Comments on: The Heroes and Villains of Championship Week http://www.bracketography.com/championship-week-heroes-villains/ Just another teamrankings Sites site Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:44:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Christopher Mackinder http://www.bracketography.com/championship-week-heroes-villains/#comment-963 Christopher Mackinder Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:06:59 +0000 http://www.bracketography.com/?p=1236#comment-963 Made a little mistake in my Michigan post. Most likely the No. 8 seeded Wolverines would face No. 9 Iowa (Northwestern would be the No. 7 seed). @ John: Knowing Matta's personality, Ohio State will play to win every game from here on out. While Ohio State might be getting a little overhyped at the moment, there is still an outside chance the Buckeyes get that 4th No. 1 seed. Granted, it would take an other slip-up by Duke in the ACC Tourney, 'Nova or West Virginia NOT winning the Big East Tourney and K-State not beating Kansas en route to the Big 12 Tourney title. I think a 27-7 Ohio State team that is really 24-4 with Evan Turner and would be Big Ten regular season and conference tournament champs COULD definitely get that No. 1 seed. That is why I don't believe Matta will lay down in the BTT. As for teams to watch for, I really don't see any "villians" winning any of the big time tournaments. I think it'll be either Maryland or Duke winning the ACC, one of the Big 4 (MSU, Purdue, OSU, Wisconsin) winning the Big Ten, Kentucky or Vandy winning the SEC, Kansas or K-State winning the Big 12 (if not one of the Kansas schools, teams that are already pretty much in the field like Missouri, Baylor, Texas), and one of the big players in the Big East ('Cuse, 'Nova, WVU, Pitt). The Pac-10 is really the only wild card. I'm hoping Cal wins because I think they're most deserving of a bid in the conference while NO other Pac-10 team is really worthy. Seriously, Arizona or Washington getting in would just be sad, especially when a team like Utah State or Saint Mary's is left out... Made a little mistake in my Michigan post. Most likely the No. 8 seeded Wolverines would face No. 9 Iowa (Northwestern would be the No. 7 seed).

@ John: Knowing Matta’s personality, Ohio State will play to win every game from here on out. While Ohio State might be getting a little overhyped at the moment, there is still an outside chance the Buckeyes get that 4th No. 1 seed. Granted, it would take an other slip-up by Duke in the ACC Tourney, ‘Nova or West Virginia NOT winning the Big East Tourney and K-State not beating Kansas en route to the Big 12 Tourney title. I think a 27-7 Ohio State team that is really 24-4 with Evan Turner and would be Big Ten regular season and conference tournament champs COULD definitely get that No. 1 seed. That is why I don’t believe Matta will lay down in the BTT.

As for teams to watch for, I really don’t see any “villians” winning any of the big time tournaments. I think it’ll be either Maryland or Duke winning the ACC, one of the Big 4 (MSU, Purdue, OSU, Wisconsin) winning the Big Ten, Kentucky or Vandy winning the SEC, Kansas or K-State winning the Big 12 (if not one of the Kansas schools, teams that are already pretty much in the field like Missouri, Baylor, Texas), and one of the big players in the Big East (‘Cuse, ‘Nova, WVU, Pitt). The Pac-10 is really the only wild card. I’m hoping Cal wins because I think they’re most deserving of a bid in the conference while NO other Pac-10 team is really worthy. Seriously, Arizona or Washington getting in would just be sad, especially when a team like Utah State or Saint Mary’s is left out…

]]> By: John http://www.bracketography.com/championship-week-heroes-villains/#comment-962 John Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:23:11 +0000 http://www.bracketography.com/?p=1236#comment-962 Let me amend something from my last post. South Carolina would face Mississippi State if they beat Auburn, not Kentucky. Let me amend something from my last post. South Carolina would face Mississippi State if they beat Auburn, not Kentucky.

