OFFICIAL: Selection Sunday Thread

[Ballard]

Great post. Hard to argue with many of your points. You pretty much nailed it. Thanks and good luck to your teams except when they play Wichita State!

I would say that the only silver lining is that whomever comes out of the Midwest will having an easier Final Four game than the other side of the bracket.

Although Arizona is formidable, they aren't the same team without Ashley. They just don't scare me.

On the other side, Florida has played great ball all season, and Michigan State is finally healthy and looks like they're peaking at the right time. If my team makes it to the Final 4, I'd much rather play Arizona than either of those 2 teams.

[TheDover1018]

I think Louisville is not as good as last year. I think we are better than last year. That makes me more confident.

THIS. Also, neither Duke or Michigan play good enough Defense to worry me.

[Slam21]

THIS. Also, neither Duke or Michigan play good enough Defense to worry me.

UL is without Siva the PG from last year. He was the glue. Jones is UL point now and he is very solid and heady for a frosh. Not as quick, not as savvy, but may be a better scorer. Gotta pressure him into staying out of the lanes. And for a God's sake don't get suckered into Hancock's pump fakes. UL is not as deep or as good as last year's team but the fall off is not too far down.

[jocoshock]

@ESPN_FirstTake: Stephen A.'s #Final4Picks

Wichita St
Wisconsin
Kansas
Mich St.

[TheDover1018]

UL is without Siva the PG from last year. He was the glue. Jones is UL point now and he is very solid and heady for a frosh. Not as quick, not as savvy, but may be a better scorer. Gotta pressure him into staying out of the lanes. And for a God's sake don't get suckered into Hancock's pump fakes. UL is not as deep or as good as last year's team but the fall off is not too far down.

The drop from this year to last is definitely really small for them. I recently re-watched some of last year's NCAA tournament run for WSU (NO WSU basketball for a WHOLE week can be rough) and I was struck by how much better our team is this year. That was the bigger point for me, that Wichita State is just a better team in nearly every facet this year.

[wsubball04]

There is no doubt that WSU has a tough bracket full of big names and storied programs, but would we want it any other way? This team, and our coach is built on and motivated by the naysayers and lack of respect. 3G does not have blue blood pedigree. He had to work his way up. Nobody did him any favors. Despite his success (7NCAAs at Winthrop), no one gave him much credit. Now with the turnaround at WSU, people still doubt him. Each of our players were overlooked or had to prove themselves at one point or another. No one handed them anything. All season long we heard about the schedule and the weak MVC. And we all know that if WSU had a easier path to the FF, then that would be the talking point. So what better way to motivate this team, and shut up all naysayers, than to have Kentucky, Louisville (home game), Duke or Michigan?

This tournament mirrors our NIT season and last year in so many ways. In 2011 we were snubbed by the NCAA. We clearly should have been in. So how did we prove it? Humiliated BCS Nebraska, walloped BCS Washington State and took down Alabama. Our play during that tournament showed we were worthy. Last year, we should have had a better seed. We did not get the credit we deserved. So what did we do? Took down Pitt, lit up Gonzaga, showed La Salle that they got lucky a few times, and took Louisville to the brink. We were the only team to challenge Louisville and but for a quick tie up call, we could have taken them out.

This year we have a chance to show that a team of overlooked players and coaches that play like a team can take down a bunch of one and doners who get all kinds of attention. We then can payback Louisville to erase any doubt that last year was a fluke. Next up last year's runner-up or one of the most storied bball programs. What better ending to this historic season?

Of course the road could be different because of upsets, but regardless of who we play, if we are successful, there is no doubt about the greatness of our team and our coach.

[Slam21]

There is no doubt that WSU has a tough bracket full of big names and storied programs, but would we want it any other way? This team, and our coach is built on and motivated by the naysayers and lack of respect. 3G does not have blue blood pedigree. He had to work his way up. Nobody did him any favors. Despite his success (7NCAAs at Winthrop), no one gave him much credit. Now with the turnaround at WSU, people still doubt him. Each of our players were overlooked or had to prove themselves at one point or another. No one handed them anything. All season long we heard about the schedule and the weak MVC. And we all know that if WSU had a easier path to the FF, then that would be the talking point. So what better way to motivate this team, and shut up all naysayers, than to have Kentucky, Louisville (home game), Duke or Michigan?

