Monday Morning Madness Thoughts
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What a start to the tournament. I just want to say how relieved, excited, exhausted & proud I am that we made the Sweet 16. Feels like a monkey off our back after the last 3 tournaments have given us a lot of dark moments. Last night was the best night of sleep I’ve gotten in close to a week. The anxious days waiting for the games, then the games are here and the suspense of waiting even longer due to OT games. It’s all lived up to what I thought it could be and more. And it makes it even sweeter knowing we are still dancing.
The way the bracket has broken up how can we not feel a little confidence?? I don’t remember us having a more favorable path to the Final 4 then we potentially have. All hands on deck for Providence which is a team we matchup with extremely well at every position. Kenpom ranks them #33, #32 offense, #58 defense. On the other side of the bracket potentially waiting are Iowa St and Miami (Kenpom #37 and #42 ranked teams). We know Iowa St & I hope they beat Miami.
Providence shoots 43% from the field as a team. They don’t have a star & their big plays back to the basket. Nothing flashy about this teams identity. It’s a collection of experienced players that have maxed out their abilities and have good chemistry. The key matchups looks like Jalen Wilson vs Noah Horchler & Dave vs Nate Watson. Horchler is basically Wilson with a better 3 pt shot so that matchup is very important. He can stretch it as we’ve seen in their two wins so far. Nate Watson can go off (8, 20 pt games this season) so keeping Dave out of foul trouble seems very important to controlling the paint. Watson for as big as he is, is not a good rebounder (only 5 a game). Self with 6 days to prepare, I’m betting on him every time.
How’s everyone doing after the first weekend? Confident?? Hopeful??
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I’m glad we get the first game in Chicago so that we don’t have to wait on any more potential overtime games! It will be nice to play a game on schedule and for the players to be able to count on a pregame routine. But really it will help MY anxiety as I await the tip off! Would have liked to play Thursday just so we don’t have to wait as long. I’m cautiously optimistic because I’ve felt all year like this teams floor is very high even if their ceiling isn’t. The big 12 has shown even in it’s losses that every game in conference was indeed an absolute battle. That loss to TCU doesn’t look so bad watching how they handled Arizona.
Little worried what might happen if every team from here on out takes Creighton’s “don’t guard the point guard” strategy but hoping Remy put that to bed at least when he is in the game. Harris will NEED a counter, whether it’s making a couple 3s or exploiting the space they give him with a drive and kick or floater or something.
Glad to see my thoughts on officiating are NOT only related to my crimson and blue glasses as I saw so much TERRIBLE officiating in four days. I’d say the Baylor/NC game was probably the worst but I’d be hard pressed to tell you the best… Maybe KU games honestly??? Here’s hoping KU gets a little Big 12 Karma for some of the crap calls/no-calls in the TCU, Iowa State, and Texas games.
I find it very difficult to like the TCU big man but he did play great against Arizona. With that said, Arizona’s post game celebrations made me hope they lose as soon as possible.
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Self’s record in the first game of each 4 team tourney is pretty good. They get more time to prepare and the best coaches seem to always do well. The Creighton game to me was less preparation time and that team after losing their big man had to go with chuck 3s and hope they go in. So even the scouting report on the team was probably chucked out the window.
So again I’m pretty confident for Friday’s game but already stressed about Sundays if it is Miami. Less prep time and athletes.
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Couldn’t agree more about the officiating. The TCU end of game is just a horrible look on an easy call to make. I saw good chunks or all of most games in the last 4 days and I don’t know what the rule book is anymore.
Examples: Michigan St with 4 team fouls, questionable hack under the basket. Looked like he got some ball on the steal attempt. Call it a good foul call. 2 consecutive fouls called without the ball being inbounded after to get Duke to the bonus. Saw lots of social media commenting on that sequence.
Purdue shot 70 something free throws in 2 games including 46 against Texas. Texas had something like 13 attempts. We all know Texas fouls like it’s their job but the disparity is alarming.
The Baylor/UNC game was poorly officated. How they didn’t T up Jeremy Sochan for his antics in the post with Bacot was disturbing among other things. There were several over the top plays that led to the Manek ejection. From there the officiating completely changed the game.
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I love the way TCU’S Big played, can’t blame the kid for his actions/re actions-- I love guys that have that emotion - -spirit some may not think it’s not a good look BUT I’d rather have a kid that has some edge does it make the opposing players mad/ fan mad - -if it was me - -I could give a rats ass. -I would much rather have player/players that show some emotion/expression then walk and or play like a group of zombies
Another way to look at it is- -you got game to back up your actions then - -go for it big boy - -get down with your bad self. - I’m really proud of the Conference and the way w have preformed represented very well - -we could be like umm let’s see - - -OH YA the al mighty and powerful Big 10 lol how sad are those guys
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@jayballer67 I all for showing emotion, having confidence, and celebrating your own accomplishments. But much of TCU Big’s celebrations were more about degrading the opponent with his “too small” gestures. He can flex and puff his chest all he wants in my opinion but when you start venturing into commenting more on your opponent than yourself that’s where I start losing respect for you. I mean, he is much bigger and better at basketball than me so what I think probably doesn’t matter to him one bit. And it shouldn’t. It’s just how I determine the players I like watching for myself.
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@benshawks08 said in Monday Morning Madness Thoughts:
@jayballer67 I all for showing emotion, having confidence, and celebrating your own accomplishments. But much of TCU Big’s celebrations were more about degrading the opponent with his “too small” gestures. He can flex and puff his chest all he wants in my opinion but when you start venturing into commenting more on your opponent than yourself that’s where I start losing respect for you. I mean, he is much bigger and better at basketball than me so what I think probably doesn’t matter to him one bit. And it shouldn’t. It’s just how I determine the players I like watching for myself.
well your entitled tot hat just like I am entitled to mine and that’s what makes the world go round. - - ROCK CHALK
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I kind of want to play Miami. Just to watch it.
If we can’t run with Miami we won’t be able to run with Gonzaga. Would be such a fun up and down game to watch.
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Interesting enough Miami is midpack in tempo nationally. They do have a Top 20 offense though so I think the way we play would facilitate lots of possessions. Miami is not a good defensive team, they are by far the worst team left on that end and that’s saying something since Purdon’t is still alive.
