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I was 3-1 yesterday which didn't make up for the disaster the day before. The only game worth mentioning yesterday was Mich St. vs Kansas and as ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dlgood predicted, Coach Izzo was the difference. I don't watch so much any more, but it's been awhile since I've seen real-time coaching make such an impact in the final minutes.
Anyway, after the 3-5 fiasco of the last couple days I'm not left with much except my final 2, Louisville and North Carolina. I've picked North Carolina to win it all, but I think six of the teams have a believable shot. I don't yet believe Missouri or U Conn could. Missouri is a legitimate top 16 team, but it's going to take more than that to stay in now. If Thabeet were more of an offensive presence against better teams, U Conn would impress me more. Defensively, I will say that Missouri might have the answer to Thabeet. U Conn isn't great in turnover margin and Missouri has been able to survive being out-rebounded by a small margin at both ends. If Missouri can make steals and get the ball to the basket before Thabeet can get there, it might unnerve U Conn enough so they'd make mistakes the way Memphis did. The ease with which both Missouri and Memphis were driving to the basket late in the game Thursday had more to do with the foul situation than the innate weakness of either team. If Missouri can get Thabeet in foul trouble, obviously that would help them. If U Conn can hold on to the ball and set the pace though, I think the Tigers are gone.
dlgood predicted, Coach Izzo was the difference. I don't watch so much any more, but it's been awhile since I've seen real-time coaching make such an impact in the final minutes.Anyway, after the 3-5 fiasco of the last couple days I'm not left with much except my final 2, Louisville and North Carolina. I've picked North Carolina to win it all, but I think six of the teams have a believable shot. I don't yet believe Missouri or U Conn could. Missouri is a legitimate top 16 team, but it's going to take more than that to stay in now. If Thabeet were more of an offensive presence against better teams, U Conn would impress me more. Defensively, I will say that Missouri might have the answer to Thabeet. U Conn isn't great in turnover margin and Missouri has been able to survive being out-rebounded by a small margin at both ends. If Missouri can make steals and get the ball to the basket before Thabeet can get there, it might unnerve U Conn enough so they'd make mistakes the way Memphis did. The ease with which both Missouri and Memphis were driving to the basket late in the game Thursday had more to do with the foul situation than the innate weakness of either team. If Missouri can get Thabeet in foul trouble, obviously that would help them. If U Conn can hold on to the ball and set the pace though, I think the Tigers are gone.