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

___Rand___ · Post #1221 » by **___Rand___** » Sun Mar 31, 2024 11:46 pm

Told you guys man. they can handle Duke and all them other teams except UConn. They got a chance against Purdue. Edey is tough. I think they'll double him with 2 forwards. They've done that before with other bigs. Their guards have to take care of Purdue's guards. Purdue 3 is always a risk.

Wolfgang630 · Post #1222 » by **Wolfgang630** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 12:12 am

Tata duke lol

Post #1223 » by **bwgood77** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 1:30 am

Great to see NC State beat Duke again.

I don't think Purdue will have too big of a problem with NC State though. I have thought all season the 3 best teams were UConn, Houston and Purdue, well ahead of the rest. Houston got injured, so I picked UConn. I did have Purdue losing to Houston in my bracket but obviously wasn't expecting them to also lose Shead.

Even though I like underdog stories, I think UConn would beat NC State by like 30 or 40, so I'd rather Purdue make it. I don't think UConn would have a ton of trouble with Purdue, but it might be relatively close. I don't think UConn has had a game within 13 points in 2 years in the tourney.

This year Northwestern kept the closest to them, only losing by 17.

___Rand___ · Post #1224 » by **___Rand___** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 1:56 am

bwgood77 wrote:Great to see NC State beat Duke again.

I don't think Purdue will have too big of a problem with NC State though. I have thought all season the 3 best teams were UConn, Houston and Purdue, well ahead of the rest. Houston got injured, so I picked UConn. I did have Purdue losing to Houston in my bracket but obviously wasn't expecting them to also lose Shead.

Even though I like underdog stories, I think UConn would beat NC State by like 30 or 40, so I'd rather Purdue make it. I don't think UConn would have a ton of trouble with Purdue, but it might be relatively close. I don't think UConn has had a game within 13 points in 2 years in the tourney.

This year Northwestern kept the closest to them, only losing by 17.

Purdue's guards are too small for UConn. Loyer or Smith won't match up well with UConn's perimeter players. Clingan can handle Edey himself. Coaching match up Hurley is better.

I do think NC State will give Purdue problems. Nobody's thought that they would to other teams. Here they are in Final 4. Burns and Diarra can double on Edey. Their perimeter players are good defensively as you saw today or at other games. Won't be easy for Purdue but yes Purdue has Edey and that's an advantage. Burns won't be able to get shots off Edey. But, Kevin Keatts has done nice adjustments through out the tournament. I like the looks he gave Burns today using his mobility. Something we haven't seen yet.

Maybe Burns and Diarra can give Clingan the same problem if they manage to contain Edey. Should be interesting to watch!

Curmudgeon · Post #1225 » by **Curmudgeon** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 2:08 am

NC State's guards are underrated. They were impresssive handling a very good Duke fullcourt zone press.

Special_Puppy · Post #1226 » by **Special_Puppy** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 2:59 am

If Connecticut and Purdue face off in the finals, I think I'd set the line at -4 UConn.

The4thHorseman · Post #1227 » by **The4thHorseman** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 3:35 am

An Edey vs. Clingan finals would be epic.

___Rand___ · Post #1228 » by **___Rand___** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 8:27 am

I had been saying since pre-tournament NC State has been playing very good defense in my eyes. NC State was ranked 90th defense by Kenpom coming into the tournament. They don't look 90th to my eyes. Here's what they've done against their opponents' FG% and 3P%:

Texas Tech - 38.7%, 22.6%
Oakland - 36.8%, 34.3%
Marquette - 33.3%, 12.9%
Duke - 32.2%, 25%

NC State has held all of their opponents below 40% FG%, and well below those teams' season averages. The poor shooting of their opponents haven't been a coincidence. The 2 best defensive teams in the tournament - Houston and Tennessee - didn't have the same kind of performance in the tournament. And more impressive is what they did against Marquette and Duke.

Wolfpack have made a leap a corresponding leap in defensive ratings - to 45th ranked defense from 90th ranked that included their run in ACC tournament- in just four games. FOUR GAMES. That's impressive.

https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/ncaab/ncaa-tournament-bracket-based-using-kenpom-ratings-sgc/
https://kenpom.com/index.php

shi-woo · Post #1229 » by **shi-woo** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 2:02 pm

I think the Edey vs Burns matchup with be a wash in some regards. I'm very impressed with the patience and passing of Burns in this tourney. He doesn't force it and has been a very good facilitator at times. The actions they use to get him the ball on the high block to scan the defense has worked all tourney, and has the potential to mitigate Edey's size if they can continue to put guys away from the basket.

I saw all I needed to see from DR Horne in this tourney. He's the real deal, at least in college. I'd be more concerned about him than Burns if i'm Purdue. Horne has been able to get where ever he wants on the floor this Match, and again, he's a 5 year senior so he's not scared of the moment. You could tell he was loving the pressure last night, and I expect him to have a fantastic game against Purdue.

The rael issue for NCS is going to be on the other end of the court. Purdue has shooters, legit 3pnt specialists. Duke missed so many shots last night, that if the gamecocks don't come out focused on that end the game could get away from them quick.