This tournament mirrors our NIT season and last year in so many ways. In 2011 we were snubbed by the NCAA. We clearly should have been in. So how did we prove it? Humiliated BCS Nebraska, walloped BCS Washington State and took down Alabama. Our play during that tournament showed we were worthy. Last year, we should have had a better seed. We did not get the credit we deserved. So what did we do? Took down Pitt, lit up Gonzaga, showed La Salle that they got lucky a few times, and took Louisville to the brink. We were the only team to challenge Louisville and but for a quick tie up call, we could have taken them out.

This year we have a chance to show that a team of overlooked players and coaches that play like a team can take down a bunch of one and doners who get all kinds of attention. We then can payback Louisville to erase any doubt that last year was a fluke. Next up last year's runner-up or one of the most storied bball programs. What better ending to this historic season?

Of course the road could be different because of upsets, but regardless of who we play, if we are successful, there is no doubt about the greatness of our team and our coach.

WSU is getting respect. The national pundits and fans (for the most part) are taking notice. Sure, some are saying it's a fluke or making other excuses, but WSU is not in that underdog role as it was last year and will be the favored to beat UK. If UK gets past KSU then UK will be trying to redeem itself and gain respect after a disappointing season.

With all due respect, I think WSU poses a greater match up problem for UL than UK for the simple fact that both Behanan and Siva are not back this year and Behanan's loss hurts their inside and rebounding advantage against WSU.

[jdshock]

WSU is getting respect. The national pundits and fans (for the most part) are taking notice. Sure, some are saying it's a fluke or making other excuses, but WSU is not in that underdog role as it was last year and will be the favored to beat UK. If UK gets past KSU then UK will be trying to redeem itself and gain respect after a disappointing season.

You, sir, are obviously not familiar with our shtick.

[rjl]

That one Rob Barker guy is the pride of Scott City Iowa

****em. Let's beat some ass. I don't care if anyone doesn't know who we are. They will.

Rob Barker from Scott City, Iowa, is going to do a Showcase Showdown on some clowns.

Clearily Early is going to be hot from the gate.

Take Cotton is wrapping up their best player.

Fred Van Huesen won't be slacking. He's putting ass-ists on liquidation sale, isle 2.

Chadrock Luftwaffe will be dropping bombs.

Clarence Carter will be OOOOHHHHH ****, Clarence Carter.

Kadeem Dolby will be coming in clear.

And Bic Wiggins will shave through defenses, telling the media they had the wrong brother the whole time.

[ShockerPrez]

****em. Let's beat some ass. I don't care if anyone doesn't know who we are. They will.

Rob Barker from Scott City, Iowa, is going to do a Showcase Showdown on some clowns.

Clearily Early is going to be hot from the gate.

Take Cotton is wrapping up their best player.

Fred Van Huesen won't be slacking. He's putting ass-ists on liquidation sale, isle 2.

Chadrock Luftwaffe will be dropping bombs.

Clarence Carter will be OOOOHHHHH ****, Clarence Carter.

Kadeem Dolby will be coming in clear.

And Bic Wiggins will shave through defenses, telling the media they had the wrong brother the whole time.

And how bout Earl Waffle?

If he can get a three to go down, look out!

[DUShock]

From CNN's bleacher report on teams that got hosed. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...bracket/page/6

[GarH]

rjl gets my vote for best post so far. I loved it.

[Rlh04d]

Although Arizona is formidable, they aren't the same team without Ashley. They just don't scare me.

A scenario I would LOVE to see is Gonzaga knocking off both Ok State and Arizona as the 9 seed. Perfect mirror to last season.

[Heinro]

A scenario I would LOVE to see is Gonzaga knocking off both Ok State and Arizona as the 9 seed. Perfect mirror to last season.

I actually think this is realistic, and strikingly similar to us last year. Per Ken Pom's efficiency numbers, Gonzaga vs. Oklahoma St. is going to be a war.

Our possible Louisville match up would be an epic battle for the Sweet 16. Both are top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

[WSUwatcher]

I'm just glad the tournament doesn't last one more week -- the selection committee would probably have had the Spurs and Heat waiting as WSU's next two potential opponents if they successfully negotiate the gauntlet they've been handed.

On the other hand, what could possibly be better motivation than this for what's already the tournament's most determined team?