KU Bracket Reveal Thread
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First round Foe:
Texas Southern- Kenpom #188 (2nd worst team in tourney), #270 offense, #107 defense, #128 tempo
Schedule- Lost to Oregon 83-66, L -Saint Mary’s 67-58, L- Washington 72-65, L NC St 65-57, L BYU 81-64, W @ Florida 69-54
Texas A&M CC- Kenpom #243 (worst team in the tourney), #287 offense, #181 defense, #73 tempo
Schedule- Lost to Texas A&M 86-65, L Minnesota 79-71, Notre Dame 83-73
Texas Southern does not have a player averaging 10ppg as 8 guys score from 6 to 9 per game. Brishon Gresham played at SMU & Houston previously, 5th leading scorer but leads the team with 2.2 blocks per game. They only average 69 ppg.
Texas A&M CC is led by Isaac Mushilla, 6’5 Jr averages 13.5ppg & team high 9.5 rebounds per game. Lives at the free throw line with 208 attempts (78%) (tied for 10th in all of NCAA). Small team with only 2/3 guys 6’8.
Texas Southern is coached by Johnny Jones, former interim coach of Memphis, former coach of LSU. First tourney appearance with him.
Texas A&M CC is coached by Steve Lutz, former assistant at Creighton & Purdue who took over in 2021.
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The Chicago factor will be big, but probably not for us. You take Iowa and Wisconsin plunked into our region, and we’re battling two fan bases instead of one. And they’re a heck of alot closer to Chicago than we are. So, we play Iowa, and let’s say we win- we turn around and play Wisconsin potentially? They’re like 3 hours away from Chicago. Ridiculous. I’m also not excited about playing the last game on Thursday night. It appears they want us to lose almost a half day of preparation for the 8/9 matchup. This is unprecedented that a 1 seed has to play this late. Other than those 2 points, I love the bracket we’re in, and am looking for us to overcome all NCAA mischief as we march to the Final Four.
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KU has big alumni base in Chicago and we travel well, no concern there. Self with a week to prepare for anyone is extremely dangerous. I would be surprised if we didn’t have a late Saturday tip as well for the 2nd round as long as business is taken care of on Thursday as we expect.
I seem to recall plenty of 1 seeds playing late on the first day imo. I’d rather have the game a bit earlier personally since 10pm tip for easterners is rough for having to work on Friday but I guess I’ll sleep when I’m dead. As @mayjay has pointed out he’s not sure I even do sleep at this point.
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@BeddieKU23 said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
KU has big alumni base in Chicago and we travel well, no concern there. Self with a week to prepare for anyone is extremely dangerous. I would be surprised if we didn’t have a late Saturday tip as well for the 2nd round as long as business is taken care of on Thursday as we expect.
I seem to recall plenty of 1 seeds playing late on the first day imo. I’d rather have the game a bit earlier personally since 10pm tip for easterners is rough for having to work on Friday but I guess I’ll sleep when I’m dead. As @mayjay has pointed out he’s not sure I even do sleep at this point.
Chicago is a bastion of KU alumni. I went to school with a bunch of folks from Chicago at KU, so we’ll be well represented. I just don’t like having to take on 2 fanbases from the same conference cheering when we’re supposed to be the 1 seed. Oh well, we always have a target on our backs, so it’s probably much ado about nothing. As for a 1 seed playing the last game of the night, I don’t recall it ever happening. They are definitely doing their best to make sure the East Coast doesn’t watch us. It also cuts into our prep time for the next game. No biggie, though. We’ll sail through to the Final Four, imo.
