^ What do you think about Duke since the emergence of Amile Jefferson?

^ What do you think about Duke since the emergence of Amile Jefferson?

 

Like Duke as much as anyone to make a run. Yes they are thin inside any way you slice it, but they have the right type of talent to mask it in to the Final Four. Parker and Hood have to be the alpha dogs to allow the rest to fall in to place, but I do think both are willing to fill that role...

^ What do you think about Duke since the emergence of Amile Jefferson?

 

Duke is a school that has definitely moved up and got my attention. I haven't seen as much of them as I have some of the other teams, but they have some really solid pieces that play well together and bring a lot to the table.

Who are your 10 teams? Any revisions?

My current Top 10 most likely to make the Final Four (with their "issues", in my opinion, in parentheses):

 

1. Arizona (don't shoot it well from deep, have no defense at the rim)

2. Florida (not great on the glass, plus same two issues as Arizona)

3. Syracuse (don't shoot it well from the floor and susceptible to a team hot from deep)

4. Kansas (sloppy, prone to a lot of turnovers)

5. Duke (a lot of flaws, don't shoot it well, not a terribly good defensive team, zero presence at the rim)

6. Villanova (poor perimeter defense, has really hurt them in two games with Creighton)

7. Wichita State (don't shoot it well from deep, super aggressive on defense, would be hurt with a tight whistle)

8. Wisconsin (bad rebounding team, don't turn you over so have to defend for longer possessions)

9. Creighton (terrible rebounding team and zero post defense)

10. Virginia (horrible free throw shooting team, would worry me in a close game in the Tourney)

 

Next group:

 

11. Ohio State

12. UCLA

13. Iowa

14. Saint Louis

15. UK

16. Michigan

17. Cincinnati

18. Michigan State

19. Iowa State

20. UL

 

Ranking them, in my opinion, on their likelihood to win 4 games in March against good competition.

One that I noticed missing from this list would be Virginia, imo the most underrated team and coach in the country. They play probably the best defense in the country, are experienced and do not turn the ball over much.

Another one imo would be St. Louis much bc of the same reasons as UVA.

I agree with Creighton as a dark horse as well, they have imo the best player in the country.

 

I like the others on the list, I would list (along with the above me mentioned)............

 

1. Florida

2. Syracuse

3. Wichita St.

4. Kansas / Arizona

6. Villinova

7. Michigan State

8. Iowa State

 

 

9. Kentucky

 

 

I may list Kentucky higher later, right now not so sure they will be close. The Wildcats are going to have to "grow up" mentally.

Like Duke as much as anyone to make a run. Yes they are thin inside any way you slice it, but they have the right type of talent to mask it in to the Final Four. Parker and Hood have to be the alpha dogs to allow the rest to fall in to place, but I do think both are willing to fill that role...

 

I think you're 100% right on the the Hood/Parker combination. I feel like there are very few teams that can match up with those 2. I like their chances in most match ups on a neutral floor. That could just be me being optimistic though.

 

 

Duke is a school that has definitely moved up and got my attention. I haven't seen as much of them as I have some of the other teams, but they have some really solid pieces that play well together and bring a lot to the table.

 

I was getting very worried for this team during mid season. After that ugly loss to Clemson they finally turned it up. I like how things are coming together. Of course this week is gonna be killer on them so we shall see how they work it out.

5. Duke (a lot of flaws, don't shoot it well, not a terribly good defensive team, zero presence at the rim)

I will give you not a good defensive team, and not great inside presence, but not shooting the rock well? This is one of the number 1 offenses in the nation.

I will give you not a good defensive team, and not great inside presence, but not shooting the rock well? This is one of the number 1 offenses in the nation.

 

Looked it up, 12th in the ACC in 2 point FG pct. They are however 1st from the arc and 1st from the stripe.

1.) Florida

2.) Syracuse

3.) Michigan St.

4.) Arizona

5.) Louisville

6.) Kentucky

7.) Duke

8.) Wisconsin

9.) Ohio St.

10.) Creighton

My list is going to be a bit odd, and it's not in any order....I'm testing a theory I've got.

 

Duke

Wichita State

Iowa

Pittsburgh

Syracuse

Michigan

Creighton

UCLA

Michigan State

San Diego State

 

Honorable Mention if they get in:

 

Oklahoma State

Tennessee

......

 

Worth bringing back -- I enjoyed re-reading all of these posts. 6 of the 8 in my list of 10 from January 27 -- and a good chance of all four of the Final Four teams. I should have wagered that "heap of cash". :bunny:

My list is going to be a bit odd' date=' and it's not in any order....I'm testing a theory I've got. Duke Wichita State Iowa Pittsburgh Syracuse Michigan Creighton UCLA Michigan State San Diego State Honorable Mention if they get in: Oklahoma State Tennessee[/quote']I'd say you can safely call that theory debunked.