]]> By: John http://www.bracketography.com/championship-week-heroes-villains/#comment-961 John Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:18:22 +0000 http://www.bracketography.com/?p=1236#comment-961 @ Chris. I cannot argue with anything you said, and I have only seen the Wolverines at the Old Spice Classic, at home against BC, and maybe one other time all season(I do not get the Big Ten Network). However, I do know their personnel. I think the Northwestern game would be their toughest matchup, as their style of play can be frustrating to play against. If they get by that, I have a hunch Ohio State might take it easy, similar to North Carolina a couple of years back. As good as Evan Turner has looked, I suspect Thad Matta might want to get him extra rest. After that type of injury, and with their seed pretty much determined, it would probably benefit the Buckeyes if is the way they went. I think Wisconsin would definitely beat them. I like their chances in a more even matchup against Illinois. Here are some other teams to look out for: ACC: North Carolina. I tried to find another ACC team to come up with, but all signs point to the defending National Champions. How much have the Tar Heels grown up? We'll find out come ACC Tournament time. SEC: South Carolina. After a big non-conference season, the Gamecocks severly tapered off once conference season began, with the exception being a win at home against then-#1 Kentucky. Should Darrin Horn's team get by Auburn in the opening round of the SEC Tournament, they would once again meet Kentucky. A win there would put South Carolina in position to repeat the surprise runs of Georgia and Mississippi State in the last two SEC Tournaments. Pac-10: Arizona. A team with loads of young talent, that knows it needs to win the Pac-10 tournament. Could cause trouble for Cal, Washington and Arizona State. Big East: Seton Hall. A premier scorer in Jeremy Hazell, and nice complimentary parts make the Pirates a serious threat at MSG. Fatigue would be the concern, as they will try to win five games in five nights. Other teams off the radar that are not on the bubble, or a threat to ruin someone's season. Rather, they face their own pressure: Jacksonville. After getting pasted in the last 2 Atlantic Sun finals, Cliff Warren's Dolphins come in with more pressure than any team early in Championship Week. After Lipscombs shocking defeat to Kennesaw State earlier today in the A-Sun quarterfinals, Jacksonville is now the favorite, adding even more pressure. Illinois State. Similarly to Jacksonville, they have reached consecutive Missouri Valley finals. What's different about the Redbirds is that they only got blown out two years ago by Drake, costing Tim Jankovic's team an at-large bid. Last year, they had Northern Iowa beat in regulation, only to see the Panthers rally, and take the MVC crown in overtime, leaving them on Selection Sunday again. Such a physically gifted team, can they finally put it all together, and end a dozen years of NCAA frustration? @ Chris. I cannot argue with anything you said, and I have only seen the Wolverines at the Old Spice Classic, at home against BC, and maybe one other time all season(I do not get the Big Ten Network). However, I do know their personnel. I think the Northwestern game would be their toughest matchup, as their style of play can be frustrating to play against. If they get by that, I have a hunch Ohio State might take it easy, similar to North Carolina a couple of years back. As good as Evan Turner has looked, I suspect Thad Matta might want to get him extra rest. After that type of injury, and with their seed pretty much determined, it would probably benefit the Buckeyes if is the way they went. I think Wisconsin would definitely beat them. I like their chances in a more even matchup against Illinois. Here are some other teams to look out for:

ACC: North Carolina. I tried to find another ACC team to come up with, but all signs point to the defending National Champions. How much have the Tar Heels grown up? We’ll find out come ACC Tournament time.

SEC: South Carolina. After a big non-conference season, the Gamecocks severly tapered off once conference season began, with the exception being a win at home against then-#1 Kentucky. Should Darrin Horn’s team get by Auburn in the opening round of the SEC Tournament, they would once again meet Kentucky. A win there would put South Carolina in position to repeat the surprise runs of Georgia and Mississippi State in the last two SEC Tournaments.

Pac-10: Arizona. A team with loads of young talent, that knows it needs to win the Pac-10 tournament. Could cause trouble for Cal, Washington and Arizona State.

Big East: Seton Hall. A premier scorer in Jeremy Hazell, and nice complimentary parts make the Pirates a serious threat at MSG. Fatigue would be the concern, as they will try to win five games in five nights.

Other teams off the radar that are not on the bubble, or a threat to ruin someone’s season. Rather, they face their own pressure:

Jacksonville. After getting pasted in the last 2 Atlantic Sun finals, Cliff Warren’s Dolphins come in with more pressure than any team early in Championship Week. After Lipscombs shocking defeat to Kennesaw State earlier today in the A-Sun quarterfinals, Jacksonville is now the favorite, adding even more pressure.

Illinois State. Similarly to Jacksonville, they have reached consecutive Missouri Valley finals. What’s different about the Redbirds is that they only got blown out two years ago by Drake, costing Tim Jankovic’s team an at-large bid. Last year, they had Northern Iowa beat in regulation, only to see the Panthers rally, and take the MVC crown in overtime, leaving them on Selection Sunday again. Such a physically gifted team, can they finally put it all together, and end a dozen years of NCAA frustration?

