NCAA Tournament Bracket
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The 3 seed shouldn't be worried about playing the strongest 14 seed. And don't see how BYU can be stronger than Texas Tech when Texas Tech is 2-0 against them this season, including a 14 point win this week.
My top choice for a 3 would have been Clemson, but BYU could easily be the 2nd best. And reality is, they're all pretty similar in quality.
With the game being played in SLC, I doubt it. I'd think the games in Charlotte or Pittsburgh get that spot.
Jay Bilas just seems like a miserable person lately I'm not sure what is going on with him.
We also can’t keep begging for favorable matchups every year. We need to go out and win a game we’re supposed to
I don’t know what all of you are worrying about. The way I see it, we got the easiest draw of every team in the tournament. We’re the only team guaranteed to not play Illinois!
Favorable? How about just not extremely unfavorable?
Loyola was top 10 on KenPom and an 8 seed.
Houston was top 5 on KenPom and a 5 seed.
The actual committee thought BYU was the 17th best team, which equates to the best 5 seed. And that's who we likely get to face in the 2nd round, as a 3 seed.
I swear the NCAA has a vendetta against Illinois Toughest bracket by far. Look at the West region compared to the East. East region top 4 seeds are all ranked in the top 10 KenPom ratings
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
This East bracket is ugly It has the B1G, SEC, Big12, and Big East tourney champs in one bracket. WOW.....
Gonzaga and NC were the clearly seeded favorably. Auburn and Indiana State were under seeded by a wide margin. Illinois can only blame themself if they don’t make it to the elite eight or better. Though we will probably blame the referees. Should be a fun run.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Is it a tough bracket? Of course, the East is loaded! However:
1) I don’t think the draw strictly to get the Sweet Sixteen is too daunting … and everyone here should be happy if we’re playing in the Second Weekend.
2) If we stop focusing on how favorable or unfavorable the draw is, can we ask this instead … can this team make the Elite Eight? The answer is clearly yes - we CAN beat BYU and Iowa State, period. Then we throw everything we have at UConn if we’re there.
1) I don’t think the draw strictly to get the Sweet Sixteen is too daunting … and everyone here should be happy if we’re playing in the Second Weekend.
2) If we stop focusing on how favorable or unfavorable the draw is, can we ask this instead … can this team make the Elite Eight? The answer is clearly yes - we CAN beat BYU and Iowa State, period. Then we throw everything we have at UConn if we’re there.
Happens every year
EDIT: Greenberg (EPSN) has us in the elite 8 at least
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ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Even after winning the SEC tournament, Auburn is 3-7 in Quad 1.
KenPom cares than on their good days they beat solid teams by blowout margins. The committee much less so.
Disagreed. If we can't beat Morehead State and BYU.....then it's moot. We'll be favored in both games and we should win both games. Iowa State is a good team. So what? In the Sweet 16, everyone's good.
F! Myron Medcalf, what a hatchet-job team summary of Illinois on ESPN's "every team explained" https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/page/FirstLookField-39723129/march-madness-2024-every-team-mens-ncaa-tournament-bracket-explained Dude clearly has an ax to grind re: TSJ's alleged assault. Folks want a basketball summary not a tabloid.
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
They say money don't lie. The East Bracket is tough !! top 4 teams in the top 11 betting lines
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I mean there a bunch of good 3s and 4s that you could throw in.
Auburn(tough draw for them), Alabama and Baylor are weak bracket, Creighton, and Kentucky are all capable of making a run imo and I didn't mention the Illini.
At least pick one of them that you like to make a run instead of just picking 1s and throwing in a 2.
Thinking positive thoughts only.
The teams that should be complaining about their draws are in no particular order Morehead St., BYU, and Iowa St.
BYU and Iowa St. want to avoid playing US!
Washington St. beat Arizona twice this season. No reason they can't beat Iowa St.
Duquesne over BYU? 11's over 6's happen all the time.
FAU and Auburn as UCONN roadblocks, no complaints.
The teams that should be complaining about their draws are in no particular order Morehead St., BYU, and Iowa St.
BYU and Iowa St. want to avoid playing US!
Washington St. beat Arizona twice this season. No reason they can't beat Iowa St.
Duquesne over BYU? 11's over 6's happen all the time.
FAU and Auburn as UCONN roadblocks, no complaints.
Truly a terrible piece of writing. I’m tired of no accountability by these writers. Unfortunately ranks right up there with Pat Forde who is clueless.
Our path has really good teams- much tougher than the MW or West
But, in terms of matchups BYU and Iowa state don’t have scoring big men they can throw the ball too and let them have their way. That is our Achilles heel
If we are going to play good teams I’d rather they be guard dominate and have them try to be better than our guards- I’ll take that any day
But, in terms of matchups BYU and Iowa state don’t have scoring big men they can throw the ball too and let them have their way. That is our Achilles heel
If we are going to play good teams I’d rather they be guard dominate and have them try to be better than our guards- I’ll take that any day
Big Jack
- Decatur
One game at a time. Enjoy tonight and rest tomorrow prepare for a tough match up
Illini in OC
In. The. Alley.
F Auburn, home of Satan
NASchamp
- Atlanta
Exactly.
Exactly. Actual personnel matchup is more important than the number next to the team…
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