Official Bracketology Thread

[Beachcat97]

Anyone know the tip time for Saturday?

[g32knights]

Anyone know the tip time for Saturday?

First game of the day, 12:45 EST, so is that 10:45 in Salt Lake?

[AZCatGirl]

Anyone know the tip time for Saturday?

First game of the day, 12:45 EST, so is that 10:45 in Salt Lake?

It is. Utah is an hour ahead of us this time of year.

[dmjcat]

Has anyone seen Charles Barkleys NCAA bracket predictions???

https://www.oregonlive.com/collegebaske ... -game.html

[AZCatGirl]

Has anyone seen Charles Barkleys NCAA bracket predictions???

https://www.oregonlive.com/collegebaske ... -game.html

Charles always supports us every year. Nice to have one guy with our back.

[Merkin]

His daughter was a student at the UA of memory serves

[Fishclamps]

Has anyone seen Charles Barkleys NCAA bracket predictions???

https://www.oregonlive.com/collegebaske ... -game.html

Charles always supports us every year. Nice to have one guy with our back.

Some might see it as a curse

[84Cat]

[Beachcat97]

Is there a team you've watched in the tourney that you thought to yourself, "yeah, Arizona couldn't beat these guys"?

Of the teams remaining, I feel like UConn and Houston are scariest. The only reason I leave off Purdue is because I can't see Loyer and Smith going 9-16 from 3 again against us. Tommy would have our guys better prepared to watch those shooters. We were within 4 of the Boilermakers with 5 minutes to play. On a "neutral" court in Phoenix, I'd love our chances against them.

Clingan, to me, is the best player remaining in the tournament. He's equally impactful on both ends of the floor, and our only player who'd stand a chance guarding him is Keshad.

And with Houston, I'm just in awe of their steady play and execution. Even as A&M chipped away at Houston's lead yesterday, did anyone ever really feel like the Cougs would lose? Sharp, Shead, Cryer...that's the best backcourt in the country.

[MrKyle]

Is there a team you've watched in the tourney that you thought to yourself, "yeah, Arizona couldn't beat these guys"?

Of the teams remaining, I feel like UConn and Houston are scariest. The only reason I leave off Purdue is because I can't see Loyer and Smith going 9-16 from 3 again against us. Tommy would have our guys better prepared to watch those shooters. We were within 4 of the Boilermakers with 5 minutes to play. On a "neutral" court in Phoenix, I'd love our chances against them.

Clingan, to me, is the best player remaining in the tournament. He's equally impactful on both ends of the floor, and our only player who'd stand a chance guarding him is Keshad.

And with Houston, I'm just in awe of their steady play and execution. Even as A&M chipped away at Houston's lead yesterday, did anyone ever really feel like the Cougs would lose? Sharp, Shead, Cryer...that's the best backcourt in the country.

If we play like we did for most of the first half of the Dayton game, and how we've seen in stretches throughout the season, I think we have a shot against any team in a 1 game scenario.

I agree that UCONN and Houston are scary good. Would love for a matchup with either of them to be title game, but unfortunately can't be the case for UCONN!

Houston's guard play is something to see for sure, I didn't think Houston would lose either - felt like anytime A&M made a run or had a chance that it was shut down by a big play from Houston. Even with a bunch of their starters fouling out in OT they still managed to hang on too.

[Postmaster]

It’s crazy the path Sampson has traveled.
While at WA ST he was a popular choice to replace Lute if Lute had left for KY.
Instead he goes to OK and things don’t go that well.
He gets in trouble with NCAA. Then he appears at HOU and turns them into a contender for multiple years.

[Beachcat97]

It’s crazy the path Sampson has traveled.
While at WA ST he was a popular choice to replace Lute if Lute had left for KY.
Instead he goes to OK and things don’t go that well.
He gets in trouble with NCAA. Then he appears at HOU and turns them into a contender for multiple years.

I'm impressed with the identity he's brought to the Houston program. He's been recruiting the right players for that program, and they're thriving. Can't believe they also had Sasser last year.

