I actually like Michigan being in the same region as Kansas. If the Wolverines get by VCU.

I actually like Michigan being in the same region as Kansas. If the Wolverines get by VCU.

 

I do too. Not that it means much but my brother is a South Dakota alum and lives in South Dakota. He's watched a lot of South Dakota State. Says they're a scrappy team with an unbelievable point guard. Certainly will be interesting. Go Blue!

I was hoping for the Burke-Wolters matchup. Jackrabbits can definitely win that game. Then VCU vs either Burke or Wolters will be a blast.

I was hoping for the Burke-Wolters matchup. Jackrabbits can definitely win that game. Then VCU vs either Burke or Wolters will be a blast.

 

I know you do t think highly of Michigan but I just think they have the athleticism for the tournament and I like the draw for them.

I understand they may be the sexy pick to get upset as well.

I liked the Jackrabbits as a possible upset team before I saw the draw. To me this comes down to no matter how good Wolters is, Michigan still has the best player in the game in Trey Burke. SD St. doesn't play good defense, so this one should be at least very fun to watch!

A couple more games I'd like a few .02 on.....

 

VCU (5) - Akron (12) - I'll admit I don't know much about Akron. But Ohio beat Michigan last year and Akron handled Ohio in the MAC final. As tough as VCU is to play, they can struggle to score and if guards can handle the pressure, they are beatable, even by a lesser team. I know VCU is everyone's darling pick, but could this year by Chaka Smart's year to fall to the 12/5 jinx and by higher expectations?

San Diego St (7) - Oklahoma (10) - Gut says go chalk, but not for a specific reason.

 

Upsets? Minny over UCLA? UCLA's PG is hurt and won't play. Who the hell knows what you'll get out of Tubby and Co. Florida Gulf Coast over Georgetown? I think G'town plays defense too well, but they can struggle on offense. AND, the last 4 appearances for G'town have ended in losses to double digit seeds.

 

Thoughts?

Since I live in Kansas I'd love your opinion of KU and its fanbase. Do you all ever run into Kansas fans?

As far as this region ... Kansas has iffy point guard play in Johnson and Tharpe. Ben McLemore who is a 2 guard, however, is good. Say what you want about Bill Self. He is a good coach.

I think Kansas might get upset by North Carolina this time. If KU survives that game and also the Michigan game, I think it will win it all. Those 2 games are very very difficult for Kansas IMO. I can't see the J-hawks beating Michigan.

A couple more games I'd like a few .02 on.....

 

VCU (5) - Akron (12) - I'll admit I don't know much about Akron. But Ohio beat Michigan last year and Akron handled Ohio in the MAC final. As tough as VCU is to play, they can struggle to score and if guards can handle the pressure, they are beatable, even by a lesser team. I know VCU is everyone's darling pick, but could this year by Chaka Smart's year to fall to the 12/5 jinx and by higher expectations?

San Diego St (7) - Oklahoma (10) - Gut says go chalk, but not for a specific reason.

 

Upsets? Minny over UCLA? UCLA's PG is hurt and won't play. Who the hell knows what you'll get out of Tubby and Co. Florida Gulf Coast over Georgetown? I think G'town plays defense too well, but they can struggle on offense. AND, the last 4 appearances for G'town have ended in losses to double digit seeds.

 

Thoughts?

 

Akron just lost their PG and have to go up against VCU's press. They are going to turn the ball over 20 times. That game will be a rout.

 

SDSU-Oklahoma are two teams I barely saw play at all this year. I'm gonna flip a coin on that one.

 

I also like Minnesota over UCLA. UCLA just lost Jordan Adams and I can just see Shabazz Muhammad mailing it in.

Since I live in Kansas I'd love your opinion of KU and its fanbase. Do you all ever run into Kansas fans?

As far as this region ... Kansas has iffy point guard play in Johnson and Tharpe. Ben McLemore who is a 2 guard, however, is good. Say what you want about Bill Self. He is a good coach.

I think Kansas might get upset by North Carolina this time. If KU survives that game and also the Michigan game, I think it will win it all. Those 2 games are very very difficult for Kansas IMO. I can't see the J-hawks beating Michigan.

