I feel like there’s a decent group of teams with a legit chance to win the title. It’s hard to single out one as the current favorite. Although being a UK fan, I wouldn’t trade rosters with anyone at the moment. I like my team.
Who is going to win it all? Go on record ITT
- Thread starter WarEagle2727
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He put on his jesus shuttlesworth jersey against us.
Brooks has never seen a mid-range jumper he didn't like and he's not even a good shooter. His favorite shot is half a step inside the 3 pt line. Fuggin' idiot.
Day-to-day. That's Cal's response to every injury. Kid could've had his legs amputated at the knee and that would still be his response. You ain't getting any valid injury info out of that dude.
There's many front runners with a better resume than us. But I like our guard play and team play. Oscar is having an unreal season. Our fans travel better than any other program.
If we're healthy, I have to be a homer and go with UK.
If we're healthy, I have to be a homer and go with UK.
I knew Kessler had this in him. I was expecting a big second year from him whether he stayed or went. Just a bummer he went.
I think WVU’s WTF is probably a bigger one because he didn’t show he had nearly this much to offer in their uniform. Even I expected him to be good, but not this good.
For whatever reason he just didn't seem motivated at WVU. Probably because he never wanted to be there in the first place. Was steered there by his host family and other outside influences. Should've been at UK from day 1. I wouldn't be surprised if he's back next year either since draft stock for guys like him is virtually non-existent.
49% 2nd leading rebounder. We can't make a deep run without Brooks.
I defended Oscar wiht @RipThru, and I'll defend Brooks. I don't know what you guys see, but I see it differently.
He ain't 49% on 18 footers, I guarantee that. 49% for a power forward is nothing to brag about anyway. When Toppin is on his game he's way more valuable than Brooks.
I had my doubts about Gonzaga in the preseason. Didn't know if their guard play would be good enough. But, wow. They have been crazy dominant. They've been gang-raping the WCC (which is halfway decent this year, possibly 4 teams in the tournament). The ball movement for the Zags is stunning. And Chet intimidates the piss out of every offensive player that drives towards the basket.
Stylistically, Gonzaga versus Arizona would be a phenomenal matchup in the title game. Two top 10 offenses that love to get out and run. So, as of today, I'll say Gonzaga over Arizona.
Stylistically, Gonzaga versus Arizona would be a phenomenal matchup in the title game. Two top 10 offenses that love to get out and run. So, as of today, I'll say Gonzaga over Arizona.
To me it’s tiered:
Gonzaga
Auburn
Kentucky
Arizona
2nd tier
Duke
Kansas
Baylor if healthy
Purdue
Texas tech
Gonzaga
Auburn
Kentucky
Arizona
2nd tier
Duke
Kansas
Baylor if healthy
Purdue
Texas tech
He's soft and a bad defender. Routinely makes freshman mistakes as a junior. Can't dribble. Is a solid mid range shooter but takes too many of them. Brooks is the worst starter by a large margin.
I’ve got UK picked as champ right now. They need to stop picking up nagging injuries. I like how their team is built on defense and rebounding with a hard matchup to stop in Tshiebwe. They seem to get one of TyTy, Brooks, or Grady to step up every game and be that 3rd guy for them.
Yea I admit, I missed on Oscar. I was going by what I'd seen at WVU. Never thought he was a low post scorer; all his points came from Off rebounds and running the floor. Glad I was wrong.
Yeah...anyone who doesn't favor Gonzaga right now is probably kidding themselves. They might blow it, but they've got the best combo of talent and coaching.
I think last year was the only year that many were calling them the favorite. And they were in the title game.
It's not like the formula's as simple as "recruit good players--win title." Takes a lot of luck. Kentucky's had all the talent in the world but one title since the 90s. It's a little petty to dismiss a program that's played in two title games recently.
They got absolutely blasted last year. Forgive me if I can't get behind "play cupcakes all year then win the title"
They will have to prove it to me before I believe in that program. Until then, its coulda, shoulda, woulda.
