South Regional Discussion

Post #1 » by **jman3134** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:04 pm

This is the thread for games in the South Region.

MalReyn · Post #2 » by **MalReyn** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:42 am

I can't help but look at this region and think it will be a cakewalk for UNC. Their potential Sweet 16 game would be against Illinois (overseeded) or Gonzaga (simply do not have the athletes to run with UNC). I wouldn't be surprised if no one comes within 20 of UNC until the Elite 8, especially if Lawson is running at 100%.

On the bottom half of the bracket, we have a few interesting matchups. Oklahoma, despite Blake Griffin, has been an overrated team all season that leaves a ton to be desired on the defensive end. Clemson or Michigan will give them a game in the 2nd round, both those teams have talent and Michigan especially is nearly impossible to prepare for.

Syracuse has had some issues this season, but they seem to be pulling it together at the right time, and could be primed for a run. If they can escape to the Elite 8 and play UNC, I think they are the only team in this region that could beat them. This is due to Johnny Flynn. UNC has consistently had trouble with talented scoring point guards, and Flynn is one of the best. Combined with their good athletes and always-tricky zones, they could pose a challenge.

My darkhorse pick here is Michigan. Beilein has had a ton of tourney success as a lower seed. He's just so tough to prepare for in this sort of environment, with such a brief time between games against teams you've often never seen before. Simply a nightmare matchup. It also helps that they won't play a Big East team until potentially Syracuse (if then), so no coach will have first hand experience trying to guard his team. Michigan might lose early to Clemson or Oklahoma, but they'll go down fighting in a close game, and could definitely make a deep run.

Polynice4Pippen · Post #3 » by **Polynice4Pippen** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:55 am

I don't know, I see some tough matchups for UNC. LSU in the second round would be interesting, UNC doesn't defend elite perimeter scorers at all. Thornton could really have a big game against them. Then Gonzaga in the Sweet 16. A team that's just gonna run up and down the court and not play much defense like UNC is a favorable matchup for the Zags. And obviously the regional final will be difficult with possibly either Oklahoma or Syracuse. Still I like UNC to prevail. But I definitely see them getting tested from round 2 on.

IlliniNRG · Post #4 » by **IlliniNRG** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:45 pm

I don't understand it. Illinois crushes Michigan less than a week ago, and now Illinois is the sexy pick to get upset by a 12 seed, and Michigan is a sexy pick to upset a 7 and maybe a 3. Why?

Michigan does have some NBA talent, but they don't look well-coached. They turn it over, they lapse on defense, they're very inconsistent. Sure they beat UCLA (when that meant something), but that was in November. They lost to Iowa, who is brutal, and that was a few weeks ago. I just don't see it. I think Clemson handles them in the first round.

Post #5 » by **jman3134** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:31 am

Um, that should not be the concern. John Beilein is actually a top 3-5 coach in the country. Turning the ball over is a product of the team's willingness to gamble- not a lack of coaching.

Illinois is missing Chester Frazier and people are enamored by Western Kentucky. Those are the reasons for people's predictions. I don't agree, but then again, that may be just me. I have Illinois winning and Michigan losing.

Post #6 » by **jman3134** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:43 pm

Great win for LSU in the South. Butler played tough basketball and kept it close throughout. They got Matt Howard into foul trouble and really disrupted them inside. I said that it would come down to who can hit their shots- either threes or midrange. LSU outshot Butler from the perimeter. Tasmin Mitchell was great and he was able to hit his jump shots. And, Marcus Thornton again went off for 30 points.

Wade2k6 · Post #7 » by **Wade2k6** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 8:35 pm

Well, looks like we're going to have a UNC - LSU matchup in the 2nd round.

derriko · Post #8 » by **derriko** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:19 am

wow did Gonzaga not come out to play, with their intensity I seriously thought they were gonna lose. then with 10 minutes in the game they decided we might as well win now. Did anyone see that Pargo dunk? damn

ElectricMayhem · Post #9 » by **ElectricMayhem** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:57 am

The Kerusch dunk for Western Kentucky made my jaw drop.

ManualRam · Post #10 » by **ManualRam** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:01 am

i have no idea how this illini team won as many games as it did this yr. they are so untalented.

ElectricMayhem · Post #11 » by **ElectricMayhem** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:16 am

They've had a few offensive offensive performances. Without their point guard, it was easy to predict another one. They just don't have it despite Meacham stepping up.

ElectricMayhem · Post #12 » by **ElectricMayhem** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:26 am

Illinois is making it interesting at the end.

Post #13 » by **TMU** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:35 am

Western Kentucky hangs on...

Post #14 » by **jman3134** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:36 am

Lucky they didn't blow that lead. 9 times out of 10 the Illini would have won that game imo.

ManualRam · Post #15 » by **ManualRam** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:45 am

ughh..cant wait til the real talent arrives in champaign. weber can really coach em up.

SportsWorld · Post #16 » by **SportsWorld** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 5:41 am

ManualRam wrote:i have no idea how this illini team won as many games as it did this yr. they are so untalented.

You have to remember they were missing their PG and best defender in Chester Fraizer. This wasn't much of an upset IMO.

Post #17 » by **jman3134** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 5:46 am

SportsWorld wrote:
ManualRam wrote:i have no idea how this illini team won as many games as it did this yr. they are so untalented.

You have to remember they were missing their PG and best defender in Chester Fraizer. This wasn't much of an upset IMO.

That's entirely untrue. After watching Western Kentucky several times this year, they are a balanced club that can be shut down. Illinois was simply very sloppy on the offensive end, having difficulty scoring. And defensively, they were unable to account for WKU's ball movement. The Hilltoppers really are not at the level they were a year ago, but they still pulled it off surprisingly.

ManualRam · Post #18 » by **ManualRam** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:25 pm

SportsWorld wrote:
ManualRam wrote:i have no idea how this illini team won as many games as it did this yr. they are so untalented.

You have to remember they were missing their PG and best defender in Chester Fraizer. This wasn't much of an upset IMO.

please, frazier's not that much of a difference maker. all he does is play hard, but he's a poor PG and cant shoot or score.

Wade2k6 · Post #19 » by **Wade2k6** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:11 pm

Lawson is looking like he is in alot of pain 10 minutes into the game.

Wade2k6 · Post #20 » by **Wade2k6** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:13 pm

Just as I say that, Mitchell picks up his 2nd personal with 9 minutes left in the first half.