March Madness Discussion (Men's Nat'l Championship Game: Mon 4/8: Purdue vs UCONN)

[jkvonny]

Go Coogs!

[___Rand___]

You probably vaulted up quite a bit in the pick competition because at least 3 people near the top had Marquette in the final 4. One may have had them in the final.

I was 10th so I don't know where it'll end up. I picked NC State for fun to win it all. I did think they could get to Elite 8, but getting past it will be a real challenge. I think it would be a real tough for them against Houston but if it's Duke they will have a better chance.

You're tied for 3rd. It will all depend on which team wins it all between UConn, Houston or NC State. Now of course none of them will. The thing keeping you down from having a better chance is obviously having AZ get to the championship. But if NC State wins it all you may win it, especially if UConn doesn't even make it to the championship (which would help other brackets).

Yeah AZ was a disappointment. I picked Duke based on wrong info on Houston's injuries. So that hurts. I don't think Duke is beating Houston.

[ItsDanger]

Overrated Gonzaga gets humbled.

[bwgood77]

Which of these games would be better? I didn't know who to pick between Tennessee and Creighton but went with Tennessee. I had no problem picking Houston over Duke.

Or maybe I'll check the Kings/Mavs after watching the Suns get annihilated by OKC without SGA.

[jkvonny]

Creighton/Tenn should be a good one.
Creighton with the lead so far.

Houston Coogs with the lead as well over Duke

[___Rand___]

Which of these games would be better? I didn't know who to pick between Tennessee and Creighton but went with Tennessee. I had no problem picking Houston over Duke.

Or maybe I'll check the Kings/Mavs after watching the Suns get annihilated by OKC without SGA.

Tennessee is the better defensive team (but crap on offense). They are also very physical and are GROWN MEN. Their physicality should overwhelm Creighton unless refs intervene.

I like defensive teams like Houston and Tennessee but their half court offenses are just so freakin ugly and that worries me.

[___Rand___]

Here's my problem with Tenneessee - the point guard just hands the ball to their leading scorer Knecht. He's NOT that kind of player! He doesn't create! set up a screen for him to shoot his freakin 3s or drive and dish to him.

[bwgood77]

Here's my problem with Tenneessee - the point guard just hands the ball to their leading scorer Knecht. He's NOT that kind of player! He doesn't create! set up a screen for him to shoot his freakin 3s or drive and dish to him.

Who are your favorite college prospects for the NBA? Particularly mid-late first round. More particularly: Suns.

[RookieStar]

Cmon Duke. Surprise me!!

[___Rand___]

Two defensive teams playing in both games DICTATING game play. Neither game's scoring has broken 20 point mark.

[azcatz11]

McCain is a beast

[___Rand___]

Here's my problem with Tenneessee - the point guard just hands the ball to their leading scorer Knecht. He's NOT that kind of player! He doesn't create! set up a screen for him to shoot his freakin 3s or drive and dish to him.

Who are your favorite college prospects for the NBA? Particularly mid-late first round. More particularly: Suns.

I'm not really high on this year's class unlike the last 2 years when there were some clear top prospects. Knecht from Tennessee should be a good shooter. I like the forwards on Houston and Tennessee as defenders, hustle and energy guys coming off the bench so maybe 2nd round (have no idea where they are rated tbh). Nelson from Bama as a 6'10" big who can handle and shoot.

Here's a sneaky prospect NOBODY has talked about - Ryan Griffen a 6'5" 6'6" shooting guard from Bama. Their best perimeter defender and a good 3 point shooter, still a bit raw and very skinny. He has long arms and limbs and athletic, the kind of body type NBA scouts like, and I have a feeling someone will draft him this year with mid to late round just based on his upside potential and a weak draft. Pick him up in 1st, stash him in G league till he bulks up. Personally I'd like to see him stay in Bama 1 more year but someone is going to whisper in his ear. But I don't know if Suns are going to wait for someone to develop given all the win-now players. So someone who's ready to play like Knecht?

[___Rand___]

I expected Tennessee to dominate with their physicality but their crappy offense is holding them back. Duke is hanging with Houston too for the same reason. Maybe this isn't the year of the defensive teams.

[rockmanslim]

Hour long halftimes are crazy. Halftime so long Shead fully healed by now

[bwgood77]

Here's my problem with Tenneessee - the point guard just hands the ball to their leading scorer Knecht. He's NOT that kind of player! He doesn't create! set up a screen for him to shoot his freakin 3s or drive and dish to him.

Who are your favorite college prospects for the NBA? Particularly mid-late first round. More particularly: Suns.

I'm not really high on this year's class unlike the last 2 years when there were some clear top prospects. Knecht from Tennessee should be a good shooter. I like the forwards on Houston and Tennessee as defenders, hustle and energy guys coming off the bench so maybe 2nd round (have no idea where they are rated tbh). Nelson from Bama as a 6'10" big who can handle and shoot.

Here's a sneaky prospect NOBODY has talked about - Ryan Griffen a 6'5" 6'6" shooting guard from Bama. Their best perimeter defender and a good 3 point shooter, still a bit raw and very skinny. He has long arms and limbs and athletic, the kind of body type NBA scouts like, and I have a feeling someone will draft him this year with mid to late round just based on his upside potential and a weak draft. Pick him up in 1st, stash him in G league till he bulks up. Personally I'd like to see him stay in Bama 1 more year but someone is going to whisper in his ear. But I don't know if Suns are going to wait for someone to develop given all the win-now players. So someone who's ready to play like Knecht?

