UConn somehow wins this game! As I have said a number of times over the years when it gets to this time of the year a team with a lot of experience has an advantage down the stretch against freshmen no matter how good they are.

49 minutes ago, DragonFire said:

I remember a lot of Kentucky fans hated Cal before he came to Kentucky and then when he won big right away, they liked him a lot. I’m not saying that people wouldn’t find aspects of Hurley distasteful, but if he coached at UK and he won, they’d love him. At least until he stopped winning. Todd Golden would be same. 
 

I don’t think either will ever coach UK but I bet a lot of people would get real cool with them real fast if they did. 

I never liked Cal period.

6 minutes ago, hrcarrier said:

If no one thought Dan Hurley wasn’t the best coach in college basketball, hopefully you do now. I’ve thought he’s been since his back to back championships. Duke had the better team, Hurley out coached after halftime, unquestionably.

The same thing almost happened to UCONN Friday night.

2 minutes ago, 4 Quarters said:

The same thing almost happened to UCONN Friday night.

That didn’t surprise me, I expected that to be a good and close game.

Before this game #1 seeds leading by 15 or more in the 2nd half were 136-0. Turnovers did Duke in as they had 13 to just 5 for UConn. Those 13 turnovers lead to 20 points for the Huskies. Also, just 5 turnovers is awesome the way that Duke was getting after them on defense.

Also prior to 1999 UConn had never been to a Final 4 and now they are heading to the 8th Final 4.

15 minutes ago, 4 Quarters said:

I never liked Cal period.

You're in an extreme minority.  It's hard hating the coach of your team when he goes to four Final Fours in five years.

34 minutes ago, Jumper_Dad said:

How bout now? ? 

31 minutes ago, sportsfan41 said:

You know he turned the game off. 

Yes and No.  I had it on two TVs, different rooms, but to your point I tuned it out. 

18 minutes ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

Also prior to 1999 UConn had never been to a Final 4 and now they are heading to the 8th Final 4.

Since 99 they have missed the NCAA Tournament 8 times (not counting covid year) and been eliminated in the first round 4 times. So nearly half of the years (12) since that first title they have exited in the first round or completely missed the Tournament. Got to give them credit when they are good they are really good, when they aren't they are pretty bad.

There were some signs going back to Round 1 that Duke would have a tough time winning it all. You don’t trail by double digits to a 16 seed and find your way to the promised land.

I believe he will get there, but Boozer’s game needs a lot of work to succeed at the next level. That “clear out of the way and let me bull you over” to the rim style of play has a very low success rate in the NBA. See Tyler Hansburough.

Final 4 Game Times:

Saturday, April 4- #2 Seed UConn vs. #3 Seed Illinois- 6:09pm TBS/TruTV

Saturday, April 4- #1 Seed Michigan vs. #1 Seed Arizona- 8:49pm TBS/TruTV

33 minutes ago, Jumper_Dad said:

Since 99 they have missed the NCAA Tournament 8 times (not counting covid year) and been eliminated in the first round 4 times. So nearly half of the years (12) since that first title they have exited in the first round or completely missed the Tournament. Got to give them credit when they are good they are really good, when they aren't they are pretty bad.

That may be true but even with that they have been to more from then on than any of the other Blue Bloods and up and coming Blue Bloods. Here below is the #'s of their appearances in the Final 4.

UConn- 8

Mich. St.- 7

Duke- 7 

North Carolina- 6 

Kansas- 5

Florida- 5

Kentucky- 4

Here are the # of titles these 7 have won from 1999-2025.

UConn- 6

Duke- 3

Florida- 3

North Carolina- 3

Kansas- 2

Mich. St.- 1

Kentucky- 1

1 hour ago, DragonFire said:

You're in an extreme minority.  It's hard hating the coach of your team when he goes to four Final Fours in five years.

I guess I'm just a hard sell, still wouldn't buy a used car from him. LOL

Wow! What a game!!

I know a lot is always said about Calipari not winning another title or two over the years with the talent he has. A similar thing can be said about Duke. Who hasn’t won a title since 2015 and have had guys like Zion Williamson, Cooper Flagg,and now Boozer. This tournament with it being one and done, is simply a hard tournament to win. Which makes it that much more special when it does happen!