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@Jethro said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
The Chicago factor will be big, but probably not for us. You take Iowa and Wisconsin plunked into our region, and we’re battling two fan bases instead of one. And they’re a heck of alot closer to Chicago than we are. So, we play Iowa, and let’s say we win- we turn around and play Wisconsin potentially? They’re like 3 hours away from Chicago. Ridiculous. I’m also not excited about playing the last game on Thursday night. It appears they want us to lose almost a half day of preparation for the 8/9 matchup. This is unprecedented that a 1 seed has to play this late. Other than those 2 points, I love the bracket we’re in, and am looking for us to overcome all NCAA mischief as we march to the Final Four.
re we even sure both of those will even make it to Chicago ? - - -March Madness
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Hopefully our fans bought up after seeing the bracket. We may not have the majority like in KC but I would expect us to pack in for Chicago. There’s also hope Iowa/Wisconsin may not get to Chicago as well. Big-10 hasn’t exactly lit up the tourney of late.
Iowa hasn’t gotten past the 2nd round under Fran McCaffrey in 5 tournaments. Wisconsin hasn’t left the first weekend with Greg Gard since 2016/17 season (also Bo Ryan’s players). Something tells me to put money on 1 or both not making it that far.
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@Crimsonorblue22 said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
Who did the others pick? My grill was on fire!
Laphonso Ellis picked KU in final 4 losing to Arizona. Seth is a hack so who cares (he didn’t pick KU of course). Reece Davis picked someone else as well.
Don’t think any of the CBS guys picked KU from what I saw. Watched the bracket brakedown and they had a slobbefest over Iowa/Wisconsin and Auburn being a Top 4 team (they haven’t played like one in at least a month).
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@BeddieKU23 said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
Bilas has us in the finals against Gonzaga
I feel like the Zags are definitely one of our worst matchups because of our defensive weakness. I bet they’ll have a day of shooting in the 60%.
We are capable of playing respectable defense… but it does take a lot of steam out of our sails that we use on offense. However… if we force TOs and missed shots, we are better able to run! We could beat the Zags… but we seriously have to come ready to play defense!
From here on out… it will be our defense that catapults us to the next round. If we think we can just outscore every team… we are bound to hit a psyched up team that is hot from trey.
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@drgnslayr I’m hoping we are that psyched up team getting hot from 3 at some point in this tournament. We haven’t had a game like that in a while so we are due.
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The Zags followed by Arizona are the worst matchups for KU (also the teams most likely to face KU in the final 4/finals in hypotheticals). Their big’s are just different than anything Dave’s had to face in conference play & when he faced a top big in Tschiebwe he was a non-factor. Guess that will be a problem to deal with if we make it that far. At that point it would be a GOOD problem to have
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We are capable of beating anyone… and beating them NOT because of a fluke. If we come totally pumped, and playing defense like we have in spots during the year, there is no one that can stay with us. And also value possessions… low TOs and decent rebounding. We get several runouts on TOs and quick rebound outlets or someone like Wilson or Martin rebounding and driving the distance. This often leads to wide open treys on secondary breaks. Pushing like this is our natural tempo and very few teams in this country can go at this tempo successfully.
If we don’t control tempo we will usually be in a dog fight. But I will say that we are mentally tough and never really collapsing in games.
My hope is Remy continues to come on strong… also we need Wilson to keep having halfs like he did with TT. He was involved on about half of the plays in that second half. Remy needs to continue to think about scoring more and also pushing pace. There is also pace involved in running our half court offense. Fast pace in half court means guys are moving around quickly… with and without the ball. I think this is the most fun offense I have ever seen from KU when that half court pace is blistering!
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@drgnslayr you know it’s clicking when Och starts getting open looks against “the best defense in the country.” When we play with pace we are just so tough to stop.
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@BeddieKU23 said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
Hopefully our fans bought up after seeing the bracket. We may not have the majority like in KC but I would expect us to pack in for Chicago. There’s also hope Iowa/Wisconsin may not get to Chicago as well. Big-10 hasn’t exactly lit up the tourney of late.
Iowa hasn’t gotten past the 2nd round under Fran McCaffrey in 5 tournaments. Wisconsin hasn’t left the first weekend with Greg Gard since 2016/17 season (also Bo Ryan’s players). Something tells me to put money on 1 or both not making it that far.
TBF to Fran McCaffery, Iowa has only been better than a 7 seed once in their last 5 tournaments so it’s also not like they were expected to make it past the first weekend outside of last season.
