~2017-18 Big Ten Basketball Thread~

[TyphonInc]

This game is tough to watch

Yes it was. Congrats to Syracuse squeaking in and making the most of it.

[DevilFroggy]

That 'cuse 2-3 zone is tough as nails, which is has to be because their offense is pathetic. All of 3 'cuse's tourney wins were in spite of their offense (shot less than 40% all 3 games).

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm not sure I've ever watched a team take 24(!!) more shots than its opposition and lose. Syracuse needed 40 minutes to get off 42 shots; MSU, 66.

[HailHailMSP]

I’m a huge fan of Ward. Don’t get his lack of minutes down the stretch, or JJJ for that matter. The high post entry should a be a good spot for a jump shooter and passer. Perfect for Bridges, but he was hanging out on the wing.

Also, when you 3 seconds left and have 29 offensive boards why not stack the box and try to miss that 2nd free throw? Worst case scenario is the guy who is 43% from the line gets the rebound for cuse.

Puzzled by the 2nd half strategy.

[ELA]

I'm not sure I've ever watched a team take 24(!!) more shots than its opposition and lose. Syracuse needed 40 minutes to get off 42 shots; MSU, 66.

MSU dominated the boards, and Syracuse shot about 20 more FTs.  Those two factors will lead to very lopsided shot attempts.

[ELA]

Michigan is going to the Final 4

[847badgerfan]

F Syracuse. F Jim Boeheim. F Lance Armstrong. F Tiger Woods.



Is that enough George Carlin for one day?

[FearlessF]

I'd like more

[MaximumSam]

Bracket gods giveth, and now taketh away as the Tar Heels crash and burn.  

[TyphonInc]

Down Goes the BearCats. Wow!

[Anonymous Coward]

According to KenPom, and excluding the national final, Gonzaga is the only team that remains in Michigan's potential path that would be favored over M in a match-up. 
Anyone can win any game, etc., but the losses by #2's today were awfully helpful to M's chances according to the number sheets.

[Anonymous Coward]

And that was before Xavier lost. 
Wow. Now, every 1-, 2-, and 3-seed on the entire left side of the bracket (South + West) is out ... except for Michigan. Just an insane opening weekend.

[Anonymous Coward]

Informative tweet:

John Gasaway

@JohnGasaway

·
1h
[/size]
This is the wackiest Sweet 16 in 18 years.

2018 average seed: 5.31
2000 average seed: 5.31

Normal (1985-2018): 4.45
Wackiest, 1986: 5.56
Chalkiest, 2009: 3.06

[medinabuckeye1]

Informative tweet:

John Gasaway

@JohnGasaway

·
1h

This is the wackiest Sweet 16 in 18 years.

2018 average seed: 5.31
2000 average seed: 5.31

Normal (1985-2018): 4.45
Wackiest, 1986: 5.56
Chalkiest, 2009: 3.06

It is crazy how the brackets work out.  On the right-hand side (East/Midwest) it is mostly chalk.  You have:

• Both #1 seeds Nova, Kansas
• Both #2 seeds PU, Dook
• One #3 seed TxTech
• Both #5 seeds Clemson, WVU
• One #11 seed Cuse

Then on the left-hand side (South/West) there is almost no chalk.  You have:

• One #3 seed Michigan
• One #4 seed Gonzaga
• One #5 seed Kentucky
• Both #7 seeds aTm, Nevada
• Both #9 seeds KSU, FSU
• One #11 seed Loyola-Chicago

If you view #5 seeds as not "really" upsets then on the right you have only one upset and on the left you have five out of eight.