2020-2021 B1G Basketball Thread

[MaximumSam]

IMHO, it is difficult for a team to switch back and forth between levels of competition.

Gonzaga's Nov/Dec schedule was very strong. They opened with Kansas and by December 26 they had also played Auburn, WVU, Iowa, and Virginia.

Then for two and a half months from 12/26 through late March their idea of a tough game was . . .
BYU.

I think it is difficult to re-adjust to playing quality opponents after playing crap for so long.

Congratulations Baylor!

I dunno, I think playing Baylor does that more than anything else. Baylor did to them what they did to every other team, which was get ridiculous pressure up front and rebound everything. 

[medinabuckeye1]

I dunno, I think playing Baylor does that more than anything else. Baylor did to them what they did to every other team, which was get ridiculous pressure up front and rebound everything.

That is certainly a factor but Gonzaga was the favorite and they didn't just lose, they looked like they didn't belong. I think not playing a quality opponent for three months is a factor in that.

[FearlessF]

Zags just had an off night

it happens

Baylor is solid and played a great game.  Got a great start and kept the foot pedal down

[MaximumSam]

That is certainly a factor but Gonzaga was the favorite and they didn't just lose, they looked like they didn't belong. I think not playing a quality opponent for three months is a factor in that.

But they whipped Creighton, whipped USC, and but for UCLA being unable to miss long jumpers, would have whipped them too. Conversely, the entire B1G couldn't go a game without playing a tough opponent, then flamed out in the tourney. I just think Baylor is an unusually good team and the Zags got behind and could never quite make up the distance. I didn't at all think they looked like they shouldn't be there.

[medinabuckeye1]

But they whipped Creighton, whipped USC, and but for UCLA being unable to miss long jumpers, would have whipped them too. Conversely, the entire B1G couldn't go a game without playing a tough opponent, then flamed out in the tourney. I just think Baylor is an unusually good team and the Zags got behind and could never quite make up the distance. I didn't at all think they looked like they shouldn't be there.

I guess that is the fundamental weakness of a single elimination tournament. It is entirely possible that Gonzaga just had an off night or Baylor just had a great night. If this was a seven game series we'd find out. It isn't, so the one game result is the only thing we get. 

[OrangeAfroMan]

Yep, the champ was identified because they were hot and the undefeated team of greatness gets a poop sandwich for their efforts.  

A brilliant system football should copy.

[betarhoalphadelta]

Yep, the champ was identified because they were hot and the undefeated team of greatness gets a poop sandwich for their efforts. 

A brilliant system football should copy.

So you're saying the undefeated team of greatness (UCF) should get declared national champion too? 

[Brutus Buckeye]

Or the undefeated Buckeyes in 2006, rather than the one loss Florida team that got hot at the right time? 

[OrangeAfroMan]

You guys aren't very good at what you're trying to do.  

[bayareabadger]

Yep, the champ was identified because they were hot and the undefeated team of greatness gets a poop sandwich for their efforts. 

A brilliant system football should copy.

I will leave the joke making to someone else, and instead point this out. This system, for all its many flaws ended with the two best teams, based on the full season, playing against each other. Then one of them won.

there are other outcomes you can complain about, but this season’s outcome is literally on track with how the more selective system send it. This is just about no way it’s focused on the “hot” team.

[FearlessF]

Yep, the champ was identified because they were hot and the undefeated team of greatness gets a poop sandwich for their efforts. 

A brilliant system football should copy.

the same thing happens in a single game elimination 4-team tournament in football

football has already copied this

[betarhoalphadelta]

You guys aren't very good at what you're trying to do. 

I just quibble with your "undefeated team of greatness" comment about Gonzaga.

They were ranked #1 in the country, playing in the West Coast Conference with a KenPom strength of schedule of 72nd overall--which includes all of their tourney games. 

They did play a pretty good OOC slate, but prior to the tourney they hadn't played anyone decent since December. The best team they played to make it to the title game in the tourney was a 5 seed, and they almost lost to the 11 seed in the Final Four. 

And then literally the best team they played all year beat the snot out of them. 

Maybe the "undefeated team of greatness" was simply a veteran-laden team who overperformed early-season when other teams were still gelling after a COVID-disrupted year, and then by the time other teams were getting better, they had no more ceiling.

So you're saying that the undefeated team of greatness with a few good early OOC wins and then coasting through a sh!t conference, should have been crowned champion, but you don't allow the same for a UCF team from a sh!t conference that beat a B1G team OOC, and closed the season wonderfully with their final 3 games to beat a then-ranked USF team, beat a then-ranked Memphis team, and then finish beating #7-ranked Auburn in a Big Six bowl game.

What makes 2020 Gonzaga any more special than 2017 UCF? 

[FearlessF]

imagine if 2017 UCF would have been invited to the 4-team tourney?

[betarhoalphadelta]

imagine if 2017 UCF would have been invited to the 4-team tourney?

They probably would have gotten beat just like Gonzaga, and OAM would feel sad for the undefeated team of greatness that didn't get their championship...

Right, OAM?