is #8 in the RPI, #3 in Sagarin, #3 in KenPom. That said, even if they are legit, lack of competition before the tournament will hurt them.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Originally posted by ganner918:
You can question the ability of the computers to judge teams with weak schedules, but Gonzaga is #8 in the RPI, #3 in Sagarin, #3 in KenPom. That said, even if they are legit, lack of competition before the tournament will hurt them.

They almost lost to powerhouse Pepperdine. Gonzaga got some tough competition there!

 

[ukalum]

Originally posted by BoulderCat:
I think Gonzaga is for real. I thought Utah was overrated. I think Maryland should be higher, and I'm very suspect of Villanova. The Zags are used to the whole "east coast" thing. Most people back there hardly ever see them play, aren't familiar with the schools they do play, and just dismiss them because they aren't in a "big 5" conference. Same stuff said about Wichita St who took us to the wire last year.

I still think the top 4 teams in the country are the one's who started there. UK, Duke, Arizona, and Wisconsin. Though Duke is 2 games behind in the ACC I still think all 4 are in good position to end up a #1 except Arizona. The Zags are probably going to have to lose for that to happen unless Arizona runs the table from here on. Then that the OT win they have at home against Gonzaga could make the difference.

Wichita St. was a 1 seed and UK was a 8 seed. In 2004, UK took UAB to the wire.