Gard has had some tournament success beating a higher seeded team in all but one of his appearances.
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KU ended up 3rd in the Nation in the final poll of the Season behind Gongaza & Arizona
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Honestly I would put Providence on upset alert. And then the most fun game of the tournament might be SDSU vs Iowa. Both ELECTRIC offenses. Will be a race to 100.
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The least watchable game of the 1st round is LSU vs. ISU. First to 50
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Here’s my thoughts on our side of the bracket.
TSU/ A&M-CC, those two are 16 seeds for a reason and are the two lowest ranked Kenpom teams in the field. I would expect KU to win that by 20+ points.
The 8/9 is honestly my biggest worry until the Elite 8. I said in an above post that Creighton and San Diego St. are both slow tempo teams that are defensive minded and are similar to Tech and TCU in that regard. Those two are on the same seed line as TCU is so Those TCU games are probably the best comparison for what KU’s second round game will look like and 2/3 of the TCU games were slow, ugly basketball and I can easily see that game being a big struggle for Kansas.
Our 4 potential S16 match ups are Providence, Iowa, Richmond, and South Dakota St. Iowa and South Dakota St. are ranked 2nd and 4th nationally in PPG. I could see us playing any of those teams but Richmond honestly. Kenpom absolutely hates Providence and only has them as the 49th best team surrounded by mostly double digit seeded teams. I’m sure this is going to be a very trendy upset pick based the the clash of styles with SDSU.
Iowa is an elite offense and I think is the most capable of KU’s 4 potential S16 match ups of beating Kansas. Their weakness is their defense which is ranked 237 in PPG allowed and 77th in adjusted rankings by Kenpom.
Richmond is the least likely of KU’s potential S16 opponents because they are the worst team of these 4 and Iowa is not a good match up for them.
South Dakota St. is a very interesting possible match up because they are basically a clone of Iowa in terms of style of play. They’re 2nd in the nation in scoring average and 281st in scoring defense. I think they beat Providence in round and play an epic, high scoring, highly entertaining game against Iowa. SDSU also loves launching 3’s and are very good at making 45% of their 3’s as a team this season. They are very dangerous team no matter who they play because of how well they shoot the ball.
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@Kcmatt7 said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
Honestly I would put Providence on upset alert. And then the most fun game of the tournament might be SDSU vs Iowa. Both ELECTRIC offenses. Will be a race to 100.
Providence is only a 2 point favorite against SDSU and haven’t beaten a really good team in awhile. I think that’s going to be the trendiest upset pick of the first round.
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@Kcmatt7 said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
The least watchable game of the 1st round is LSU vs. ISU. First to 50
Creighton and San Diego St. should be pretty unwatchable too. Both are very slow tempo teams with bad offenses. That’s another game that could easily be a first to 50 type game. At least with LSU, they’re a team that tries to play somewhat fast so if they get it going, that game could be a blowout for LSU.
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Agree on the Providence stuff the more I’ve looked into it. 11-2 in games decided by 5 points or less but coming off a bad loss to Creighton where they got drubbed by 27. Kenpom has them #1 on the ‘luck’ factor which might play a part in their #49th ranking.
The other exciting first round matchup, Murray St vs San Francisco. Either coach could be in Power 5 or somewhere much bigger then they are currently after this. Murray St lost 2 games all year and San Fran was a surprising at-large bid behind Zaga/St Mary’s.
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Believe Creighton has had to slow tempo because they have injuries. Only played 7 in the conference tournament. Top 20 defense per Kenpom so them or San Diego St will be like playing Big-12 teams.
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@BeddieKU23 said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
Believe Creighton has had to slow tempo because they have injuries. Only played 7 in the conference tournament. Top 20 defense per Kenpom so them or San Diego St will be like playing Big-12 teams.
TCU is the best comparison for each team for KU is going to deal with and why that’s the game I’m most concerned about prior to any potential Elite 8 match up.
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Agree and Self’s record on the short rest is not nearly as good as it is when he’s got multiple days to prepare.