[wyo-cat]

It’s crazy the path Sampson has traveled.
While at WA ST he was a popular choice to replace Lute if Lute had left for KY.
Instead he goes to OK and things don’t go that well.
He gets in trouble with NCAA. Then he appears at HOU and turns them into a contender for multiple years.

He got a show cause ban at Indiana. It was really fucked up.

[Postmaster]

It’s crazy the path Sampson has traveled.
While at WA ST he was a popular choice to replace Lute if Lute had left for KY.
Instead he goes to OK and things don’t go that well.
He gets in trouble with NCAA. Then he appears at HOU and turns them into a contender for multiple years.

He got a show cause ban at Indiana. It was really fucked up.

I forgot IU. I was thinking he got a “show cause” but I wasn’t positive so I didn’t add it in my post. I was also thinking, if he did , it was at OU.

[ZagCatFan]

Purdue is 7-0 against Sweet 16 teams.

Crazy stat!

[84Cat]

Our 3 transfers from this season came from Alabama, UNC & SDSU . Those teams are all in the Sweet 16

[KaibabKat]

Here are the 2024 sweet sixteen TEAM rankings. Each and every player is given a "value" determined by his Hollinger PER multiplied by the PERCENT of minutes he has played for the team. The TEAM value is the sum of the player values.

2087 UConn
2051 Gonzaga
1984 Purdue
1927 Houston
1918 Arizona
1916 Duke
1914 Alabama
1884 Illinois
1858 Creighton
1820 Marquette
1806 Iowa State
1789 Tennessee
1788 North Carolina
1729 Clemson
1720 NC State
1682 San Diego State

Arizona should reach the Elite Eight tomorrow.
Don't be surprised if the "Caleb Love" game with North Carolina never happens - Arizona could end up with a worse matchup vs. Alabama.
Don't be surprised if Zach Edey never sees an Elite Eight. Gonzaga was seriously under-seeded this year.

[CalStateTempe]

I’m good with all those outcomes Kaibab’

[azcat49]

This is a pretty big boy loaded sweet 16. Cindarella is watching at home

[Beachcat97]

Here are the 2024 sweet sixteen TEAM rankings. Each and every player is given a "value" determined by his Hollinger PER multiplied by the PERCENT of minutes he has played for the team. The TEAM value is the sum of the player values.

2087 UConn
2051 Gonzaga
1984 Purdue
1927 Houston
1918 Arizona
1916 Duke
1914 Alabama
1884 Illinois
1858 Creighton
1820 Marquette
1806 Iowa State
1789 Tennessee
1788 North Carolina
1729 Clemson
1720 NC State
1682 San Diego State

Arizona should reach the Elite Eight tomorrow.
Don't be surprised if the "Caleb Love" game with North Carolina never happens - Arizona could end up with a worse matchup vs. Alabama.
Don't be surprised if Zach Edey never sees an Elite Eight. Gonzaga was seriously under-seeded this year.

I'm fine with the less heralded "Jaden Bradley" game with Alabama this weekend.

[AZCatGirl]

Alabama does make me a little nervous since we beat them before, but with a Final 4 on the line I think our guys will be ready no matter who we play.

Gotta take care of tomorrow first though.

[azcat49]

UNC will beat Bama in a high scoring game

Our game is going to be close but I do think we win. Clemson is only 8-8 when they score 73 points but 15-3 when the control tempo. Couple that with a brutal travel schedule and they will be walking it up the court all night.

Not sure how they have held their opposition in this tournament to 9-47 from three but since we generally don’t take a lot of three’s (ranked like 250+) this would be another readon thus one should stay close.

[CalStateTempe]

When I hear National pundits talk about this game it becomes clear that they really don’t watch Arizona. Just “Caleb love experience” and Clemson with the upset.

[pc in NM]

When I hear National pundits talk about this game it becomes clear that they really don’t watch Arizona. Just “Caleb love experience” and Clemson with the upset.

Hmmm...

