Bracketology 2018-2019

[TDub]

I can muster exactly zero excitement for the tournament this week, and for Selection Sunday and beyond. Hopefully that'll change.

Probably the first year in like 30 years that I will pick someone other than Kansas winning the title. Usually I'm so much of a homer that I cant pick anyone else. But, this year, even my blinders cant obscure the fact that we are a sweet sixteen team... maybe.

[MICHHAWK]

Unless they send us to AFH, it really does not matter.

[NewtonHawk11]

I can muster exactly zero excitement for the tournament this week, and for Selection Sunday and beyond. Hopefully that'll change.

I can see why. I'm a little excited for the tournament. Because for once, KU has a reason to play extremely hard in it.

Selection Sunday is always fun. And the tournament is always fun to watch regardless. I'm not expecting much from KU, so maybe I'll enjoy it even more. In the past, I've always thought KU has a chance to win it all, so I always watch the games always wondering if KU could beat those guys.

This year, I'm just going with the flow and for the first time in maybe ever, not picking KU in my brackets.

[NewtonHawk11]

Unless they send us to AFH, it really does not matter.

Once again, KU 3-0 on neutral floors. All against top 20 teams. Granted, they involved Doke. But none of these games will be a true road environment. In fact, KU will have the most fans no matter the location for the first 2 games.

[jfish26]

Unless they send us to AFH, it really does not matter.

Once again, KU 3-0 on neutral floors. All against top 20 teams. Granted, they involved Doke. But none of these games will be a true road environment. In fact, KU will have the most fans no matter the location for the first 2 games.

November feels like a lifetime ago at this point. I'm not encouraged that, since Doke went down, our best wins are good-but-not-great home performances, and we've also got completely embarrassed three times (@UK, @Tech and @OU).

[NewtonHawk11]

It is interesting that ever since the NCAA committee released their top 16 seeds, KU is about average in terms of records in games since of the top 16. They were seeded 10th, and have gone 6-2 since that point. Michigan 5-3, Duke 6-3, Tennessee 6-3, Marquette 4-4, ISU 2-6, L'Ville 2-6 and Wisconsin at 5-3 all with worse winning percentages.

I know KU has looked bad in the 2 road losses, but this is still a good team. A team worthy of a low 3/high 4 seed.

[NewtonHawk11]

Unless they send us to AFH, it really does not matter.

Once again, KU 3-0 on neutral floors. All against top 20 teams. Granted, they involved Doke. But none of these games will be a true road environment. In fact, KU will have the most fans no matter the location for the first 2 games.

November feels like a lifetime ago at this point. I'm not encouraged that, since Doke went down, our best wins are good-but-not-great home performances, and we've also got completely embarrassed three times (@UK, @Tech and @OU).

Man, the UK loss embarrassing? Up by 3 at half. Lose by 8. On the road. Pretty harsh I guess.

Yes on the other 2 counts, though for sure.

[NewtonHawk11]

Now if you swap out, UK for ISU game where KU lost by 17, I'll listen.

Some real stinkers on the road. In tough environments. The NCAA tournament games are not tough environments. Unless the 13/14 seed has a chance late. Then 70% of the arena against you. But other than that, there's nothing that shows you'll have the crowd against you for 40 minutes.

[jfish26]

I'm not worried about the crowds, I'm worried about the teams. I'm not sure I see us getting out of the first weekend.

[Deleted User 183]

Unless they send us to AFH, it really does not matter.

Once again, KU 3-0 on neutral floors. All against top 20 teams. Granted, they involved Doke. But none of these games will be a true road environment. In fact, KU will have the most fans no matter the location for the first 2 games.

Why do you feel that's a fact?

[NewtonHawk11]

I'm not worried about the crowds, I'm worried about the teams. I'm not sure I see us getting out of the first weekend.

As am I. But I think the young guys get rattled by crowds. But I think heads up on a neutral floor, I think they can compete damn well with a lot of the top 25 teams out there. But I also wouldn't be surprised with a 13/4 upset like in Bill's first year when they relied heavily on Wayne. This team relies on Dedric. Need Grimes/Ochai/McCormack to step it up to take the pressure off Dotson and Dedric.

You don't notice it much on TV, but I was amazed at how KUs defense was on Saturday. That freshman went off, but they started their offense at the half court line every time, not too many easy buckets.

That needs to continue for KU to have any success.

[NewtonHawk11]

Unless they send us to AFH, it really does not matter.

Once again, KU 3-0 on neutral floors. All against top 20 teams. Granted, they involved Doke. But none of these games will be a true road environment. In fact, KU will have the most fans no matter the location for the first 2 games.

Why do you feel that's a fact?

I worded it wrong. But I'm confident that KU will have fans there and a lot of support because they always seem to have the most fans at the NCAA tournament games.

Maybe because they've always been close. But even when they go to California, Louisville or wherever. There seems to be a good turnout.

[jfish26]

I'm not worried about the crowds, I'm worried about the teams. I'm not sure I see us getting out of the first weekend.

As am I. But I think the young guys get rattled by crowds. But I think heads up on a neutral floor, I think they can compete damn well with a lot of the top 25 teams out there. But I also wouldn't be surprised with a 13/4 upset like in Bill's first year when they relied heavily on Wayne. This team relies on Dedric. Need Grimes/Ochai/McCormack to step it up to take the pressure off Dotson and Dedric.

You don't notice it much on TV, but I was amazed at how KUs defense was on Saturday. That freshman went off, but they started their offense at the half court line every time, not too many easy buckets.

That needs to continue for KU to have any success.

This team has consistently been limp and disinterested. I worry as much about a dead building as I do a hostile one.

[NewtonHawk11]

Good point. Good thing, I guess, is that KU has a week and a few days to figure it all out.

Just need to find that spark that could start a run. I just don't know if they'll ever get it.

[pdub]

We don't have a particular strength.
Good on defense.
Not really much else.

[Deleted User 89]

a week to prepare for tech did shit

i’ll be happy to make it out of the first weekend

[noosh]

We are going to get blasted by a 12 or 13 seed so I'd save the skrizz this year and just watch from home.

[jfish26]

We don't have a particular strength.
Good on defense.
Not really much else.

I agree with you. We have individual players who are strengths (both Dedric and Devon, individually, can give their defenders fits). Ochai has want-to, and Grimes and McCormack are...if not emerging, then at least becoming friskier.

But no one is going to be upset seeing us as their 3 or 4 (unless it's here in KC).

It's also the case that we really don't have anyone who, to date, will play like it's their last game at KU (even though, at least likely for Dedric and possibly for others, it is).

[jfish26]

a week to prepare for tech did shit

i’ll be happy to make it out of the first weekend

If for no other reason than to get Dotson, Grimes and Agbaji the experience of getting through one weekend and prepared for another, yes.

[CrimsonNBlue]

We should fill the locker room with former players to create some kind of urgency. D'Tae is about the only guy they listen to, though. There's no way you can know what the focus will be over next couple of weeks.