At least neither potential 2nd round matchup is a team with offensive firepower.
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For anyone looking for double digit seeds to make it past the weekend, these are the ones to look out for based on Kenpom ratings. San Francisco, Virginia Tech, Loyola-Chicago, and Michigan.
San Francisco, Kenpom actually has them rated higher than Murray St. and both teams being in the top 30 of Kenpom. Regardless of who Kentucky plays in the second round, they’re getting the hardest match up of the 2 seeds in the second round.
Virginia Tech and Loyola-Chicago also both double digit seeds that are each top 25 Kenpom teams.
Virginia Tech plays a Texas team in the 1st round that’s lost 3 straight games and 4 out of 6. Both teams are sub 340 in adjusted tempo so that game could be a brutal assault on the eyes. VT’s likely 2nd round opponent would be Purdue in a major clash of styles.
Loyola-Chicago plays Ohio St. in the 1st round in another potential race to 50 game and then would likely play Villanova in another potential race to 50 game between sub 300 tempo teams.
Michigan plays Colorado St. and is actually favored in that game. ESPN actually has Michigan at 73% chance of winning that one. Michigan would likely play Tennessee in the 2nd round and I don’t see Michigan winning that one so they’re tge least likely of those 4 to make it past the weekend.
Of the First Four teams most likely to make it past the weekend, Indiana is probably the best bet, but I don’t really think any of the First Four teams wins a game in the main draw.
For the best bets on low major teams to pull massive upsets (13 seeds or lower), South Dakota St., Vermont, and Chattanooga are decent chances. I think South Dakota St. has the best chance to pull a 13/4 upset followed by Vermont and then Chattanooga.
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Playing San Diego St is basically wrestling camouflaged as basketball. So…pretty much like playing half of the Big 12
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Saw this on Twitter from Creighton Coover:
#KUbball has, by far, the longest current streak of receiving a #4 seed or higher in the #NCAATournament. This short list exemplifies the incredible consistency the #Jayhawks have shown for the entire century thus far! Kansas - 21 Gonzaga - 5 Purdue - 5 Baylor - 2
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@BeddieKU23 I was talking about the TT KU game.
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Preach! A couple really great factoids today, man. Keep posting ‘em. I love that kind of stuff. The Mizzou coach numbers was gold.
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@BeddieKU23 I’m gonna try to get there for regional finals. Got stupid parent teacher conferences (yes on a Friday night) so regional semis no go for me. United Center, 19 miles away!
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For those discussing Wisconsin they hadn’t lost one game you’d call an upset til Nebraska surprised them, which they played largely without Johnny Davis. Badger fans been drooling over Milwaukee/Chicago regional ever since it looked like they were going to be a top four seed. In games decided by 6 points or less the Badgers had won 15 straight this season until, again the mess up against Nebraska. That stat is a reason I guess for the relatively poor ken pom thing, but when you keep figuring out ways to win close games it’s a sign of toughness. This team is actually a really tough team from my partially biased observations. They played a tough schedule, beat highly seeded teams Purdue 2 times, 11 other wins against tournament teams. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a KU-Wisconsin regional final.
Iowa hasn’t been to the sweet 16 since 1999. Haha, suck it Hawkeyes. Their fan base right now thinks they’ve been to the FF about every other year in the history of basketball.
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Who survives the South? Arizona seems pretty average in that region with Tennessee, Illinois, Nova (and TCU too the way they’re playing)…
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Also, hate to say it, but I think Iowa State wins two games. They stink and can’t beat a team twice, but their D is good first time around.
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@benshawks08 said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
@mayjay said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
No access to truTV!
I’ve had great success with the ncaa March madness live app. Simple and easy to use.
Thanks, but it looks like you can’t get live games without signing in with a tv provider that carries Turner channels.
I have Fubo, which dumped Turner channels awhile back. I will subscribe to Sling Blue for a few weeks to get them. (We have Fubo because it has NFL Redzone on its sports add-on: buy in Sept, cancel in Jan.)
