TOURNEY TEAM THOUGHTS (overrated/underrated)

[TheBiz]

As the tourney approaches, I thought it would be very interesting to hear what different people think about different teams. Just post whatever thoughts on whatever teams you think...

I'll start with these-
I think NOVA has as good a shot as anybody to win this thing... just unbelievable guard play...a lot better shot then DUKE, who I seriously believe has ZERO chance... i personally willl be selling tons of futures on them. I also want to sell the hell out of NORTH CAROLINA.
TENNESSEE has that explosive guard play that can vault them into indy. I truly believe thought that the Big East is the far superior conference... and would be shocked if they didn't have 2 final four teams

 

[TouchdownJesus]

I thought about putting some $ on UNC a few weeks ago, but just couldn't pull the trigger. Wish I had. Not that they'll win it, but I could hedge eventually.

Roy's done one hell of a coaching job this year. They've got a chance to make some noise in tourney. I just don't know if they can keep playing this good. Not to mention, trying to go up against the big boys in both the big east and big 10, etc.
It will be fun though. I hope they get some favorable matchups early and often..

 

[nchiappetta]

Overrated:

Gonzaga
Oklahoma
Florida (despite their beating of KY today)
Michigan State
George Washington

Underrated:

Illinois
Ohio State
Pitt
North Carolina

Surprise (or not) Sweet 16:

George Mason
Arkansas
Bradley
Kent State

 

[gjn23]

Overrated:

Gonzaga
Oklahoma
Florida (despite their beating of KY today)
Michigan State
George Washington

Underrated:

Illinois
Ohio State
Pitt
North Carolina

Surprise (or not) Sweet 16:

George Mason
Arkansas
Bradley
Kent State

totally agree with your over-rated/under rated lists

i'd throw tennessee in the over-rated...i've soured on them recently and i'd also throw ucla in the under-rated (they can play some good defense, but shut down afflalo and they might really struggle on offense)

 

[TheBiz]

love UCLA and ohio st also

 

[signalcaller]

Overrated
Wisconsin
Michigan State
Texas
Duke
George Washington

Underrated
Illinois
Texas AM
Cincy if they get in

Sleeper team to get go very far
Marquette. Very good guard play and best 3 point shooter in whole nation in Steve Novak

 

[wox11]

MY SLEEPER TO GET TO THE SWEET 16 WINTHROP

BUCKEYES MAY DO SOME DAMAGE!!!

 

[Jayhawk_Thor]

Overrated:

Gonzaga
Oklahoma
Florida (despite their beating of KY today)
Michigan State
George Washington

Underrated:

Illinois
Ohio State
Pitt
North Carolina

Surprise (or not) Sweet 16:

George Mason
Arkansas
Bradley
Kent State

Gotta disagree about Oklahoma, I actually think they will be underrated heading into the tourney. They are a veteran, battle-tested team with a great, great coach.

They can play slow-grind it out basketball, but they can also score if a team wants to run, because Gray is a beast and Neal is a gunner.

Wouldn't be surprised to see them make the elite 8.

And yeah, I know they are getting their ass kicked right now to UT. :scared

 

[Okie]

Hawk,

Oklahoma's problem is they have no point guard Everett is a wing and Neal is a shooter. Sampson has always been able to beat the lesser talented teams beacuse his teams play very hard (rough).
Guard play is wins in March, thats why I like Nova

Okie Bob

 

[Mr. Black Cat]

Overrated...even after their win today...TEXAS.
Underrated...BIG TIME...ILLINOIS

 

[sdf]

Overrated...even after their win today...TEXAS.
Underrated...BIG TIME...ILLINOIS

illinois underrated?...projected to be a 2 seed..maybe a 3 seed...underrated?

this same Illinois team that lost at home to pennst?!

hmmm...ok


texas overrated - yes. they should make the sweet 16 but if they run into a strong shooting perimeter team, they could get bounced.

 

[DIRTY Diapers]

Overrated: IPFW

Underrated: IUPUI

 

[ScreaminPain]

love UCLA and ohio st also

I wouldn't get too excited about UCLA. Any team with a good matchup zone can keep the Bruins from scoring.

They play good defense and can beat most teams without a big man inside, but they are subject to turn the ball over too much when pressured.

Howland is bringing that "East Coast", half court, type of play to the Pac 10. Kinda' reminds me of Princton a few years back, where the first team to 40 could win the game..... :mj07:

 

[Jayhawk_Thor]

Hawk,

Oklahoma's problem is they have no point guard Everett is a wing and Neal is a shooter. Sampson has always been able to beat the lesser talented teams beacuse his teams play very hard (rough).
Guard play is wins in March, thats why I like Nova

Okie Bob

Point taken.

