Running 2023-24 NCAA Basketball Thread

I will give credit where credit is due (as I should as a true fan); UConn plays extremely disciplined. Players who don't normally shoot much nailing huge shots down the stretch; Players getting Bueckers the ball at just the right time, players in foul trouble avoiding getting in DQ'd. Players playing with poise when its extremely tight and when USC is making a run, really well done to Geno and the players (although I hate how during play the announcers are saying "look at how Geno's orchestrating this set", dammit it give the players the credit, not the coaches).

 

I noticed that callout in the second half because it struck me until then how little genuflecting they did towards him. I guess eight years without a natty takes some of the shine off the idea of Coaching Zeus, but it feels like there’s less coach worship on the women’s side these days than in the men’s tournament. Probably a healthy development.

 

Unrelated, stayed in St. Louis Park last week for a work trip. Cool area.

 

I'd like to see Clark, Bueckers and two other stars (Cardoso? Reese?) play a decent team 4-on-5 to see how they'd do.

 

It will do a good number, but I don’t think it gets close to Iowa-LSU.

There’s a lot going on with that Iowa-LSU matchup, only some of which is related to basketball. UConn is a hell of a lot less interesting.

 

I will say I don't think I've seen more coverage and interest in the women's tournament than this year. Lots of star matchups has certainly helped, although with work I didn't see one second of either game last night.

 

Iowa-South Carolina on the other hand.....

 

Clark was a top five player in her class -- if she wants to hold that grudge I don't blame her

 

Yeah… I don’t know that it fully gets an LSU number, but it might. That’s a fun matchup.

 

Duke - NC State was huge

 

That was a fun second half. The first game Sunday was really fun, too.