Give me one sleeper pick for the NCAA tourney

[RicemanX 20]

Stanford to at least the sweet 16. They match up against Louisville very well with their 2 athletic big men. They are a young team that plays solid defense. The record is not that good just because pac 10 is awesome this year.

[Big Blue 06 195]

Old Dominion to make the sweet 16. They got a decent matchup with Butler in the first round and the winner of Maryland/Davidson is not terrible. They play good defense and they have a lot of players that got significant minutes this season. The coach liked to get everyone some time (which frustrated me very much).

[MahSoonerz 0]

Oral Roberts will win at least three games or God will call them home.

[nobody 2,672]

I think Illinois has a shot at beating Va Tech. They rebound well and they've played well late in the season, but I'm not so psyched about Illinois being great as I am about Va Tech just not being that good. The Hokies rely on athletic play more than sound fundamentals. Give a coach a week to prepare for you and they can usual game plan against an athletic team. Whichever team advances here though I'm confident will lose to the Salukis which makes it a decent upset play.

[Vince44 205]

Marquette. Why?

 

The players will do it for Finals MVP D-Wade who was the greatest player ever to grace that school and to cheer him up as he continues to battle a highly painful shoulder injury.

 

"He's like Jordan they say...he wears numbers three...he is the Finals MVP..."

[S.D. Jones 0]

they have a lot of players that got significant minutes this season. The coach liked to get everyone some time (which frustrated me very much).

 

This actually has little benefit in the tournament. With all the TV time outs, depth usually doesn't become too much of a factor unless they fall into foul trouble.

[KSB2424 3,148]

They always say the NCAA is all about guard play. I would start there.

[dolphin-g 0]

This is easy.

Va. Tech. best back court in the country

 

key wins

 

Duke

NORTH CAROLINA........2 TIMES

Maryland

G tech

Va.

B.C

 

No one gives them a shot....

 

They will make the finnal 8

[Birdseed 1]

This is easy.

Va. Tech. best back court in the country

 

key wins

So Ill.

GW

Duke

NORTH CAROLINA........2 TIMES

Maryland

G tech

Va.

B.C

 

No one gives them a shot....

 

They will make the finnal 8

 

ummm...they lost to Southern Illinois. Also lost to GW.

[cmh6476 1,025]

whatch out for ku

[KSB2424 3,148]

I could see Georgia Tech beating a Wisconsin, Oregon, and Florida.

 

The problem is I could also see them lose to UNLV or even Texas A&M Corpus Christi for that matter.

 

Good Luck.

[JetsFan28 0]

I haven't seen UNLV play that much, but from what I've seen of them, they're very good. They shoot very well, but my only question is: Should they beat Georgia Tech, can they get past Wisconsin?

[JT 137]

They always say the NCAA is all about guard play. I would start there.

 

Guard play will get you two rounds, but you need big men to win the title. The games slow down in rounds 3-4 as teams get more tentative, more concerned about making mistakes. The ability to rebound well and get quality shots with the clock winding down become imperative. Florida, UNC, UConn; recent champs all had quality bigs.

[Big Blue 06 195]

This actually has little benefit in the tournament. With all the TV time outs, depth usually doesn't become too much of a factor unless they fall into foul trouble.

 

This is a good point. At least they'll have capable backups in case of foul trouble.

[frank 2,306]

Ga Tech

 

 

 

There are 50 states in the US

is cool

[JT 137]

I haven't seen UNLV play that much, but from what I've seen of them, they're very good. They shoot very well, but my only question is: Should they beat Georgia Tech, can they get past Wisconsin?

 

Wisconsin is ripe to be taken. The loss of Butch cost them their best 3 pt shooter, and the only guy that could really stretch defenses. Ohio State packed it inside yesterday, and Tucker is a player that has to operate effectively in the 12-18 ft range to really hurt you. I think the winner of that game, be it UNLV or Ga Tech, can beat the Badgers, and I give them little chance of advancing past ND/Winthrop or Oregon if the do happen to get that far.

[dj_stouty 0]

This is easy.

Va. Tech. best back court in the country

 

 

VaTech doesn't even have the best backcourt in the ACC. Virginia is clearly better...

 

My sleeper is VCU.

[KSB2424 3,148]

All right lets break this bad boy down:

 

1. Besides OSU/Wisc the Big Ten is a joke. Not one of them were any good away from home. No way Purdue/Indiana/MSU/Illinois gets to the sweet 16.

2. A 12 has beaten a 5 in the first round every year for the past like 600 years. So pick 2 of em'

3. Pick battle tested teams (Pac-10/ACC) and "hot" teams that have been playing well the second half of the season.

4. At least one #1 seed will be in the final four. At least one #4 seed or higher will be in the final four.

 

ETA

 

5. I read somewhere that it is very, very rare for a coach to win the whole thing without first going to the Final 4 and losing. So if you have Kansas, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, Georgetown ect. winning it all, you may want to reconsider.