But I think a team can make a run without an elite PG, I just don't think they can go all the way.

This team has four legitamite college basketball stars and has one of the top 5 coaches in the land.

They usually just bully their way to two wins in the tournament against smaller teams, anyhow.

 

[Mully]

Under Rated: #1 ILLIONIS - seems like we all agree
#2 FLORIDA - started 17-0
#3 NORTH CAROLINA - Roy Williams

Over Rated: #1 GONZAGA- used to be underated
#2 OKLAHOMA -still in the top 20?
#3 IOWA- 17 of 22 wins at home!

 

[grandpa]

DUKE, who I seriously believe has ZERO chance...

You really will have your wallet raped if you cannot differentiate between subjectivity and objectivity.

OK, Duke faltered a little down the stretch, and has lost three games now! To say they have zero chance puts them in the same probability field as Morehead State, or Cal-Riverside, or any of the other teams not in the field.

Hate them if you must, but ZEO CHANCE?

Please please tell me you're joking.

 

[TheBiz]

ok, grandpa. Of course there is not Zero chance. It's called exaggerating for effect. And, yes, I can differentiate between subjectivity and objectivity. thank you. Relax on the ZERO. Anyway, I don't hate Duke by any means, actually have a friend who is an assistant coach there. Just think value-wise they are a great sale. If you are familiar with the whole futures trading of teams... u can sell Duke for about 30 on a four pay right now. they have to get to the finals for you to lose money!!! You are almost selling 3-1 odds on Duke... unbelievable odds. Duke always gets a little too much respect simply because they are Duke. They have no depth. A shaky point guard. Teams aren't going to let Reddick beat them anymore, and he looks exhausted anyway. I just really believe this is NOT a team that will win it all. I am going to be investing heavily in that thought. Just my opinion, I'm not asking you to agree. Just looking for opinions on teams to get other perspectives. I'm giving mine.

Screamin pain- I hear you. UCLA is actually a team that I haven't been able to waych that much, so I appreciate the opinion. From the little I saw of them, they just look damn talented.

 

[bear]

CT is Overrated.......right now...especially at +270 to take it all
I can think of at least 10 teams that, on a given night can put CT out!!! They ARE the best out there but they are NOT a mature, consistent team as is "Nova" There are a lotta freshmen and sophomores...and a coupla juniors that will be getting significant playing time here with the pressure of trying to win a NC.

Marcus Williams... major talent but...Nova ate him up...junior
Austrie...freshman.......spells Williams..........
Gay...sophomore...and playing like one
Jeff Adrian...freshman...solid but new to this kind of pressure
Josh Boone ..Junior........ having foul problems and missing most of first half play lately

They are not THAT DOMINANT....5 at a time......but they keep coming with fresh legs............Hey, I like CT to win it all but they are overrated right now.......esp at +270

I love Villanova and ....IF... they had Sumpter or just a little more depth.....they would be my pick....my fear is that they will wear down late in the tourney...underrated at +780

Duke is Duke and those kids can play.........they may also wear down late...especially Reddick.....He is going to have to work every minute against the best ....1 good team after the next..
overrated at +400

UNC....growing and gaining confidence in front of everyone...even if Duke is a tired club. underrated at +1500

bear

 

[IIIBUCKEYESIII]

My two sleepers are arkansas and marquette

 

[grandpa]

OK Biz- fair enough. Perhaps I over-reacted due to reading so many boards where hatred for Duke dictates crazy irrational statements, and the zero chance comment struck a chord. I get amusement from all of the "haters" who bet with their hearts and would rather lose $$ than side with the hated enemy. Personally, I have no favorites--they change every day.

I do think all of the talking heads are all saying the same thing, Nova and UConn will be there for sure, and speculation about the rest doesn't stray too far from the "safe" picks.

The Final Four has NEVER been all #1 seeds, and was 3 #1s once only ( I think). So with the parity of this field and so many good teams, and teams on the rise v teams on the downward swing, this tourney will be as tough to call as any.

The 4 # 1 seeds, without a doubt, to me are:

UConn
Villanova
Memphis
Duke

I think guard play is crucial getting to the tournament and winning the first two rounds. But for the Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final 4, etc, the big men play a much more vital role. I have liked UConn's depth, talent, experience and coaching from the start. I saw them win the 2004 title in SA, and this team looks even better.

I already cannot wait til 6pm next Sunday for the freakin' brackets!

GL all