A few quick points...in regards to the UT-SU game, when I said it wasn't really that close, I meant that SU seemed to be in control of the game, even when they did not have a huge lead. It was nothing like the KU game. Also, the FT thing was a bit silly, but my point was that in some cases SU shot poorly, too...besides, it is UT/KU's fault for not hitting them, and is not because SU sucks. Finally, GATER, :"SU was fine in both games as long as they had a nearly double digit lead." Well, they had to get those big leads to begin with, right? I guess any team can do that to UT and KU? The point about the senior/KU thing was to illustrate that it is not because SU sucks that KU outplayed them in the clutch, it is because of the lack of experience. Syracuse did not suck this year. They also saved some of their best basketball for the end. To me that speaks of chemestry, timing, whatever, and not immediately to "fluke, they suck." In fact, I think that they played some of their worst ball in the second half of the championship...yet they still won. It is not as if they payed the most perfect game they could have and only won because KU sucked at the line. By the way, I am not an SU bandwagoner (not that you were accusing me of that...).
Syracuse played their 3 best halves of basketball in the final four. As a Texas fan, the fact we led in the 2nd of a game where this team who had just scored 63 over OU and looked clueless in the 1st half against OSU decided to make anything they threw up, is a credit to our team. Syracuse would come down take 10 foot fadeaways, hit em, 20 foot jumpers with a hand in Melo's face, no problem. Then, as GATER said, if JT makes more of his freebies, we probably win, or if TJ didn't miss one of two with us clinging to a 1 point lead. Also, what if Melo gets his deserved 4th foul for a clear charge early in the 2nd half. That was huge. Not much to cry over still, because if a team shoots like that, not much any college team can do. Then, lightning struck twice. They did the same thing to KU in the first half, but KU should've won if they didn't go 12-30 from the stripe. My hat goes off to Syracuse, but by no means do I think they were the best team this year, they just got extremely hot at the right time, and yes, they deserved the title. I don't agree that UT's road was that easy either. Getting to a final four isn't "easy" first of all. Second, look at how the big 10 gave UK fits in the sweet 16, and knocked off 2002 champ Maryland, along with top 10 team Florida. Purdue wasn't going to be an easy out, not the way Keady has his teams ready in tournament time, UConn was a dynamite team and we beat them without TJ most of the second half. Then, MSU has lots of talent but inexperienced. But look at Syracuse's run: Manhattan, OSU, Auburn, Oklahoma, with Ere and Price hurting. That is not any harder than UT's run, especially considering they faced OU in Albany. Marquette obviously had the toughest road, then Kansas, but still the bottom line is it is never easy to get to the final four. Heck, KU almost got knocked out in round 1 by Utah State, Marquette by Holy Cross, Arizona by Gonzaga, Syracuse by OSU or Auburn. Every team has close games in this tournament and anybody can beat anybody within reason on certain days. Still congrats to Syracuse on the title, and I think UT stands an excellent chance of going to San Antone next year, but you never know.
OU beat UConn in January. Who was the last team to beat Syracuse this year? UConn in early March. Who are going to be the top 3 preseason teams next year? UConn UT Michigan State
This is assuming Carmelo Anthony leaves. Obviously Syracuse would be #1 if he stayed. By the way, UConn beat Syracuse both times this year. Emeka Okafor is going to be a star.
I have a hard time seeing Mich State doing much next year. Only Paul Davis and Chris Hill impress me.
Arizona will be pre-season top 3 with Igudala replacing Walton, Ebi (#1 or #2 rated PF prospect) replacing Anderson and Shakir (#1 rated PG prospect) replacing Gardner to go along with Frye and Stoudemire. They also have some bench quality in Adams, Fox, Rogers & Dunn. They will be younger, but more talented and much better defensively than the Walton-Gardner-Anderson team. The question will be is whether one of the fresh, Stoudemire, or Igudala is ready to lead. I would put Texas #1, Arizona #2 and Uconn #3--as long as Okafor stays. I am assuming Melo is going pro--why on earth would he stay after this run he had--but then again Jason Williams did (Coach K voodoo I guees) and it cost him the #1 pick.
Losing Jason Gardner is addition by subtraction for Zona. I've never seen a more overrated player in a while. Especially in the Pac-10, when most guys are underrated. Gardner has no real PG skills, and can't shoot worth a damn. Not a good thing if you're 5 ft 10. The only thing Zona really lacks IMO is shooters. Stoudamire is obviously money from downtown, but who else? Can Iguodala shoot? Ebi is a good 3 pt shooter from what I've seen.
