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Can I ask what everyone's craze is over Duke?

I ask the same question.

Also TragicBronson- I think you are undervaluing KU a lot. Embiid is a big part of the team but Wiggins, Perry Ellis, Tharpe and our other forwards are stacked. New Mexico may be a problem but that is also assuming that they actually make it past the first round.

New Mexico plays a very experienced and good defensive team in Stanford (who happen to have 6 seniors on their team) and I honestly think they will be beating New Mexico. New Mexico has the size advantage for sure but they also had a better roster last year and they lost to the likes of Harvard.

Last edited by E.B.W. at 3/19/2014 10:54:27 PM

Also TragicBronson- I think you are undervaluing KU a lot. Embiid is a big part of the team but Wiggins, Perry Ellis, Tharpe and our other forwards are stacked. New Mexico may be a problem but that is also assuming that they actually make it past the first round.

Kansas, to me, has shown incredible growth this season, and their play hasn't peaked yet. Without Embiid, we rallied from being essentially out of the game vs. WVU, and then played a very good Iowa State team down to the wire in the Big 12 tourney. If Stanford beats New Mexico, KU won't have to worry about the NM bigs, and I think Tarik Black and Jamari Traylor are more than capable of handling the Stanford bigs. Then, with Embiid back, the 'Hawks can take down Syracuse, and the winner of Stephen F. Austin/Tulsa, who we already established beat Florida. In the Final Four, KU will face either MSU or *bold prediction* UConn, and in the battle of PG's with crazy awesome names, Nadiir Tharpe and Kansas edge Shabazz Napier and the Huskies, earning them a trip to the final, where they play (you guessed it) Wichita State, the most underrated, disrespected, predicted against, and generally shit-on #1 seed in recent memory. I can't pick a winner here, I have ties to both schools and want both to win. We'll call it a draw!

Duke will lose to Mercer, who will go to the Sweet 16, and Texas will beat Michigan. Baylor will go to the Elite 8, as well as North Carolina. Arizona beats Kansas in the championship, Louisville and Cincinnati in the final four.

I'm seeing some very bold predictions with upsets from everyone. I feel this year just isn't going to have the huge upsets this year like years past

I think the biggest ones will be Dayton, Providence, and St. Jos and I don't even think you can call those upsets.

I think ESPN has been over hyping S.F. Austin because they haven't played anyone well. Same goes for some of the other little schools.

I think Harvard and ND State have the biggest chances of advancing from the 1st round that don't include the 3 from my first sentence.

Then, with Embiid back, the 'Hawks can take down Syracuse, and the winner of Stephen F. Austin/Tulsa, who we already established beat Florida.

If Stephen F Austin/Tulsa can beat Florida, doesn't that already establish them as better than Kansas, who failed to do so?

Ah, you missed the part about the massive growth, that right there is the kicker! KU played Florida months ago, in the midst of the nation's toughest noon-conference schedule. Besides, Cinderella can only last so long.

Ah, you missed the part about the massive growth, that right there is the kicker! KU played Florida months ago, in the midst of the nation's toughest noon-conference schedule. Besides, Cinderella can only last so long.

You're right! I just looked at their schedule and they've grown into a .400 club for the month of March. That's tremendous progress - and since they lost their last game, they're due for a win before they lose again if the pattern holds. If that's what qualifies as "massive growth" I'd personally recommend seeing a physician to have that cut off.

I'm not sure you understand what a Cinderella is, either. You know how many teams have been in the elite eight all three of the last three seasons? One. It's Florida.

I don't claim to be a basketball or NCAA basketball expert, but my friendly advice is to learn that the game continues to be played even outside of Kansas and maybe check your facts before you speak out of turn. The funny thing is that I wouldn't be surprised if Kansas beat Florida - Florida is not the most talented team even in the SEC, nor are they probably more talented than Kansas. But they're a very talented team that plays extremely tough team defense and isn't reliant on one or two superstars on the offensive end. They're battle tested also against a very tough nonconference schedule, and they've shown the ability to close out teams that they're better than.

What you said about Florida is why I have them winning it all. They are a TEAM and don't rely on just a few players. They also are very efficient on offense and defense.

Cincinnati in the final four.

Damn.

I don't know how anyone could have them going that far. I had Harvard beating them because they have no offense.