2023-2024 B1G Basketball Thread

[ELA]

There was a lot of speculation about that midseason

[847badgerfan]

Tony will be 55 in June.

Dick was 58 when he walked away from Wisconsin, citing burnout.

I imagine there is more burnout in today's environment.

[ELA]

Tony will be 55 in June.

Dick was 58 when he walked away from Wisconsin, citing burnout.

I imagine there is more burnout in today's environment.

It's a very big "except for", but except for his national title run, Tony Bennett has only won 1 NCAA tournament game since 2016.  He beat UNC Wilmington in a 5-12 game in 2017.

[847badgerfan]

That's interesting to read as you lay it out.

Dick walked away from a Final Four the prior year, in like game 4 or 5 of the 2020 season. It was shocking, but it led to Bo Ryan.

That's what I call luck.

[ELA]

Montana State scored as many points in the first half tonight as Virginia scored all game last night

[grillrat]

Montana State scored as many points in the first half tonight as Virginia scored all game last night

I read a similar stat somewhere:  Purdue's Carsen Edward's scored as many points against Virginia in that 2019 elite 8 game as the entire Virginia team last night.

It's amazing how fast things can change.

[ELA]

Damn it, did I fall for the MWC again?

[Abba]

Field of 64 starts today.  I thought the Big Ten got some very favorable draws.  I wasn't really planning to pick them to go very far, but I do like these matchups.

Nebraska vs. aTM, then a chance at Houston.  Nebraska has some firepower and could definitely make a run to S16.

Purdue's region is super soft.  Tennessee is not a strong #2.  #4 Kansas is missing their top scorer.  #3 Creighton and #5 Gonzaga are maybe the scariest matchups, but actually I think #6 South Carolina is the team that Purdue wants to avoid.  I wouldn't normally pick Purdue to make the F4, but this bracket makes me think that they will.

Wisconsin vs. JMU (tough as discussed) and then a not so impressive #4 Duke.

Illinois has a decent shot at S16, but maybe not further than that as Iowa State is a very good #2.

Michigan State and Northwestern probably won't get beyond the round of 32, but a good chance to win the first game.

So with some breaks, we could have 4 Sweet 16s and a Final Four here.

[betarhoalphadelta]

So how do y'all think it ends for Purdue this year?

• Inexplicable loss to the 16, again, just because it would be totally Purdue to do that two years in a row. 
• Loss to the 8/9 team on Sunday.
• Losing in the S16 to Kansas, in a game eerily similar to a few years ago where they were in a tight battle for 25 minutes and then Kansas just went on a thermonuclear shooting run. 
• Losing in the E8 to Tennessee, a team where both coaches are familiar with each other and share mutual respect, know each other well, and unlike 2019 S16 matchup where Purdue just narrowly edged Tennessee, the Vols take this one. 
• The bracket is completely busted and Purdue has a golden path to the F4, but gets taken out by a double-digit seed in the S16 or E8. 

(Note the lack of any poll options where Purdue gets to the F4. Let's not engage in fantastical thinking.)

[Abba]

I say either F4 or E8.  The kryptonite to me is South Carolina, who I think they could see in the E8.  Also don't overlook Gonzaga in the S16.  I don't think Kansas will get past them.

[ELA]

I'm torn.  I think they got screwed with Utah State getting an 8 seed.  Reminds me of Illinois-Loyola in 2021.  But other than that, I think their region sets up wonderfully.

You have perennial tourney underachiever Rick Barnes at #2; a Kansas team with like 3 healthy players as the #4; a very overseeded Gonzaga at #5.

I think Utah State in the 2nd round might be the toughest matchup.

[LetsGoPeay]

Yep, Virginia was much more deserving of that bid than Indiana State. 

ISU vs SMU - 2024 NIT

[847badgerfan]

Kansas is missing its top guard. They could go down early.

[847badgerfan]

MSU looking pretty good against msu.