Probably someone who is ready to play. They will only have a pick in the mid to late teens (unless they make a run in the playoffs). But yeah, someone who can play tough defense and shoot. I really would love a defensive C. They also need a PG so I was watching Kolek...but not sure of his NBA upside. He looks high IQ...kind of like Nash did in college, but a better shooter and passer in college...and defender. But obviously he's no Nash so maybe he ends up somewhere between Nash and TJ McConnell if he is able to make it in the NBA...seems like he will with that high IQ despite his size and limited athleticism.

But you can always use 3D guys. Not sure if they will be able to re-sign Grayson Allen and/or Royce O'Neale...they really need to keep Allen. He's been one bright spot this year for them.

[bwgood77]

I expected Tennessee to dominate with their physicality but their crappy offense is holding them back. Duke is hanging with Houston too for the same reason. Maybe this isn't the year of the defensive teams.

Who got injured? I heard them talking about an injured guy and saw a guy going to the locker room but wasn't paying close enough attention.

[eminence]

I expected Tennessee to dominate with their physicality but their crappy offense is holding them back. Duke is hanging with Houston too for the same reason. Maybe this isn't the year of the defensive teams.

Who got injured? I heard them talking about an injured guy and saw a guy going to the locker room but wasn't paying close enough attention.

Shead sprained his ankle badly.

[eminence]

Who are your favorite college prospects for the NBA? Particularly mid-late first round. More particularly: Suns.

I'm not really high on this year's class unlike the last 2 years when there were some clear top prospects. Knecht from Tennessee should be a good shooter. I like the forwards on Houston and Tennessee as defenders, hustle and energy guys coming off the bench so maybe 2nd round (have no idea where they are rated tbh). Nelson from Bama as a 6'10" big who can handle and shoot.

Here's a sneaky prospect NOBODY has talked about - Ryan Griffen a 6'5" 6'6" shooting guard from Bama. Their best perimeter defender and a good 3 point shooter, still a bit raw and very skinny. He has long arms and limbs and athletic, the kind of body type NBA scouts like, and I have a feeling someone will draft him this year with mid to late round just based on his upside potential and a weak draft. Pick him up in 1st, stash him in G league till he bulks up. Personally I'd like to see him stay in Bama 1 more year but someone is going to whisper in his ear. But I don't know if Suns are going to wait for someone to develop given all the win-now players. So someone who's ready to play like Knecht?

Probably someone who is ready to play. They will only have a pick in the mid to late teens (unless they make a run in the playoffs). But yeah, someone who can play tough defense and shoot. I really would love a defensive C. They also need a PG so I was watching Kolek...but not sure of his NBA upside. He looks high IQ...kind of like Nash did in college, but a better shooter and passer in college...and defender. But obviously he's no Nash so maybe he ends up somewhere between Nash and TJ McConnell if he is able to make it in the NBA...seems like he will with that high IQ despite his size and limited athleticism.

But you can always use 3D guys. Not sure if they will be able to re-sign Grayson Allen and/or Royce O'Neale...they really need to keep Allen. He's been one bright spot this year for them.

I don't see many defensive centers in the mid first (unless Clingan fell), in the 2nd Adem Bona or Holmes II could be options.

Kalkbrenner for Creighton could maybe pull off a poor man's BroLo impression.

[___Rand___]

Who are your favorite college prospects for the NBA? Particularly mid-late first round. More particularly: Suns.

I'm not really high on this year's class unlike the last 2 years when there were some clear top prospects. Knecht from Tennessee should be a good shooter. I like the forwards on Houston and Tennessee as defenders, hustle and energy guys coming off the bench so maybe 2nd round (have no idea where they are rated tbh). Nelson from Bama as a 6'10" big who can handle and shoot.

Here's a sneaky prospect NOBODY has talked about - Ryan Griffen a 6'5" 6'6" shooting guard from Bama. Their best perimeter defender and a good 3 point shooter, still a bit raw and very skinny. He has long arms and limbs and athletic, the kind of body type NBA scouts like, and I have a feeling someone will draft him this year with mid to late round just based on his upside potential and a weak draft. Pick him up in 1st, stash him in G league till he bulks up. Personally I'd like to see him stay in Bama 1 more year but someone is going to whisper in his ear. But I don't know if Suns are going to wait for someone to develop given all the win-now players. So someone who's ready to play like Knecht?

Probably someone who is ready to play. They will only have a pick in the mid to late teens (unless they make a run in the playoffs). But yeah, someone who can play tough defense and shoot. I really would love a defensive C. They also need a PG so I was watching Kolek...but not sure of his NBA upside. He looks high IQ...kind of like Nash did in college, but a better shooter and passer in college...and defender. But obviously he's no Nash so maybe he ends up somewhere between Nash and TJ McConnell if he is able to make it in the NBA...seems like he will with that high IQ despite his size and limited athleticism.

But you can always use 3D guys. Not sure if they will be able to re-sign Grayson Allen and/or Royce O'Neale...they really need to keep Allen. He's been one bright spot this year for them.

Kolek is nice. Is his BBIQ enough? I don't know if he's quick enough for the NBA or how he's going to defend but this draft class, why not. IMO mature ready to play point guards are a rarity and you can live without one (trade for Schroeder from Nets). Grayson Allen has to be a priority for suns. He's fitting in there quite nicely. Larson from Arizona? How is Shannon from Illini? haven't watched him play TBH due to my disdain for B10 BBall. At 6'6" he's got NBA height.

[___Rand___]

I expected Tennessee to dominate with their physicality but their crappy offense is holding them back. Duke is hanging with Houston too for the same reason. Maybe this isn't the year of the defensive teams.

Who got injured? I heard them talking about an injured guy and saw a guy going to the locker room but wasn't paying close enough attention.

Shead sprained his ankle badly.

Yeah it's over for Houston witho Shead. He's their engine.