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Reactions: Tough NCAA teams Users select tournament sleepers
Posted: Monday February 21, 2000 12:18 AM CNNSI.com asked users to explain the one team they wouldn't want to play in the 2000 NCAA tournament. While many users chose schools ranked in the top 10, many more thought the scariest team of this year's tournament would be from outside the top 10 -- even the top 25. A collection of some of our most interesting responses follows:
I chose North Carolina because they have been playing really well as of late. Thus, a lot of people are underestimating them right now. UNC had some rough times early on, but has gotten its act together and could go on a real run in the Big Dance.
Illinois! The Illini are finally healthy and playing together, with their best yet to come. Given current lack of poll respect, their RPI and strength of schedule is extremely high, meaning they will likely get a seventh seed, possibly playing an unlucky second seed in the second round. Bad news for whomever that is.
The Temple Owls must be the most dreaded team to draw on Selection Sunday. This is true especially for the teams out West that have never played Temple. Temple's matchup defense is suffocating, and unique. It has a tendency to lull the opponents to sleep and take them out of their element. Watch out for the Owls.
Syracuse is going to be a team to beat. Its coaching staff is very poised to be a competitor. They have been all the way before and know what it was like to lose the big one. This year they have a legitimate chance, and I do not think that they will screw it up again. Watch for them to dominate, not because of talent alone, but because of drive and determination.
Although I'm an Indiana fan I must give credit where credit is due. I think the squad Gene Keady has this year at Purdue is very scrappy. Led by 6-foot-6 swingman Mike Robinson and 6-8 Brian Cardinal, these guys clean the glass good enough to make Mr. Clean jealous. A lot of teams are going think that because the Boilermakers are a little small up front, that the 'makers are going to roll over and take a beating. But remember, Keady preaches the word of defense from on high and, come March, this scrappy team will send a couple teams home early.
LSU. If there is any team playing with more confidence right now (other than Cincinnati), I'd like to meet them. Sure, Stromile Swift will get his points, but they play defense every night and every player gets into the act. Defense is what wins games in the NCAA tournament. If you can't score, you can't win.
Definitely a team to watch is Texas. They are an athletic, well-coached team with the size to match anyone inside with Chris Mihm. If Gabe Muoneke brings his "A" game and keeps his temper in check, the Longhorns can play with anyone.
Siena. They'll probably come in as a 12th-seed and pull off the annual 12-over-5 upset. Why? They're a well-coached, mature and court-savvy team. Also, they're a streaky 3-point shooting team. Beware.
I would be scared as #$%#$% to have UNC in my bracket. The Tar Heels have the tools to win it all. I expect to see them go far in the tourney. Their real downfall is overall team speed. But if they can control game tempo ... lookout!
Missouri Tigers. Quin Synder has the Tigers eating nails. They have came back from deficits of 11 and 14 points on the road to Nebraska and Texas Tech, respectively. The Tigers are never out of any game with long-distance shooters such as Keyon Dooling, Clarence Gilbert, Brian Grawer, and Kareem Rush (who is averaging 20 points per game since he came back).
Hard to believe that North Carolina could be considered a sleeper, but that's exactly what the Heels are this year. A change in defensive tactics had the team in a mid-January slump, but lately, the unranked boys in blue are playing like national contenders.
Florida. They're young, they're talented, they're good. They need to fine tune the little things, such as turnovers and defensive press. But when they do, they are almost unstoppable. This is a team that will scare anyone who draws them.
Michigan State. They are tournament tested over the last two years (Final Four last year, Sweet 16 the year before). They have played the top teams all year: Arizona, Connecticut, North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Ohio State, Indiana, etc. They play well on neutral floors and have great leadership in coaching (Tom Izzo), and seniors (Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson).
UNLV Runnin' Rebels. This team is too hot right now not to be considered. With the inside-outside threat Kaspars Kambala, Dalron Johnson, Trevor Diggs, and Mark Dickel, the Rebels need to be considered. This team has definitely jelled at the right time.
I think the scariest team in NCAA right now is LSU. It's definitely the SURPRISE of the year! Right now, they are the 16th-ranked team in the nation. Who would've thought? It's amazing the way they're playing right now, not a month ago. I think they're coming up just at the right time. Pick them to win the SEC championship, and who knows if they are the Cinderella team this year and can go on and win it all!
Indiana. The Hoosiers have a strong backcourt presence with Lewis and Guyton. Guyton is one of the top five players in the nation and can score at will. Lewis is a scrapper and makes plays on both ends of the court. Their inside game is underrated as well. Plus, never underestimate The General. Maybe his coaching philosophy is outdated but for some reason this particular team responds to him.
Notre Dame, and one reason why: Troy Murphy. If you don't double him, he'll beat you. If you do and the Irish are hot from behind the 3-point line, then forget about it. Wins over Ohio State, UConn (twice) and St. John's. Also some well-played games, Syracuse, Arizona, and Maryland, that, with a few made shots, could have gone the other way. If they get in, the Irish will take one of the big boys down.
Virginia. This team is as quick as any team in the nation. UVA is starting to play some excellent defense and the three to four new freshmen are beginning to gain the confidence. UVA will potentially be No. 2 in the ACC and ready for anyone.
How about the Iowa State Cyclones? They have one of the best low post players in the country with Marcus Fizer and three guards that are tough to match up. Point guard Jamaal Tinsley knows when to give it to Fizer or three-point shooters Kantrail Horton and Michael Nurse.
Duke. With their depth, the Blue Devils are dangerous from all angles. Duke will be the team to beat come tournament time, as Arizona and Cincinnati will do their usual choke come tourney time. Stanford plays a weak schedule and hasn't been tested yet, but when the Cardinal meet up with the Blue Devils for the second time (a Blue Devils team that now has experience), they will choke just like Arizona and Cincy. No question.
I believe Tennessee is going to be the team not to draw in the tournament. The Vols have C.J. Black on the inside who, at times, can dominate anybody. Vincent Yarborough is the best small forward in the nation. Tony Harris can school anybody when he's "hot". They have the deepest bench and I don't think anyone will beat them.
I think Seton Hall is going to be a giant killer this year. After what they did to Syracuse in the Carrier Dome, I would hate to draw them. They can handle playing in a hostile environment and if they are shooting well from outside, they are tough to beat.
One team I would not want to play is Maryland. Look what they did last week, coming back from 17 down to beat NC State and then beating Duke at Cameron by 12. This is a young team coming together at the right time, and will be dangerous by March.
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