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@mayjay get the March madness app. Free
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@wissox Iowa fans have been delusional since the Ronny Lester era at least. That 83 team with Stokes and Payne that beat Mizzou’s Stipanovich and Sundvold was admirable though… enemy of my enemy is my friend kind of thing (Illini fan back then)
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@DanR I’ve developed an almost Missouri like hate for Iowa basketball. I actually grudgingly respect their football coach, but man oh man how tiresome that hoops coach and their team is. I feel sorry for Keegan Murray playing there. Maybe he’ll use the portal and come to KU!
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I don’t see a good tournament for Arizona… PG equals Quarterback.
https://www.si.com/college/2022/03/11/kerr-kriisa-injury-arizona-national-title-hopes-dwindling
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@DanR said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
Who survives the South? Arizona seems pretty average in that region with Tennessee, Illinois, Nova (and TCU too the way they’re playing)…
I have a hard time picking Arizona far without knowing if their PG is going to be back. They have enough firepower to get by round 1 but that 2nd round matchup against Seton Hall who plays in the 50’s, low 60’s or TCU who can match Arizona’s rebounding skill is not the kind of matchup you want when your not 100%. Arizona has looked Final 4 good recently but I wonder if that injury is about to change what they can do…
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@DanR said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
Who survives the South? Arizona seems pretty average in that region with Tennessee, Illinois, Nova (and TCU too the way they’re playing)…
I’m picking the Vols to make it. I know- tough to back a Rick Barnes team in March…
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As i step back a bit from the original impression of the brackets, I am pretty glad we ended up with the 4/5 seeds we did. We avoided Houston, Arkansas, Illinois, and UCLA. We face a Hawkeyes team that hasn’t been to the S16 since 1999, and/or a Providence team that just got manhandled by 30 in their conference tournament. I still am hoping Auburn gets upset, as I would much rather play Wisky in the E8.
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Struggled with this as well. He definitely has a talented team that plays hard, defends and seems to have momentum.
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Sorry to say this but I’m in several brackets and almost everyone I have picked Gonzaga as the National champion. - Just hard as much as I love my Jay Hawks and I did pick KU in a couple but it’s just hard to go against who they have on that roster. Holgrem is such a key factor for them he adds so many different things , yes he is a freshman - but yet is not a freshman. - He is long , very long rim protector , plays in space shoot outside in - just a 7 ft nightmare bigger guys trying to guard he take you outside - - -smaller he post you up. - You put him with Timme - -& Nemhard. - -Wish it wasn’t like that but can’t deny they good.
I also have Arizona making it to the title game in a lot of my brackets hope I’m wrong guess that’s why we play them on the floor
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I have Boise State taking out the Zags in the 2nd round in one of my brackets. I wouldn’t bet a cent that I’m right though.
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@Crimsonorblue22 The app is free but still requires signing into a TV provider that has TBS/TNT/TruTV/CBS to get any games. Just video highlights, articles, a bracket contest, and schedule. There are no live tv or watch options, and the login is under the Settings tab.
From CNET: “You can also stream the games live at with NCAA March Madness Live, but you’ll need to log in with a TV provider to prove you are a pay-TV subscriber.”
I’m good. Signed up for Sling Blue. $35/month, and will cancel April 14. That gives me the Turner channels, and Fubo gives me CBS.
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@rockchalkwyo said in KU Bracket Reveal Thread:
I have Boise State taking out the Zags in the 2nd round in one of my brackets. I wouldn’t bet a cent that I’m right though.
I really wanted to go with that but chickened out. Vermont over Arkansas. So many teams that I don’t know anything about (and have little desire to research).
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This period of rest may carry us to the second weekend. Have we seen this team come out tight? We get tentative, or did, from our bench but that’s just Self doubt.
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Mitch practiced on a limited basis. Would not have played if there was a game today but Self is hopeful he could play Thursday.
So who gets run if Mitch can’t go?
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@BeddieKU23 Suck it up Big Mac, you are going to get a lotta minutes
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@BeddieKU23 Clemence or JWill at the 5
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KJ if it is a blow out