Very excited to see this matchup

Kurtz · Post #1230 » by **Kurtz** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 3:19 pm

I like how people are so bitter about Edey going to the foul line a lot when he gets draped by multiple guys whenever he gets the ball in the post (which is Purdue's go-to play). Reminds me of people crying about Shaq living at the line back in his Laker days when that was the only way to stop him.

He's got a few post-moves as well; I've seen him use the up and under, his hook shot is solid, and his spin move is effective as he uses his massive frame to just brush-off his defender. The thing that got him a few times was the double from the strong-side when he would start into his dribble, backing his defender up with the intent to score. The few times he recognized it though was a kick-out for the open corner 3.

Those people who don't think he's even first-round worthy are in for a rude awakening when he goes in the lottery. You think he's only good because he's the biggest guy on the floor? Well, he'll be the biggest guy on the NBA court too.

JustBuzzin · Post #1231 » by **JustBuzzin** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 5:00 pm

The4thHorseman wrote:An Edey vs. Clingan finals would be epic.

With all due respect I'm not trying to see 2 big slow guys bang with each other.

Give me State vs Alabama always root for the underdogs

The4thHorseman · Post #1232 » by **The4thHorseman** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 5:11 pm

JustBuzzin wrote:
The4thHorseman wrote:An Edey vs. Clingan finals would be epic.

With all due respect I'm not trying to see 2 big slow guys bang with each other.

Give me State vs Alabama always root for the underdogs

Not something we've seen in awhile, at either level. Neither guy would get doubled down low as often which to me would be a good thing for that game itself.

All in all, I just want to see close games but obviously UConn has other things in mind since they've been blowing teams the **** out.

Drakeem · Post #1233 » by **Drakeem** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 5:12 pm

damanick10 wrote:I dont get the hate for Edey. I think its fun having a player dominate with a simple inside game with massive size. It doesn't happen much anymore.

I think most fans in general identify with skillful guards. Even if you just go by jersey sales and engagement metrics, big guys have historically been harder to sell.

JustBuzzin · Post #1234 » by **JustBuzzin** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 5:15 pm

The4thHorseman wrote:
JustBuzzin wrote:
The4thHorseman wrote:An Edey vs. Clingan finals would be epic.

With all due respect I'm not trying to see 2 big slow guys bang with each other.

Give me State vs Alabama always root for the underdogs

Not something we've seen in awhile, at either level. Neither guy would get doubled down low as often which to me would be a good thing for that game itself.

All in all, I just want to see close games but obviously UConn has other things in mind since they've been blowing teams the **** out.

Yeah UConn looks like the best team, but I'm rooting for the underdog. If we get UConn/Purdue I'm sure it will be a great matchup.

NoDopeOnSundays · Post #1235 » by **NoDopeOnSundays** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 7:44 pm

I think the Burns fun ends against Edey, a lot of what DJ has done is because he's so much heavier than the guy guarding him while being able to use post moves to spin off them because they have to really lean into him. He's extremely skilled but being nearly 300lbs adds to the effectiveness of his moves. Edey will be bigger, heavier and probably stronger so a lot of what he does will be negated by that, he's only 6'9" and those moves kill against a guy 6'10 or 6'11" that's 40-50lbs lighter than you, but against a 7'4" 300lbs guy it probably goes out the window.

Handlez · Post #1236 » by **Handlez** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 8:14 pm

I thought Knecht was just a shooter, but he showed me a lot more. He can get above the rim with ease and can put the ball on the floor.

Hope he gets a good opportunity in the league.

JustBuzzin · Post #1237 » by **JustBuzzin** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 9:04 pm

NoDopeOnSundays wrote:I think the Burns fun ends against Edey, a lot of what DJ has done is because he's so much heavier than the guy guarding him while being able to use post moves to spin off them because they have to really lean into him. He's extremely skilled but being nearly 300lbs adds to the effectiveness of his moves. Edey will be bigger, heavier and probably stronger so a lot of what he does will be negated by that, he's only 6'9" and those moves kill against a guy 6'10 or 6'11" that's 40-50lbs lighter than you, but against a 7'4" 300lbs guy it probably goes out the window.

I don't think Edey will be guarding him honestly. Burns is their pf. They have 2 taller more athletic centers who compliment Burns.

I have State in the upset simply because Burns also has DJ who is also been a star in the tournament. Edey is a 1 man show. State depth will win them this game imo.

Mk0 · Post #1238 » by **Mk0** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 11:26 pm

Where are we talking about NCAAW?
Cause LSU is pooping the bed quick

VicG · Post #1239 » by **VicG** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 11:27 pm

This LSU Iowa game is as lit as any NBA playoff game. So fun!!

___Rand___ · Post #1240 » by **___Rand___** » Mon Apr 1, 2024 11:29 pm

Handlez wrote:I thought Knecht was just a shooter, but he showed me a lot more. He can get above the rim with ease and can put the ball on the floor.

Hope he gets a good opportunity in the league.

Knecht is a 1st round pick. For sure. He's got NBA size strength and is a shooter. This is a weak draft so who knows how high he goes. He'll be a contributor from day 1. And he was in Northern Colorado State. Sheesh. Thank the transfer portal and NILs.