 

I haven't run into the Kansas fan base in a long time, but IU played KU a few times in the early 90's and Kansas fans were always courteous. I don't recall anything negative about them other than they beat IU twice in 1993, which was the last great team IU has had. I really felt if Alan Henderson wouldn't have gotten hurt, we'd have won the 2nd time in the Elite 8, but KU was good that year.

This region is giving me the most trouble to sort through. I think it's the toughest to pick without a doubt.

Edited March 19, 201313 yr by IlliniKrush

Since I live in Kansas I'd love your opinion of KU and its fanbase. Do you all ever run into Kansas fans?

As far as this region ... Kansas has iffy point guard play in Johnson and Tharpe. Ben McLemore who is a 2 guard, however, is good. Say what you want about Bill Self. He is a good coach.

I think Kansas might get upset by North Carolina this time. If KU survives that game and also the Michigan game, I think it will win it all. Those 2 games are very very difficult for Kansas IMO. I can't see the J-hawks beating Michigan.

 

Oh God, don't get us Cyclone fans started on Kansas.

 

Bill Self is one of the very best coaches in the nation, though.

Trey Burke with a scarey fall, hopefully okay.

Michigan blowing a couple of fast breaks. Should be up 15. Where have I seen this.? (Wisconsin game)

You must have been watching a different game, Michigan never controlled the tempo against Wisconsin.

 

Michigan scored under 60 in regulation 4 times this year, lost all 4.

 

Thats why Im surprised people are so high on VCU against Michigan, VCU speeding the game up is what Michigan wants.

Edited March 22, 201313 yr by Soxbadger

You must have been watching a different game, Michigan never controlled the tempo against Wisconsin.

 

Michigan scored under 60 in regulation 4 times this year, lost all 4.

 

Thats why Im surprised people are so high on VCU against Michigan, VCU speeding the game up is what Michigan wants.

 

The first half, when Wisconsin only had 17, Michigan could have been up 10 at the break if they didnt screw up fast breaks.

You must have been watching a different game, Michigan never controlled the tempo against Wisconsin.

 

Michigan scored under 60 in regulation 4 times this year, lost all 4.

 

Thats why Im surprised people are so high on VCU against Michigan, VCU speeding the game up is what Michigan wants.

 

Yeah I don't understand that either, Michigan matches up great with VCU and good with Kansas too by the style both teams play. But in order to beat VCU, Burke is going to have to play a lot better than today. Michigan had Hardaway, Robinson, McGary, and others step up, but all year long the 3 point and jump shot has been inconsistant for the role players, especially the Freshmen that play.

Barkley saying Michigan needs big guy to step up, after McGary goes for 13 and 9. I'll take that every game from him.

I think the bigger problem was that Michigan gave up 51 points to the Badgers in the second half...

 

Michigan missed some chances in the 1st half, but if we are living in a fantasy land, I assume that Wisconsin also wont shoot 5 from 29 either.

 

But who cares, they likely wont play again until next year, and hopefully McGary, Hardaway, Burke are gone

 

Barkley saying Michigan needs big guy to step up, after McGary goes for 13 and 9. I'll take that every game from him.

 

Heck yeah. Michigan needs to have constant energy from McGary, Morgan, and Horford, creating a 3 headed monster.

I think the bigger problem was that Michigan gave up 51 points to the Badgers in the second half...

 

Michigan missed some chances in the 1st half, but if we are living in a fantasy land, I assume that Wisconsin also wont shoot 5 from 29 either.

 

But who cares, they likely wont play again until next year, and hopefully McGary, Hardaway, Burke are gone

 

I can't see McGary leaving after 1 year, could be wrong though.

I can dream.

I can't see McGary leaving after 1 year, could be wrong though.

 

I love Trey, but he needs to stay one more year. Hardaway is NBA ready now.

I can dream.

 

Haha dreams seem to work for Wisconsin sometime, kind of like the fade away near half court shot against Michigan.

I love Trey, but he needs to stay one more year. Hardaway is NBA ready now.

 

I'm already writing off Burke and Hardaway unfortunately and I'm really hoping Robinson doesn't pull a one and done because he is nowhere close to being ready.