My bracket, like the rest of the countries, are crap now...I did one for fun on CBS Sportsline and there are 11 or so people who are perfect up to now...Unbelievable...
Syracuse has the one player who commands a double team every time down the court. Warrick. It's a powerful edge with the great role players they have t help him out. His shot is unblockable. They look like a team to beat. Which makes you wonder, how good were they with Anthony. Maybe one of the better college teams assembled in a long time. But who really knew. Until now. Syracuse is lookin good.
Exactly. People who have never seen St. Joe's play still think they suck for some reason. Plus, the A-10, with 2 teams in the sweet 16, turns out not to be the crap conference everyone said they were. (Pac-10, anyone?) I followed St. Joe's a little this year since I live in Philly, but I am ACTIVELY rooting for them the rest of the tourney after watching how much they got crapped on for losing one lousy game. I actually have St. Joe's over G Tech in one of the brackets I filled out. (Had OK St beating St. Joe's in the other.)
Throw in that kid McNamara who seems like he can hit a shot from anywhere (and I mean ANYWHERE) on the court and you have what could be a back-to-back championship.
I've followed Syracuse for the past 5 or 6 years, ever since my brother went there; they're weren't that strong until late last year. THis year they should have won 5 more games than they lost; that said, they're still a good team. All that matters on Thursday is if McNamara can be contained. He can either go off for 40 or get shut down for 13. I think the game against ALabama will be one hell of a matchup. Seeing how Pettway handles McNamara will be fun to watch. Same goes for a possible Winston-Warrick matchup. The center position has NEVER favored Syracuse, even last year; all they have is a 7-foot stiff of a white guy (Forth) and a backup who fouls out 60% of the time (Mcneil). I can't say I think either is a favorite but I can guarantee it will be one of the best games in the tournament. Both teams' defense is nearly identical; the zone for both is phenomenal, but Alabama can also go man to man, effectively. Will be some game!
I think StJoes ripps Wake apart. But alas, OSU or Pitt will be waiting, bad match-ups there. StJoes is unfortunate that their bracket remained so loaded. If they lose in the Great 8 I think their point has been delivered. If they could make it out of this region they could take out anybody.
In fact, I think their point has already been delivered. Kentucky is gone. Stanfurd is gone. Heck, even Gonzaga and Miss St are gone. So St. Joe's has outperformed several top teams -- including two teams nobody questioned as deserving a #1 seed. There's no shame in a number one seed losing in the Sweet 16 to a top opponent (like a Wake Forest) in my opinion. Usually in the Sweet 16 the rest of the teams left are all pretty damn good. Speaking of which, how messed up is it that OK St and Pitt play each other already? These are two legit Final Four teams, and one's going to go out before the Elite 8...
I don't know, I say if they lose versus Wake it is kind of a wash. Critics were saying they were only as good as a 2nd tier team from a major conference, if they lose to Wake one could argue the critics were right. Now if they at least get to the final 8 and give OSU or Pitt a war--both teams who had cases for #1 seeds, they have definetly delivered their point. Personally, I love to see them in a final 4--it would be tough but I think they have a shot. Again I do think they will beat Wake. Wake is not much of a defensive team and I think StJoes matches up really well against them. OSU or Pitt, different story, STJ will have to have their A game on offense for sure to give those teams a run.
Great call, DS. Remind me to consult you next time I fill out my brackets! I agree that the St. Joe's run probably ends with OK St. Great run, though. But hey, who knows? Seems like UConn is peaking at the right time. Big East tourney, now this.
Syracuse really missed Billy Edelin after he left. Mooch have you heard if he will be back next year and what exactly the personal reason that cost him the second half of the season. Also, I think that Warrick is going to be a good pro.
Glad to get 1 right I missed plenty overall picks and am doing pretty mediocre this year. It is much easier to digest a single game based on strengths and weaknesses of those teams than project a whole bracket where things change so much with a squeaker or two. I thought Stanford would win it all over Okie State in my main bracket. My other bracket had Uconn over Pitt--so I lost out a major part of that one too. Looks to me now I was half right in each, and it will boil down to Okie State-Uconn--but there are plenty of tough games left. I think StJoes or GTech (very good defensive team) has a chance against Okie State, but that is there only major obstacles to making the finals. StJoes needs to shoot lights out because I don't see them shutting down Okie State's offense. But a lot bigger upsets have happened, StJoes is a very good team, I'd like to see them in the Final 4. UConn is tough. If they are hitting their threes and foul shots they are unbeatable because they have the best defense in the land. If they have an off shooting night opponents have a chance--but I don't think Bama can make that happen. Duke, Texas, OSU or GTech--they would have a chance.
Not sure what his timetable is, but from what I've heard, he apparently had some type of deep depression. He might even lose his remaining eligibility.
Duke is going down tonight! and Illinois and Ok. St. are going to carry it all the way to the championship game .. Haha .. alright so I had to get my pick in there, but that's what I've had from the beginning. Unless Duhon completely takes over the game tonight I think Duke is going to be upset ... Illinois has won something like 13 out of their last 14 and are playing extremely well.