I have yet to see a national pundit pick Clemson. In any case, so the fuck what?

Most of the pundits I've seen focus on Ballo vs Hall; Clemson's lack of forcing TO's, Our offensive rebounding, and our 8-man depth

We're playing the second lowest seed in the Sweet 16.

If we play our game, we adevance.

BTFD!!!!

[Winger]

Here are the 2024 sweet sixteen TEAM rankings. Each and every player is given a "value" determined by his Hollinger PER multiplied by the PERCENT of minutes he has played for the team. The TEAM value is the sum of the player values.

2087 UConn
2051 Gonzaga
1984 Purdue
1927 Houston
1918 Arizona
1916 Duke
1914 Alabama
1884 Illinois
1858 Creighton
1820 Marquette
1806 Iowa State
1789 Tennessee
1788 North Carolina
1729 Clemson
1720 NC State
1682 San Diego State

Arizona should reach the Elite Eight tomorrow.
Don't be surprised if the "Caleb Love" game with North Carolina never happens - Arizona could end up with a worse matchup vs. Alabama.
Don't be surprised if Zach Edey never sees an Elite Eight. Gonzaga was seriously under-seeded this year.

First thought when I saw Gonzaga that high is that the data isn’t corrected for SOS?

I.e. it’s easier to put up good Hollinger numbers in the WCC than it is the ACC, B1G, B12, etc.

[MrKyle]

UNC will beat Bama in a high scoring game

Our game is going to be close but I do think we win. Clemson is only 8-8 when they score 73 points but 15-3 when the control tempo. Couple that with a brutal travel schedule and they will be walking it up the court all night.

Not sure how they have held their opposition in this tournament to 9-47 from three but since we generally don’t take a lot of three’s (ranked like 250+) this would be another readon thus one should stay close.

Their defense didn't look outstanding in the Baylor game, I watched the whole thing. Baylor missed a lot of good looks from 3. Not sure about NM as I didn't see much of that game.

As you mentioned with three's not being our primary offense, I think we'll be in a good spot - don't force 3's, drive and kick out for good looks, work the matchups inside with Ballo etc.

[U.P. Zona Fan]

We are 7 point faves, we've covered our tourney games, if we keep that up we win.

Need to start covering by more than 1 though.

[Beachcat97]

We are 7 point faves, we've covered our tourney games, if we keep that up we win.

Need to start covering by more than 1 though.

Just win. I never bet on AZ, so the line is meaningless to me.

[Irish27]

.

[Irish27]

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story ... redictions

[Beachcat97]

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story ... redictions

Next season feels very unpredictable right now. Roster still has some questions. A 3 seed would be a pretty damn good outcome for the team, given we’ll have earned it in a tougher conference.

[Merkin]

Cripes, UA overrated again. UA may have an all new starting lineup if Love does not come back.

Hasn't the UA lost to lower seeds 6 tourneys in a row?

[Beachcat97]

Cripes, UA overrated again. UA may have an all new starting lineup if Love does not come back.

Hasn't the UA lost to lower seeds 6 tourneys in a row?

I’ve learned to take these very optimistic forecasts as a sign of respect for Tommy and the program. Even with the roster instability, they still think Tommy will ultimately put it all together and earn another high seed.

I’m much less interested in 2025 Bracketology than in what Caleb, K.J. and Jaden are going to do.

[TheCat]

Cripes, UA overrated again. UA may have an all new starting lineup if Love does not come back.

Hasn't the UA lost to lower seeds 6 tourneys in a row?

When you are a 1 or 2 seed chances are your going to lose to a lower seed.

[Merkin]

When you are a 1 or 2 seed chances are your going to lose to a lower seed.

You do realize UA is the only school in the history of the known universe to lose as a 2 seed in the first game twice?

[pc in NM]

When you are a 1 or 2 seed chances are your going to lose to a lower seed.

You do realize UA is the only school in the history of the known universe to lose as a 2 seed in the first game twice?

1993 & 2023 - 30 years apart...