 

There may be more........

[GobbleDog 996]

Watch out for the Tennesse Volunteers. They played in a tough SEC confrence and had some big wins against top ranked teams inlcuding: Florida, Memphis, Texas, Kentucky, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, etc...

 

Plus the y arleady know #1 seeded Ohio State when they played them earlier in the season barely losing on the road (68-66), and Tennesse would have gone further in the SEC playoffs except they gave away the second round game to LSU in the final minutes.

[Big Blue 06 195]

Old Dominion to make the sweet 16. They got a decent matchup with Butler in the first round and the winner of Maryland/Davidson is not terrible. They play good defense and they have a lot of players that got significant minutes this season. The coach liked to get everyone some time (which frustrated me very much).

 

Wow, it's nice to have my opinion backed up by someone else.

 

A double-digit seed that will advance to the Sweet 16 is ... Old Dominion. The Monarchs are a No. 12, but they could certainly get by Butler in the first round. Next up would likely be Maryland, and if Maryland can lose to Miami (twice) and Old Dominion can beat Georgetown (once), then why can't Old Dominion beat Maryland (once)?

 

It's almost like CBS Sportsline read my thoughts.

[KSB2424 3,148]

And for the record I strongly believe that the NCAA should implement the following rule: Any team's bench players that are caught locking arms and swaying from side to side will be automatically docked 5pts from next years RPI.

[JT 137]

Wow, it's nice to have my opinion backed up by someone else.

It's almost like CBS Sportsline read my thoughts.

 

Hopefully it wasn't Seth Davis that wrote that. You could have made big $$$ last year by simply picking against his selections in each game.

[t.j 35]

whatch out for ku

 

Good point, they could lose to a sleeper in round 2 or 3, or maybe even round 1!

[art schlichter's bookie 0]

Winthrop.

 

Only 4 losses--on the road to Wisky, A&M, Mland and UNC.

Beat Old Dom and Miss St away. Won 17 in a row in conference.

 

They are only a 4 pt underdog to Notre Dame--what is vegas telling you?

 

They win SU and could make a sweet 16 run.

[JT 137]

Winthrop.

 

Only 4 losses--on the road to Wisky, A&M, Mland and UNC.

Beat Old Dom and Miss St away. Won 17 in a row in conference.

 

They are only a 4 pt underdog to Notre Dame--what is vegas telling you?

 

They win SU and could make a sweet 16 run.

 

Beware Winthrop. I know they're a fashionable pick, and they're good...but Notre Dame is underrated by most. The Irish are super efficient on offense, ranking 6th in the nation (behind UNC, Florida, Ohio St, G'Town & Texas, though I don't think that order is exactly right). ND lost to Butler, Georgetown & Nova before suffering a couple bad losses (St John's, DePaul & So Florida). They righted their ship and played very well to close out the season. Veteran club, though they lack tourney experience, that can shoot from outside and muscle you underneath. They've got a decent draw to get to the round of 8.

 

Too many people talking about Winthrop. Makes me itchy-skitchy when the talking heads loudly proclaim somebody a sleeper.

[art schlichter's bookie 0]

I hear you on the too-fashionable thought, JT

 

 

Others:

Oral Roberts beat Kansas this year and has a 3 time conference player of the year.

Long Beach starts 5 seniors and gets poor defensive team in Tenn.

 

Will be looking into Davidson and Wright State as well.

[KSB2424 3,148]

Long Beach starts 5 seniors and gets poor defensive team in Tenn.

 

The over/under on the LBS-Tenn game is like 170. It has been a long time since I've seen a college bball game with a total that high. 5 seniors playing in a up and down scorefest. I like Long Beach as well.

[JT 137]

I hear you on the too-fashionable thought, JT

Others:

Oral Roberts beat Kansas this year and has a 3 time conference player of the year.

Long Beach starts 5 seniors and gets poor defensive team in Tenn.

 

Will be looking into Davidson and Wright State as well.

 

Those are two that look better to me, especially the LBS-Tenn game. The Vols are just the kind of team that gets upset: offense only, go-to guy is a jump shooter, young in the paint.

 

I have to confess that I really haven't seen Wash St play, so don't know what to make of them. But they better be ready for ORU. That team isn't intimidated by anyone.

[kilroy69 1,250]

butler.

[iceblumist610 0]

People who say Tennessee plays no defense haven't seen Tennessee play this year. Tennessee is consistently the league leader in steals, and forced over 20 opponent's turnovers in at least 4 of the last 5 games. The reason UT gives up a lot of points is poor rebounding. Their power forward is 6'4, so they give up a lot of second chance points. As a Tennessee fan, they could easily get knocked out in the first round or just as easily make the Final Four. They had OSU beat in Columbus earlier this year before getting 0 points out of TWO 1 and 1s in the last 30 seconds (and losing by 2). They crushed Memphis, so they can play with either of the top 2 seeds. Like I said, I'm a Tennessee fan, so take it for what it's worth.