]]> By: Christopher Mackinder http://www.bracketography.com/championship-week-heroes-villains/#comment-960 Christopher Mackinder Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:26:11 +0000 http://www.bracketography.com/?p=1236#comment-960 @ John: With all of Beilein's teams, there is always that sense of "if the team only gets hot." From watching his teams at WVU and comparing them to his recent teams at Michigan, there is one glaring difference: He has phenominal shooters at West Virginia. (I'll mention this in a Michigan team cap later this week). At Michigan, he has a bunch of guys who probably shoot at a 60% clip alone in a gym but have been shooting well below 30% during the regular season. Typically, a GREAT shooting team, especially one who prides itself in making 3 after 3 after 3, has a 40% shooter somewhere in the chamber. Michigan's best 3-point shooter is - percentage-wise - Matt Vogrich at 36% (9-for-25). The "great" shooters that are counted on to carry this underacheiving team have been terrible all year. Manny Harris (30%), DeShawn Sims (30%), Zack Novak and Stu Douglas (31% each) don't light it up very often. What Big Ten Network viewers saw last night was Michigan finally making shots against a team that dares its opponent to shoot from outside. It was a great game but something Michigan hasn't been able to duplicate often. TO address the possible run in the BTT, here is Michigan's likely path as an 8th seed in the BTT is almost a lock: vs. Northwestern in the 8/9 game (NW swept Michigan this season) and then a matchup with No. 1 Ohio State (split season series but Michigan's win was without Evan Turner). The semifinal game would be against the No. 4/5 game winner (Wisconsin vs. Illinois most likely). CAN Michigan do it? Sure, since this team was, apparently, good enough to be a preseason No. 15 team. Will Michigan? The last time Michigan was desperate at the BTT, it lost an opening round game to Minnesota in the 7-10 game, so I'm not sure exactly how Michigan will respond. But stranger things have happened in the BTT, most notably No. 10 seed Illinois' miracle run to the championship game a few years back. Stay tuned... @ John: With all of Beilein’s teams, there is always that sense of “if the team only gets hot.” From watching his teams at WVU and comparing them to his recent teams at Michigan, there is one glaring difference: He has phenominal shooters at West Virginia. (I’ll mention this in a Michigan team cap later this week). At Michigan, he has a bunch of guys who probably shoot at a 60% clip alone in a gym but have been shooting well below 30% during the regular season.

Typically, a GREAT shooting team, especially one who prides itself in making 3 after 3 after 3, has a 40% shooter somewhere in the chamber. Michigan’s best 3-point shooter is – percentage-wise – Matt Vogrich at 36% (9-for-25). The “great” shooters that are counted on to carry this underacheiving team have been terrible all year. Manny Harris (30%), DeShawn Sims (30%), Zack Novak and Stu Douglas (31% each) don’t light it up very often. What Big Ten Network viewers saw last night was Michigan finally making shots against a team that dares its opponent to shoot from outside. It was a great game but something Michigan hasn’t been able to duplicate often.

TO address the possible run in the BTT, here is Michigan’s likely path as an 8th seed in the BTT is almost a lock: vs. Northwestern in the 8/9 game (NW swept Michigan this season) and then a matchup with No. 1 Ohio State (split season series but Michigan’s win was without Evan Turner). The semifinal game would be against the No. 4/5 game winner (Wisconsin vs. Illinois most likely). CAN Michigan do it? Sure, since this team was, apparently, good enough to be a preseason No. 15 team. Will Michigan? The last time Michigan was desperate at the BTT, it lost an opening round game to Minnesota in the 7-10 game, so I’m not sure exactly how Michigan will respond. But stranger things have happened in the BTT, most notably No. 10 seed Illinois’ miracle run to the championship game a few years back. Stay tuned…

]]> By: John http://www.bracketography.com/championship-week-heroes-villains/#comment-959 John Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:18:08 +0000 http://www.bracketography.com/?p=1236#comment-959 I think Michigan has the capabilities to make the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. They have great player in Manny Harris, a very good big man in DeShawn Sims, and an outstanding coach in John Beilein. They have severly underachieved this season, and will be looking to make up for it in Indianapolis. I think Michigan has the capabilities to make the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. They have great player in Manny Harris, a very good big man in DeShawn Sims, and an outstanding coach in John Beilein. They have severly underachieved this season, and will be looking to make up for it in Indianapolis.

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