What you're saying is all true and the Zags have scheduled some strong competition, but they don't play tough competition everyday. That is the reason I think they might have an off game against a mentally tough team in the tourney. I like Duke because they are talented and have coach K's swan song to dance to.
Dude, the Zags have been the most dominant program in CBB since that 2015 Final 4 that had UK, Wisconsin, Duke and MSU. They even made the Elite 8 that year.
The Zags have basically performed up to seed or overperformed their seed in the NCAAT in the last 6 years there's been a tournament.
2015: Elite 8 (2 Seed)
2016: Sweet 16 (4 Seed)
2017: National Title Game (1 Seed)
2018: Sweet 16 (4 Seed)
2019: Elite 8 (1 Seed)
2020: No Tournament
2021: National Title Game (1 Seed)
Just because they haven't won the big one yet, that doesn't mean jack squat about their chances to do it this year with their stacked team.
Why don't we doubt KU, Duke and UK instead who typically underperform seeding especially as of late? The Blue Bloods are the ones that are choking not the Zags.
They were damn close to winning it all in '17. Baylor was just on fire in the last tourney.
If you've watched them at all over the last several years, it's clear that they're getting top talent now and it's clear that Few is one of the top coaches in the country. Not sure how anybody can just dismiss that.
It's like if people were to say "Cal will never win again" based on the last several years. You probably wouldn't think that's fair.
Roy had great teams for like 17 years before breaking through. Shit happens.
Because those programs have proven they can win the big game. Over and over. Do you guys even realize Mark Few has been at Gonzaga for over 20 years? Yet I have to read post after post drooling over his team every year, for absolutely nothing.
Every blueblood has won at LEAST one title since Few has been at Gonzaga. Just remember who called them out before they have the chance to choke again this year.
I'll shut up when they prove me wrong. People have been up Cals ass. I'm sure people were up Roys before he broke through. Examples of other coaches breaking through won't help you with Few and Gonzaga. You guys keep picking them if you want. I won't.
I don’t know if I’ll pick them. I just think they’re the favorite.
Jay Wright is weird. He's a phenomenal coach who won 2 titles in 3 years (last one is one of the best teams this century) yet doesn't have a ton of tournament success otherwise.
Exactly where I am with them. Though I'm not as high on them this year as I was last year since Suggs is in the nba.
They've beaten UCLA by 20, Texas Tech by 13, blasted BYU twice and beaten San Francisco as well as St. Mary's.
Their resume is rock solid and the computer metrics back it up.
They've played 5 power conference teams, and are 3-2 in those games. I think they are legit but it's a fair point.
Thank you. Not saying they aren't a good team but the Zags slurping has gotten out of control the last few years.
Wright seems to get bounced in the 2nd round as a high seed every other year.
I think it speaks to the somewhat randomness of the tourney but also that things came together perfectly for him for a few years.
See I don't agree with that either though. They've been in the final twice in the last 5 years. They are one of the best programs in the country. I also am not as high on their team this year, though there are no dominant teams this year.
A one and done tournament is rough to judge by, but I'd expect better from a coach of his caliber year in and year out. Still would be my first call if Cal left.
Such a weird year with all the top teams having some flaws. I'm rolling with the Zags to get the job done. I like Arizona, Kentucky, Duke and Kansas too as serious contenders.
But did anyone play a tougher OOC slate than theirs? They arguably played four final four contenders. And their young talent is likely to improve throughout the year, even vs weak competition.
Look at Auburn. They play in one of the highest rated leagues and they've faced one top 20 team all year.
I don't think I've actually watched Arizona outrun than a few minutes against UT so I'll refrain from commenting on them. Of the best teams imo all have some major questions.
Gonzaga- Nembhard is just ok. No real stars at the guard spots.
Duke- No point guard, inconsistent guard play.
Kentucky- Mediocre in the half court, don't let them run and they aren't as scary.
Auburn- Average guards. Nobody scares you on offense other than Smith.
Purdue- Terrible defense. Two of their three best players being slow centers hurt.
Kenpom has them 240th at non con SOS if I'm reading it right.
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