Which side would you rather have?

[formerkywrestler]

Before the season started I was in a discussion with a friend. His argument was that the NCAA champion is more often than not a team nobody is thinking about before the season starts. I said this year was different and there were three teams CLEARLY above everyone else. Well, a bet formed from this and after much discussion we settled on me getting the top four teams in the field by odds and him getting the rest of the field. We wagered a cash sum and a bottle of Blanton's to be paid on Derby weekend when he comes into town.

 

At this point in the season, which side would you rather have in the bet?

 

My side: Kentucky, Ohio State, North Carolina, and Duke.

 

His side: Everyone else.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duke and 'Cuse were tied in the odds. After much discussion, where I argued I should get both teams he let me pick and I went with Duke. Wishing I would have went the other way.

[MJAlltheWay24]

I'm wishing you would have had Syracuse grouping as well. Ethier way, I don't think I'm taking the field.

[UKMustangFan]

I hate saying this, but the only two teams I'm worried about facing as a UK fan are the two they've already beaten....UNC and KU.

 

I think you're going to be just fine.

 

I'd say you have very good odds at winning.

[PurplePride92]

Tournament time I'd rather have Duke than Syracuse.

 

This year I'd want the group with UK and UNC in it.

[MJAlltheWay24]

I hate saying this, but the only two teams I'm worried about facing as a UK fan are the two they've already beaten....UNC and KU.

 

Ohio State scares me a little.

[HammerTime]

Ohio State scares me a little.

 

Sully would be lost with Davis' length down low.

[MJAlltheWay24]

Sully would be lost with Davis' length down low.

 

Sully isn't the key to that team in my opinion (sure they need him to play well). I really like what Buford and Craft do on the court. Plus I think they have some other key pieces like Thomas.

[HammerTime]

Sully isn't the key to that team in my opinion (sure they need him to play well). I really like what Buford and Craft do on the court. Plus I think they have some other key pieces like Thomas.

 

Teague is a decent defender and MKG is one of the best perimeter defenders in the game. I'm not scared of Ohio State one bit.

[Voice of Reason]

I have made this point many times on here. If you want to find the NCAA champion, you can narrow it down by first looking at teams with NBA 1st round draft picks. The NCAA champion almost always has at least 2 NBA 1st rounders. Billy Donovan said in the paper today that UK has 6 NBA 1st round picks. UNC has 4. Ohio State I am sure has 2. Duke has Plumlee and Rivers so they have two.

 

With that said, what teams not in your UK grouping have 2 or more NBA 1st rounders on their team? Syracuse has 3 so we know that is one. I think Washington has 2 projected first rounders based on one mock draft I saw. Florida has 2. There are probably a couple other teams that have one sure 1st rounder and another fringe 1st rounder or 2 second rounders that have a shot at the title. I would say it is a good debate based on that info and pretty even as to which side is best to take.

[woodsrider]

Not saying you will definitely win but I like your spot.

[UKMustangFan]

^VOR, there's Florida, Vandy, Baylor, UConn, Mississippi State (maybe), Syracuse, and Washington that I can think of off the top of my head.

[MJAlltheWay24]

Teague is a decent defender and MKG is one of the best perimeter defenders in the game. I'm not scared of Ohio State one bit.

 

Teague being able to guard Craft isn't my concern with that matchup. It's the way that I feel Craft will disrupt the flow of Kentucky's team. I watch every UK game and I've watched OSU probably the second most this year. They shouldn't be underestimated and I feel like could beat UK if they met in the tournament.

[futurecoach]

Sully would be lost with Davis' length down low.

 

Teague is a decent defender and MKG is one of the best perimeter defenders in the game. I'm not scared of Ohio State one bit.

 

I forget which team it was maybe it was Bama or Georgia. But they had a freshman who was really taking it to Davis, and using his body really well to get his shots off over Davis. Sullinger is strong and does use his body really well, so even as good as Davis is. It would not be a matchup that Davis would dominate IMO. It would be a back and forth battle, and probably would depend on if one of the other gets the other in foul trouble. I honestly wouldn't be suprised if Jones would be on Sully instead. This way it would allow Davis help out off the ball and probably block Sully's shot that way.

[UKMustangFan]

^It was Alabama and it was Green, a Senior.

[Randy Parker]

This year I'd want the group with UK and UNC in it.

 

At the beginning of the year, I'd have taken UNC & UK...and I would have felt comfortable giving a betting opponent the rest of the field. I would feel less confident today, but I still believe those are the two most talented teams in the country. The difference is I thought they were both significantly better than everyone when the year started. Now, I just think they're somewhat better than everyone.

 

The NCAA Tournament is so random & so dependent on matchups...and because of the one-and-out format, absolutely anything can happen.