 

I have 2 possible double-digit seeds going to the Sweet Sixteen. I think ODU will make it (seems like a lot of people are saying that though). I also think Creighton has a good shot. They won the MVC, which is a very strong conference that sent 2 teams to the Sweet Sixteen last year. They have a tough 1st round draw, but I think Memphis is the most vulnerable #2 seed to an early upset after being untested in the CUSA for so long.

 

I also think Oral Roberts could upset Wazzu and that Texas could be in the Final Four (although, as a #4 seed, they're hardly a sleeper. There's just such a division between the top 10 and the rest of the country that it's hard to see a high seed making such a deep run; Memphis is the only 1 or 2 I have losing in the 2nd round.)

[JetsFan28 0]

How about George Washington? The problem is, I have not seen either them or Vanderbilt play. What's the scoop on that game? And what I do know is that Washington State is an overrated 3 seed. I look for the winner of Vandy/GW to go to the Sweet 16. However, which one of them will it be?

[joneo 556]

Wright State. Sweet 16 after beating Duke.

 

Why? They're the Horizon League Champions.....CHAMPIONS!! How is anyone going to beat proven CHAMPIONS?

[PackerAttacker 0]

Wisconsin is ripe to be taken. The loss of Butch cost them their best 3 pt shooter, and the only guy that could really stretch defenses. Ohio State packed it inside yesterday, and Tucker is a player that has to operate effectively in the 12-18 ft range to really hurt you. I think the winner of that game, be it UNLV or Ga Tech, can beat the Badgers, and I give them little chance of advancing past ND/Winthrop or Oregon if the do happen to get that far.

 

Jason Bohannon is Wisconsins best 3 point shooter

[dirty dug 0]

And what I do know is that Washington State is an overrated 3 seed.

 

What makes you think this?

[SWC 0]

Marquette. Why?

 

The players will do it for Finals MVP D-Wade who was the greatest player ever to grace that school and to cheer him up as he continues to battle a highly painful shoulder injury.

 

"He's like Jordan they say...he wears numbers three...he is the Finals MVP..."

 

IF Marquette isgoing to do anything in the tourney, it will be because they have terrific guards.

 

Getting to the Sweet 16 would require them to beat Michigan State and North Carolina, though.

 

I'm not saying it can't be done, but I'd say that there are better "sleeper" picks out there.

[JetsFan28 0]

What makes you think this?

To me, they're not a scary 3 seed as they're very beatable. I'd be more worried playing the #4 Texas or going to the South bracket and having to play #3 Texas A&M who is a very dangerous team. I think the committee really thought too highly of the Pac-10 giving both Oregon and Washington 3 seeds. Also, how does USC get a 5 seed? Whoever I decide to be the winner of the Vandy/GW game (I've been leaning toward Vandy lately), I will pencil them in past Washington State as well and not even think twice. I'm not saying they're not a good team, because they are, but they're not #3 good.

[KSB2424 3,148]

Ya'll don't forget that Albany had a very good Uconn team down by 12 at one point in the first round game last year, and they returned their two dynamite guards back this year from that same team. UVA has melted down their last two games against two awful teams in Wake Forest and Miami. Tis ripe for the pickin'

[dirty dug 0]

To me, they're not a scary 3 seed as they're very beatable. I'd be more worried playing the #4 Texas or going to the South bracket and having to play #3 Texas A&M who is a very dangerous team. I think the committee really thought too highly of the Pac-10 giving both Oregon and Washington 3 seeds. Also, how does USC get a 5 seed? Whoever I decide to be the winner of the Vandy/GW game (I've been leaning toward Vandy lately), I will pencil them in past Washington State as well and not even think twice. I'm not saying they're not a good team, because they are, but they're not #3 good.

 

What makes Vandy a better team than Wazzu?

 

Ya'll don't forget that Albany had a very good Uconn team down by 12 at one point in the first round game last year, and they returned their two dynamite guards back this year from that same team. UVA has melted down their last two games against two awful teams in Wake Forest and Miami. Tis ripe for the pickin'

 

"Very good Uconn team"

 

Is that the same Uconn team that finished 17-14 and 6-9 in the Big East?

[KSB2424 3,148]

What makes Vandy a better team than Wazzu?

"Very good Uconn team"

 

Is that the same Uconn team that finished 17-14 and 6-9 in the Big East?

 

My post said "last year". Uconn was a #1 seed.

 

Why don't your read the whole motherfocking post before chiming in and end up looking like a dipshit.

 

http://sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9316703/2

[dirty dug 0]

My post said "last year". Uconn was a #1 seed.

 

Why don't your read the whole motherfocking post before chiming in and end up looking like a dipshit.

 

http://sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9316703/2

 

Oh, my bad. You're saying Albany is good because last year they played well against a good team for a little while and return 2 guards.

 

Yep, you got me, I'm the one who looks like a dipshit.