2023 NCAA Tournament thread

[Tommy]

Sure, but it also doesn't help in some cases. Deen certainly has more struggles to overcome than a player that is much taller. Duke had trouble driving at all this year to the point where he didn't even put up layups unless literally wide open. Duke had trouble creating his shot at times because of players being taller than him. Duke struggled to stop shooters at times because he was too short to disrupt them, and he often got in foul trouble. That is not to bash him at all. He is a solid, but streaky shooter, and seems to be a nice leader on the court. He is not a liability in any area, but height certainly creates challenges. It is why Deen had to get subbed in and out at the end of games this year when Bradley was experiencing their best run.

So no, a small player can be really good. But the percentage chance it happens is very low. It has to be a really special player able to overcome all of the obstacles we just talked about. So height might not preclude it, but it certainly adds obstacles to it.

Well yeah, height is helpful in basketball! Nobody would argue that point!

[BUSongwriter]

A couple of thoughts . . .

Drake (-7 points) played Miami tougher than either No. 4 seed Indiana (-16 points) or No. 1 seed Houston (-14 points). I'll always wonder how far the Bulldogs could have gone had they a) held that late lead against Miami or b) had a different first round draw.

Also, with the presence of San Diego State and Florida Atlantic in the Elite 8 and the successes of other mid-majors, I've heard a lot of talk from the commentators about parity. It would be nice if that parity would be reflected in future tournaments by recognizing that the regular season champions of non-Power 5 conferences are pretty good and deserving teams. But I'm not holding my breath.

[tomahawk chop]

A couple of thoughts . . .

Drake (-7 points) played Miami tougher than either No. 4 seed Indiana (-16 points) or No. 1 seed Houston (-14 points). I'll always wonder how far the Bulldogs could have gone had they a) held that late lead against Miami or b) had a different first round draw.

Also, with the presence of San Diego State and Florida Atlantic in the Elite 8 and the successes of other mid-majors, I've heard a lot of talk from the commentators about parity. It would be nice if that parity would be reflected in future tournaments by recognizing that the regular season champions of non-Power 5 conferences are pretty good and deserving teams. But I'm not holding my breath.

Florida Atlantic takes down big 12 power house K.State and are in the final 4. Their seeding was obviously not right and their league deserved more bids. Once again the at large bids are not fair to the smaller conferences and the seeding is way off as witnessed by the games that have been played in the tour. this season. They need to make big changes ahead because this bias needs to end.

[Da Coach]

Florida Atlantic takes down big 12 power house K.State and are in the final 4. Their seeding was obviously not right and their league deserved more bids. Once again the at large bids are not fair to the smaller conferences and the seeding is way off as witnessed by the games that have been played in the tour. this season. They need to make big changes ahead because this bias needs to end.

The CUSA got just 1 NCAA bid, Florida Atlantic, and it was the autobid. They did not get any at-large bids. Florida Atlantic is now in the Final Four.
The CUSA also has 2 teams in the NIT Final Four, North Texas and UAB,
And another CUSA team, Charlotte, won the CBI.

The CUSA could easily have winners in both the CBI and NIT, and though It's unlikely to happen, it's still possible the CUSA could win all 3 tournaments.

[tomahawk chop]

The CUSA got just 1 NCAA bid, Florida Atlantic, and it was the autobid. They did not get any at-large bids. Florida Atlantic is now in the Final Four.
The CUSA also has 2 teams in the NIT Final Four, North Texas and UAB,
And another CUSA team, Charlotte, won the CBI.

The CUSA could easily have winners in both the CBI and NIT, and though It's unlikely to happen, it's still possible the CUSA could win all 3 tournaments.

CUSA should have had 3 teams in the tour; FAU, N.Texas and UAB. Had those teams been looked at better they deserved 3 spots in the tour. The only reason why is because the committee is biased.

[bradleyfan124]

CUSA should have had 3 teams in the tour; FAU, N.Texas and UAB. Had those teams been looked at better they deserved 3 spots in the tour. The only reason why is because the committee is biased.

NCAA favors teams. They dont treat teams equally. They put Wisconsin as the home team even though Bradley had the higher seed because they favor the Big Ten. They would rather see a Big Ten team advance than a MVC team. I truly believe had they played the game at Bradley BU would have won. Either way you have to win but they stack the deck against non Power conference schools

[bradleyfan124]

Jerome Tang, Coach of K-State is a class act. After losing the other day he went into the locker room and told them to hold their heads up. It was said there are alot worse things in life than losing a basketball game. Kept everything in perspective. Good for him

[tomahawk chop]

Jerome Tang, Coach of K-State is a class act. After losing the other day he went into the locker room and told them to hold their heads up. It was said there are alot worse things in life than losing a basketball game. Kept everything in perspective. Good for him

Agree, a class act in how he handled a tough loss. So much better then Izzo who never gave credit to the team that beat them and only made excuses on why they lost.

[carter]

Totally agree with you Tomahawk!!I said the same thing on Facebook.Basically he said they didn't shoot or rebound but didn't give any credit to KSU.He basically in a round about way KSU got lucky.I think Izzo is an arrogant SOB!!

[Classof77]

Miami 28 of 32 from the free throw line to beat Texas. I love teams that make free throws.

Agree with the comments on Izzo's behavior following Michigan State's loss. No class. I don't like Michigan because, well, they're Michigan. I don't like Michigan State because of Izzo.

Pulling for FAU for the championship.

[bradleyfan124]

Miami 28 of 32 from the free throw line to beat Texas. I love teams that make free throws.

Agree with the comments on Izzo's behavior following Michigan State's loss. No class. I don't like Michigan because, well, they're Michigan. I don't like Michigan State because of Izzo.

Pulling for FAU for the championship.

Let me make a point here. Drake ahead of Miami by 8 then losing by just a few points does not look so bad for Drake or the MVC right now.

[bigjimmy]

Thought I heard this is the first time since 1970 that there are 3 1st time final four participants and the 1st time since seeding began in 1070 that no team seeded better the Number 4 made the Final Four. Pretty cool. I'm sure Drake's players, especially DeVries and Penn, really regret how bad they played that last 5:00 of the Miami game. But Miami has showed a lot of fortitude and resilience in all of their games and it was another very impressive 2nd half comeback. How impressive was MIami's Jordan Miller in this game as he was perfect in the game, 7-7 from the field and 13-13 from the FT line. He joins Christian Laettner as being the only players since 1960 to go a combined 20-20 combined from the field in a NCAA tournedy game.

[bradleyfan124]

Let me make a point here. Drake ahead of Miami by 8 then losing by just a few points does not look so bad for Drake or the MVC right now.

By the way. Drake, who almost beat a final four team, did not win their regular season conference championship. What team did?

[64NIT]

Just think, Miami vs. FAU for the national championship. It's only about an hour from Coral Gables to Boca Raton.

I wonder how many brackets have been busted by this Final Four and the way the teams got there.

[Bradley3342]

Just think, Miami vs. FAU for the national championship. It's only about an hour from Coral Gables to Boca Raton.

I wonder how many brackets have been busted by this Final Four and the way the teams got there.

Love it!