The Official 2025 March Madness Discussion Thread

[Tnphil]

I think he’s horribly wrong in his assessment that BYU is better than Kentucky. That’s a very emotional assessment imo as Kentucky beats BYU more times than not. However, to his point, what does it matter what BYU’s program has historically done? We’re talking about 2025. What effect does it have on this tournament what a program has done historically? The answer: no effect at all. If BYU’s program was 0-10,000 prior to this season, it would have no effect at all on this post season. They’re a good team. Not great. Definitely not good enough to hang without Bama for 40 minutes.

Tradition does mean something in a lot of circumstances. How many times did Florida beat our asses when we had the better team. Thinking you are going to win means something.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

I think Bama's night is a bad omen. Law of averages may be there in the next game regardless of how good or bad the next defense is they play

I think you are thinking logically. Sometimes the game of basketball isn’t logical, though. Some teams, like a Nate Oats Alabama team, defy logic with how well they can shoot the basketball.

With that being said, I think Duke is just a hair better than Alabama. Duke sends Bama home in a close one come Saturday.

 

[Flogballs]

Terps imploding. Late karma for the travel.

 

[kiddiedoc]

I think you are thinking logically. Sometimes the game of basketball isn’t logical, though. Some teams, like a Nate Oats Alabama team, defy logic with how well they can shoot the basketball.

With that being said, I think Duke is just a hair better than Alabama. Duke sends Bama home in a close one come Saturday.

If they shoot like they did tonight, they will beat Duke by 8-12

 

[Delmar]

BYU was ranked #247 in opposition 3s this year. They’re awful

They certainly confirmed that stat.

 

[DirtyDawg]

Florida is 33-4, won the SEC Tournament and would have won the SEC regular season without that weird Georgia game that they nearly came back and won after being down 26, lol. 6-2 against all other SEC teams still in the tournament as well. It might be time to admit they’re just really good. Lol.

Yeah, they are very good, but you guys are also very good. Gonna be interesting! I agree with many posters here, that if Bama keeps shooting like they did tonight, they are going to be extremely tough to beat. But it’s very unlikely to continue shooting at that level, especially when they play teams that play better defensively, and from what I’ve watched, you guys are usually pretty solid on defense.

 

[omghulkhands]

Star BYU Player Suspended After Testing Positive For Coffee

PROVO, UT—In a crushing blow to the team’s hopes of winning the NCAA men’s tournament, star Brigham Young University player Mihailo Boskovic was reportedly suspended Tuesday after testing positive for coffee. “Upon detecting the illicit substance on Boskovic’s breath before a game, we ordered an...

theonion.com

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Tradition does mean something in a lot of circumstances. How many times did Florida beat our asses when we had the better team. Thinking you are going to win means something.

Couldn’t disagree more. Tradition from x amount of years ago means nothing in a game that takes place today unless a team is very mentally weak. Nowadays, it matters even less than it used to since a lot of players have only been on a school’s campus for 8 months come tournament time.

 

[Sudden Impact]

Maryland coach. Dude is going to Nova and it’s been leaked for days now

thanks

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

If they shoot like they did tonight, they will beat Duke by 8-12

That’s true. Just don’t foresee that happening. I do think Duke gets everything they could ask for and more. Perhaps I’m oversimplifying it, but I just think Cooper Flagg gets Duke over the top despite Oats being the better coach by a big margin.

 

[OrangeVolMan]

BYU is better than Kentucky. Alabama just went nuclear and set a record. Do you all even watch the games? Of course it looks like an easy draw when you make 25 3-pointers!!!

A lot of those 3s were wide open. It was like practice. BYU played no D.

 

[kiddiedoc]

That’s true. Just don’t foresee that happening. I do think Duke gets everything they could ask for and more. Perhaps I’m oversimplifying it, but I just think Cooper Flagg gets Duke over the top despite Oats being the better coach by a big margin.

I'm rooting for a tornado.

 

[TrapVol]

Maryland coach. Dude is going to Nova and it’s been leaked for days now

If that’s the case, maybe Ja’kobi Gillespie would be willing to transfer back home. We are in bad need of a good PG.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Maryland coach. Dude is going to Nova and it’s been leaked for days now

He better go to Nova. Maryland may be willing to take the “you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here” approach after some of Willard’s antics. Partly joking when I say that but partly not. He’s handled this in about as classless of a manner as one can.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

A lot of those 3s were wide open. It was like practice. BYU played no D.

I don’t disagree, but I’m just countering this idea that Alabama had some easy draw and got gifted an Elite 8. BYU is a great team that just ran into a buzz saw tonight.

 

[Flogballs]

If that’s the case, maybe Ja’kobi Gillespie would be willing to transfer back home.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

I'm rooting for a tornado.

Duke vs. Bama in basketball is like Emperor Palpatine vs. Sauron. Can they both lose?

 

[HeuperDrive]

I don’t disagree, but I’m just countering this idea that Alabama had some easy draw and got gifted an Elite 8. BYU is a great team that just ran into a buzz saw tonight.

I agree with you, Bama didn’t get an easy draw whatsoever. Robert Morris was the best of the 15 seeds this year, St. Mary's was a solid team, and BYU was pretty heavily underseeded. And then, they still have to play Duke in the elite eight (unless we finally get some actual madness in this years March Madness, but let’s not kid ourselves).

Thank God we avoided that bracket lol

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Man, Arizona is SMALL. And Duke is BIG. Didn’t realize how tiny Arizona’s starting 5 was. Awaka is the starting 5 at 6’8”?

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Man, Arizona is SMALL. And Duke is BIG. Didn’t realize how tiny Arizona’s starting 5 was. Awaka is the starting 5 at 6’8”?

How long before Awaka picks up his second foul? I’ll set the over/under at the second media TO.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

I agree with you, Bama didn’t get an easy draw whatsoever. Robert Morris was the best of the 15 seeds this year, St. Mary's was a solid team, and BYU was pretty heavily underseeded. And then, they still have to play Duke in the elite eight (unless we finally get some actual madness in this years March Madness, but let’s not kid ourselves).

Thank God we avoided that bracket lol

BYU would be a tough matchup for us. Disagree with St. Mary’s. Teams that can’t shoot the 3 play into our defensive strengths. St. Mary’s was a really bad 3 point shooting team.

Anyways, doesn’t matter. Just a thought I had. Kentucky is a better version of BYU imo. Hopefully it goes our way this time.

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

BYU a 6 seed is better than a 3 seed in the SEC KY. Classic!

Despite one being better than the other, imagine we do end up making to a finals or even win a Natty. How much sweeter is it going to be to get there whilst getting our revenge on KY and shutting their mouths at the same time?
Personally, I wouldn't want it any other way.

 

[Franklin_Vol09]

I still love Awaka

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

Alabama is mediocre against any team that plays a semblance of defense that can also score right there with them. See both Florida games this season. I suspect if Duke wins tonight they win rather comfortably against them.

If Nelson is a 100% healthy I can definitely see Alabama being able to hang with Duke.

 

[DooleyOrangePants]

Awaka has been impressive. If he can keep his fouls under control, he could be the difference maker in this game just in his physical defense alone.