March Madness Discussion

[gesa2]

Duke, especially Tyus Jones, made plays down the stretch. But they wouldn't have even been in the game if the refs had called the game evenly in the second half.

[Ruzious]

Grayson Allen was just as heroic as Tyus Jones.

Dekker played like Jake Layman today. Pooped his pants.

Dekker seemed to lose his mojo in the second half. Part of it was Winslow playing tough defense - If Winslow develops a good jump shot, he could be a helluvan NBA player.

I thought the crusty Wiscy coach blew it by not doing what he did in the KY game - rest Kaminsky for 2 or 3 minutes down the stretch. A fresh Kaminsky is much better than a tired Kaminsky.

[80sballboy]

In some ways, Wisconsin wet the bed. But at the end, you have to give credit to Tyus Jones, Allen and Coach K for making Wisconsin play their pace. Ultimately, they got tired and I think the Kentucky game caught up with them, while Duke had a much easier semifinal. Ryan is a very good coach but Coach K is in a different stratosphere. He found a way to get even at the half without Okafor and won with his best player being fresh at the end because he sat him due to foul trouble. Wisconsin never took advantage of posting up Dekker and Kaminsky enough when Okafor and Winslow was out. Dekker's rainbow three-point shots couldn't even catch rim in this game. A lot of people were saying how great this kid was going to be because he had five great games, despite having an average regular season. The average Dekker showed up in the championship game.

I thought this was a toss-up game but Coach K and those quicker guards were the difference. I think if Traevon Jackson was healthy and in better shape, they may win the game. Koenig is more of a combo guard. Gasser is pesky but small. They never even played Showalter for some reason. He could have been their Grayson Allen. Oh well. Don't like Duke but respect them.

[dobrojim]

Since I was rooting for Badgers, I felt like Duke got the benefit of more than their fair share of close calls
but Wisc didn't play their best game either. I thought lousy FT shooting in the first half was indicative
that Wisc felt the pressure of the Champ game a lot more than Duke did. And why did Wisc not make
the adjustment to step out on those high screens and challenge shots? Dekker stunk. Wisc needed a
better game from him. I don't like Duke but have a man-crush on Coach K and the job he does.

[LyricalRico]

Dekker stunk. Wisc needed a better game from him.

This was the key for me. I was expecting the same clutch Dekker we've come to know to show up, but he never did. True, it seemed like Wisc was determined to go through Kaminsky late in the 4th (as they probably should have), but Dekker still could have found a way to make a few more plays.

It's just tough to see Duke win...again.

[dobrojim]

It's not quite like Dallas winning the Super Bowl but still not a desirable outcome
and just a reminder for those who don't know or have forgotten, I'm not a Slurs fan.

[Higga]

A shame Kentucky gagged vs. Wisconsin because they would have pounded Duke.

Hate the Blue Devils but have to give them props I guess. They were consistently great all year and stepped up when it mattered most.

But it must also be nice to know the zebras will always give your guys the benefit of the doubt on any close call.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

In some ways, Wisconsin wet the bed. But at the end, you have to give credit to Tyus Jones, Allen and Coach K for making Wisconsin play their pace. Ultimately, they got tired and I think the Kentucky game caught up with them, while Duke had a much easier semifinal. Ryan is a very good coach but Coach K is in a different stratosphere. He found a way to get even at the half without Okafor and won with his best player being fresh at the end because he sat him due to foul trouble. Wisconsin never took advantage of posting up Dekker and Kaminsky enough when Okafor and Winslow was out. Dekker's rainbow three-point shots couldn't even catch rim in this game. A lot of people were saying how great this kid was going to be because he had five great games, despite having an average regular season. The average Dekker showed up in the championship game.

I thought this was a toss-up game but Coach K and those quicker guards were the difference. I think if Traevon Jackson was healthy and in better shape, they may win the game. Koenig is more of a combo guard. Gasser is pesky but small. They never even played Showalter for some reason. He could have been their Grayson Allen. Oh well. Don't like Duke but respect them.

Yeah, the day after I'm thinking they needed to run their guards right after Allen at the other end of the court. Make him defend and work. Their guards were way too deliberate.

Wisconsin got too predictable. They posted Frank too many times or tried to back guys down too often. I think putting Kaminsky in the mid post and having Dekker cut from the same side as Frank toward the basket that would have created some layups.

Duke was quicker but Wisconsin made it easier by going iso and pounding the ball down low. Bo Ryan complained about the grabbing and physicality of Duke, but if Wisconsin had made quicker moves to the basket and been more aggressive they might have got more trips to the line.

As it was, they let Grayson Allen go off and they didn't answer back, accept for one Hayes 3 point shot.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

A shame Kentucky gagged vs. Wisconsin because they would have pounded Duke.

Hate the Blue Devils but have to give them props I guess. They were consistently great all year and stepped up when it mattered most.

But it must also be nice to know the zebras will always give your guys the benefit of the doubt on any close call.

Give Duke credit but I think even this year's Maryland was very capable of beating Duke.

[stevemcqueen1]

No way Kaminsky makes it to our pick after this tourney.

[Sluggerface]

No way Kaminsky makes it to our pick after this tourney.

Agreed. First player since Carmelo Anthony (one of the greatest NCAA players of all time) to go 20/10 in both semi-final/final games, and he did it against the best defensive frontline(with the best defensive big, and probably now #1 overall pick in Towns) in the nation. Duke was playing elite defense in the tournament as well.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Coach K compared Kaminsky to Laettner.

Valid comparison, but I think Kaminsky will have an even more successful NBA career. No way is Kaminsky a stiff. He's a little better on the low block than Laettner, and his handles are every bit as good. Laettner might have been quicker initially but Frank's patient and plays angles really, really well.