Aight, I'm not a player or coach, so I can peek ahead in the East region to you know who, UConn. Auburn seems mature and will not lower their guard against Yale, and then I think it's gonna be UAB. That'll be a tricky game, and I respect Andy Kennedy a ton. But UAB hasn't faced an elite top to bottom team remotely of an Auburn the way we're playing rignt now, so we advance to Boston. IMHO.
This is a tad rambling, as I captured parts of this UConn 'nutmegger" podcast (Rob Dauster, Top Dogs) breaking down the Huskies' East region. (FYI, 'nutmegger' is someone who lives in Connecticut, who knew).
The take on their big, Donovan Clingan, versus a possible AU 5 (Broome) and 4 (Jaylin) bigs BAD matchup for UConn is very interesting.
UConn key studs:
C 7’ 3” Donovan Clingan # 32
Cam Spencer # 12
G Tristen Newton # 2
Jalen Stewart # 3
“We finally saw the pinnacle of what Tristen Newton can do as a PG. Calming effect even as Danny Hurley was losing his mind.:
Marquette also had a terrific game plan against UConn. Their plan is that they went over every off ball screen against guys that were shooters. Tried to blow up UConn’s screens.
C Donovan Clingin # 32 is 7’ 3” with a high waist. He’s not built to get low and get leverage. He’s not gonna back Johni Broome down. Broome can get leverage on him and back him down more likely, and head fake or pivot to go up, or kick out to shooters.
On UConn’s bracket draw:
“FAU or Northwestern. It’s a slightly worrisome matchup. Both have very good lead guards. FAU’s Johnell Davis had a sensational performance in their win over Arizona early season in Vegas. Davise had 35 points, lot of assists. Northwestern’s Boo Buie is also very elite.”
“UConn would then face Auburn. Far more difficult matches against Auburn. I don’t trust their point guard play, with their smaller guards Donaldson and Holloway. But Auburn has an ELITE 5-man, who can get Donovan in foul trouble. Johni Broome is one of the best 5 men in the country. Jaylin Williams is one of the best offensive 4’s in college basketball! He is absolutely a guy that Bruce Pearl is gonna say, alright we’re gonna put you on an island and you’re gonna try to score against Alex Karaban and Jalen Stewart. Argument to be made that Auburn has the best frontline in the country.”
"There are a LOT of similarities between Auburn and UConn last season."
Iowa State is the tough one in the East. They can BLOW SH** UP defensively!
East is the toughest region of all.
Be careful thinking this is easy. We haven’t had a reigning national champion get past Sweet 16 since Duke in 2016!! Last year, reigning national champion Kansas 1-seed lost to Arky in 2nd round. Two years ago, reigning national champion Baylor 1-seed lost to UNC 2nd round.
Let's go AU!
E5
This is a tad rambling, as I captured parts of this UConn 'nutmegger" podcast (Rob Dauster, Top Dogs) breaking down the Huskies' East region. (FYI, 'nutmegger' is someone who lives in Connecticut, who knew).
The take on their big, Donovan Clingan, versus a possible AU 5 (Broome) and 4 (Jaylin) bigs BAD matchup for UConn is very interesting.
UConn key studs:
C 7’ 3” Donovan Clingan # 32
Cam Spencer # 12
G Tristen Newton # 2
Jalen Stewart # 3
“We finally saw the pinnacle of what Tristen Newton can do as a PG. Calming effect even as Danny Hurley was losing his mind.:
Marquette also had a terrific game plan against UConn. Their plan is that they went over every off ball screen against guys that were shooters. Tried to blow up UConn’s screens.
C Donovan Clingin # 32 is 7’ 3” with a high waist. He’s not built to get low and get leverage. He’s not gonna back Johni Broome down. Broome can get leverage on him and back him down more likely, and head fake or pivot to go up, or kick out to shooters.
On UConn’s bracket draw:
“FAU or Northwestern. It’s a slightly worrisome matchup. Both have very good lead guards. FAU’s Johnell Davis had a sensational performance in their win over Arizona early season in Vegas. Davise had 35 points, lot of assists. Northwestern’s Boo Buie is also very elite.”
“UConn would then face Auburn. Far more difficult matches against Auburn. I don’t trust their point guard play, with their smaller guards Donaldson and Holloway. But Auburn has an ELITE 5-man, who can get Donovan in foul trouble. Johni Broome is one of the best 5 men in the country. Jaylin Williams is one of the best offensive 4’s in college basketball! He is absolutely a guy that Bruce Pearl is gonna say, alright we’re gonna put you on an island and you’re gonna try to score against Alex Karaban and Jalen Stewart. Argument to be made that Auburn has the best frontline in the country.”
"There are a LOT of similarities between Auburn and UConn last season."
Iowa State is the tough one in the East. They can BLOW SH** UP defensively!
East is the toughest region of all.
Be careful thinking this is easy. We haven’t had a reigning national champion get past Sweet 16 since Duke in 2016!! Last year, reigning national champion Kansas 1-seed lost to Arky in 2nd round. Two years ago, reigning national champion Baylor 1-seed lost to UNC 2nd round.
Let's go AU!
E5