... What possible meaningful conclusion could anyone make out of those two unrelated facts???

[dovecanyoncat]

When you are a 1 or 2 seed chances are your going to lose to a lower seed.

You do realize UA is the only school in the history of the known universe to lose as a 2 seed in the first game twice?

1993 & 2023 - 30 years apart...

... What possible meaningful conclusion could anyone make out of those two unrelated facts???

.... that we only need two consecutive 15 year periods in which to prove that we are uniquely special at not having nice things.

[pc in NM]

When you are a 1 or 2 seed chances are your going to lose to a lower seed.

You do realize UA is the only school in the history of the known universe to lose as a 2 seed in the first game twice?

1993 & 2023 - 30 years apart...

... What possible meaningful conclusion could anyone make out of those two unrelated facts???

.... that we only need two consecutive 15 year periods in which to prove that we are uniquely special at not having nice things.

OK

...and it's in our culture, because we accomplish this high/low achievement with entirely different personnel in every level of the Athletic Department (Head coaches through all assistants, trainers, support staff, players, administrators, announcers, and McKale personnel.

Only demented boomer fans and Greg Hansen can be relied upon for verbal witness accounts, so you, fine reader, know it's real af!

[dovecanyoncat]

When you are a 1 or 2 seed chances are your going to lose to a lower seed.

You do realize UA is the only school in the history of the known universe to lose as a 2 seed in the first game twice?

1993 & 2023 - 30 years apart...

... What possible meaningful conclusion could anyone make out of those two unrelated facts???

.... that we only need two consecutive 15 year periods in which to prove that we are uniquely special at not having nice things.

OK

...and it's in our culture, because we accomplish this high/low achievement with entirely different personnel in every level of the Athletic Department (Head coaches through all assistants, trainers, support staff, players, administrators, announcers, and McKale personnel.

It's hard to argue with that broad input series.

Only demented boomer fans and Greg Hansen can be relied upon for verbal witness accounts, so you, fine reader, know it's real af!

Across any generation recognition of one's nature is the first real step toward reconciling experience with understanding.

[TheCat]

When you are a 1 or 2 seed chances are your going to lose to a lower seed.

You do realize UA is the only school in the history of the known universe to lose as a 2 seed in the first game twice?

No Merk I don't follow U of A basketball. Do you realize that Virginia and Purdue or the only number 1 seeded teams to lose in the first round and in the following year play for the championship? Bad matchups happen or you believe that they just got that much better?

[Beachcat97]

When you are a 1 or 2 seed chances are your going to lose to a lower seed.

You do realize UA is the only school in the history of the known universe to lose as a 2 seed in the first game twice?

No Merk I don't follow U of A basketball. Do you realize that Virginia and Purdue or the only number 1 seeded teams to lose in the first round and in the following year play for the championship? Bad matchups happen or you believe that they just got that much better?

What’s your beef, TC? Feel like your tone’s gotten more peevish or aggressive.

We’re all on the same team.

Bear down!

[TheCat]

No just think that ole Merk has been a little negative and that most here don't appreciate the luck and skill that it takes to play at a level that is needed to get to a final four. I think if you pulled any statistics it would say teams like Duke or Kentucky or Kansas have lost to teams rated below them more than Arizona in the tourney because they are often one or two seeds. Wasn't it Sean Miller for the longest time that never lost to a lower seed? Well that changed when he became a one or two seed.
If success is measured only by NCAA wins then it will be tough to be happy in life. I appreciate the players and coaches that give their time and effort to be part of Arizona.

[Irish27]

#3 in the Midwest
https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story ... redictions

[Irish27]

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story ... redictions

[Irish27]

Up to #2 in the west.
https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story ... redictions

[Irish27]

Cats drop to a 4 seed.
https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story ... redictions

[TheCat]

Jesus these polls are going to be like the election. Don't matter till it's over. Hopefully we get better win or lose with each game.

[AZCatGirl]

There's zero point to bracketology until the beginning of the year. Any of our opinions are just as valid at this point.