1.) Winning the NCAA tournament is really hard and sometimes unfair. The best team hardly wins and the stars seemingly align for teams that are clearly not as talented. I do think Tenn had a final 4 type team but can’t think of how many other team’s over the past two decades who had similar teams and got bounced early. Numerous Bill Self teams who steamrolled the regular season only to get bounced by an 8 seed come to mind. Takeaway: The goal is to consistently be #1-3 seed and eventually you’ll break through. That’s exactly why UNC, Duke, KY, KS make so many final 4s, but also get upset a lot.
2.) I really think Rick Barnes learned from 2017 and 2018 loss to loyala and Purdue by how he coached this season. He stuck to a predictable rotation in the first half of games that imo saved the team’s legs but allowed them to practice hard all year. Don’t think this team got tired this past weekend and winning the SEC tournament is a sign of that. We also saw him make numerous changes mid game in the SEC tournament. Bottom line we went 2-18 from three point range. Coach K said he did no coaching the last 5 minutes of the game last night it was all the players. Our players just didn’t step up in the last 5 minutes and missed a ton of open looks. Takeaway: Rick had a final 4 team but got unlucky running into top 10 team based on talent disguised as an 11 seed (see below). But I think he’s growing as a coach, but it’s rare to have final 4 good teams (see above). I think he’ll grow from this loss too.
3.) Takeaway: NCAA seeding is deeply flawed. Clear we didn’t deserve a 3 seed, but also clear UM didn’t deserve an #11 seed. I understand they were on the bubble but they were pre season ranked #6 and that team has multiple NBA players and highly recruited players on it. You can’t tell me if they played in the American conference they wouldn’t have won that conference. Therefore, if you’re going to include bubble teams like UM you have to consider the talent and schedule they played. You also can’t tell me St. Mary’s is a better team than UM and deserves a 4 seed. If you put UM in they have to be higher than an 11 seed. That was an elite 8 type of game and it was a shame either team had to lose. Seeding needs to be reevaluated and reward the best teams with the best talent and resumes. Giving non-P5 schools high seeds who don’t play anybody is ridiculous notwithstanding Gonzaga who plays as tough as an out of conference as they can and has multiple future NBA players.
2.) I really think Rick Barnes learned from 2017 and 2018 loss to loyala and Purdue by how he coached this season. He stuck to a predictable rotation in the first half of games that imo saved the team’s legs but allowed them to practice hard all year. Don’t think this team got tired this past weekend and winning the SEC tournament is a sign of that. We also saw him make numerous changes mid game in the SEC tournament. Bottom line we went 2-18 from three point range. Coach K said he did no coaching the last 5 minutes of the game last night it was all the players. Our players just didn’t step up in the last 5 minutes and missed a ton of open looks. Takeaway: Rick had a final 4 team but got unlucky running into top 10 team based on talent disguised as an 11 seed (see below). But I think he’s growing as a coach, but it’s rare to have final 4 good teams (see above). I think he’ll grow from this loss too.
3.) Takeaway: NCAA seeding is deeply flawed. Clear we didn’t deserve a 3 seed, but also clear UM didn’t deserve an #11 seed. I understand they were on the bubble but they were pre season ranked #6 and that team has multiple NBA players and highly recruited players on it. You can’t tell me if they played in the American conference they wouldn’t have won that conference. Therefore, if you’re going to include bubble teams like UM you have to consider the talent and schedule they played. You also can’t tell me St. Mary’s is a better team than UM and deserves a 4 seed. If you put UM in they have to be higher than an 11 seed. That was an elite 8 type of game and it was a shame either team had to lose. Seeding needs to be reevaluated and reward the best teams with the best talent and resumes. Giving non-P5 schools high seeds who don’t play anybody is ridiculous notwithstanding Gonzaga who plays as tough as an out of conference as they can and has multiple future NBA players.
Last edited:
