IOWA State has Niang out with a broken foot... yet they are still favored!!!! WTF???

[robbeduagain]

See i would think Baylor or Wisconsin or Florida would be a bad match up for UCONN
b/c of UCONN's lack of size and inability to run a half court offense and get the ball down low for post ups.

But given how UCONN has speed and loves to run and play at a fast tempo i would think Iowa State would be a dream matchup.

Iowa State ran Kansas out of the gym and ranks 6th nationally in scoring. I don't think UConn will want to get into a running game with them, but I might be wrong. Iowa State is favored in this game because they give a more consistent effort offensively. You are right about size match ups and I believe the line reflects the loss of Niang.

[Big Bear]

true.

i dont know i guess what i saw out of Napier the other night just impressed the hell out of me.

I havent seen a kid with a jump shot and swagger like that in the college scene in a long time.

i mean he is launching fade aways from way downtown like its nothing.

if this game is close at the end i'm confident he will take over.

and you gotta love a team with a strong bench and a team that can shoot free throws.

[No coincidences]

true.

i dont know i guess what i saw out of Napier the other night just impressed the hell out of me.

I havent seen a kid with a jump shot and swagger like that in the college scene in a long time.

i mean he is launching fade aways from way downtown like its nothing.

if this game is close at the end i'm confident he will take over.

and you gotta love a team with a strong bench and a team that can shoot free throws.

Have you seen Kane play?

[robbeduagain]

Have you seen Kane play?

I'm with you No coincidences. Big Bear I agree with you on Napier too. I think this will be maybe the most intriguing and entertaining game of the week

[stevenash]

ncaa tourney ya nitz

a) hungover
b)too early

[Big Bear]

Have you seen Kane play?

yeah he is good too.

i dont know who is going to guard him but they need to stick somebody on him who is not a scorer so they dont get in foul trouble again.

Baylor had a great game plan for McDermit hopefully UCONN can do something similar for Kane since Iowa State relies on Kane so much.

[jtoler]

Kansas also beat them twice. UCONN will definitely try and slow the game down.

[stevenash]

Kansas also beat them twice. UCONN will definitely try and slow the game down.

That's Napier's job.
Boatwright has one speed, Giffey better be hitting from the perimeter.

[jtoler]

But given how UCONN has speed and loves to run and play at a fast tempo i would think Iowa State would be a dream matchup.

65 possesions a game, below average tempo.

[stevenash]

Have you seen Kane play?

Two first team All American types on the floor, can't wait.

[robbeduagain]

Kansas also beat them twice. UCONN will definitely try and slow the game down.

Wasn't pointing out the Kansas game for any other reason than to prove that Iowa State want to run and is very good at doing that. I mean UConn lost twice to SMU, but none of that matters now. Both teams are playing very well right now.

[t-wizzle]

Napier plays the kind of game that you can't handicap. When you have a kid like that who just makes big plays, you always have a chance. As a whole, I don't think uconn quite stacks up here but that really doesn't matter when you have napier.

[robbeduagain]

Napier plays the kind of game that you can't handicap. When you have a kid like that who just makes big plays, you always have a chance. As a whole, I don't think uconn quite stacks up here but that really doesn't matter when you have napier.

T-wizzle, I agree. I think Kane is the same kind of player, but we are all just finding out about him.

[No coincidences]

Two first team All American types on the floor, can't wait.

Two best guards I've seen in the country this year.

[t-wizzle]

T-wizzle, I agree. I think Kane is the same kind of player, but we are all just finding out about him.

With all due respect, did you follow ncaa hoops this year? I'm surprised if people didn't already know about him.

[DOM_Toretto]

Have you seen Kane play?

Kane had a great game - 24pts off 50% fgp and 25% 3pp (and 10 reb, 7 ast, 7 t/o)

Napier had 25 pts off 70% fgp, 50% 3pt including some clutch, deeeep threes, 5 reb 3 ast 2 stl 4 t/o in 5 minutes less play. Shabazz sat first half after getting in foul trouble.

Both are huge to their team and probably the best two PGs in the nation. Can't wait for this matchup

[robbeduagain]

With all due respect, did you follow ncaa hoops this year? I'm surprised if people didn't already know about him.

Yes I do. What I meant was on the national stage. In meaningful games. This is his first year at Iowa State. He played well at Marshall, but never under the scrutiny he has received at Iowa State. Didn't clarify, sorry.

[t-wizzle]

Yes I do. What I meant was on the national stage. In meaningful games. This is his first year at Iowa State. He played well at Marshall, but never under the scrutiny he has received at Iowa State. Didn't clarify, sorry.

Ok Yea I thought you were speaking for yourself. I got ya now.

[SamDiamond]

true.

i dont know i guess what i saw out of Napier the other night just impressed the hell out of me.

I havent seen a kid with a jump shot and swagger like that in the college scene in a long time.

i mean he is launching fade aways from way downtown like its nothing.

if this game is close at the end i'm confident he will take over.

and you gotta love a team with a strong bench and a team that can shoot free throws.

So you saw one game, and from that you think UConn is going to win?

Seriously?

I'm just going to assume you haven't watched Iowa State much this year.

You say I never make picks-- I am calling it right now.

Iowa State is going to win. They are going to cause all kinds of match up problems for Connecticut.

Listen, St. FUKING Joe's had Connecticut beat. If you think St. Joe's gave them fits, just wait.

Iowa State is going to win this game.

[clermont]

Liking Iowa State here too

[SamDiamond]

Iowa State-- 1st in the country in assists/game, 6th in scoring, 40th in FG%.....

UConn....179th in assists/game, 144th in scoring, 142nd in FG%...

And Bear thinks these two teams play the game the same way.....

[Big Bear]

So you saw one game, and from that you think UConn is going to win?

Seriously?

I'm just going to assume you haven't watched Iowa State much this year.

You say I never make picks-- I am calling it right now.

Iowa State is going to win. They are going to cause all kinds of match up problems for Connecticut.

Listen, St. FUKING Joe's had Connecticut beat. If you think St. Joe's gave them fits, just wait.

Iowa State is going to win this game.

hey sam what up bruh

good to see ya.

I have watched Iowa State and UCONN both atleast 5 games.

Iowa State is a quality team i just think this injury is a big blow.

i like UCONN in this spot just b/c their confidence and momentum and i think MSG is the perfect venue. almost a homecourt advantage...

i also like UCONN's chances since Iowa State is not a great defensive team.

[SamDiamond]

hey sam what up bruh

good to see ya.

I have watched Iowa State and UCONN both atleast 5 games.

Iowa State is a quality team i just think this injury is a big blow.

i like UCONN in this spot just b/c their confidence and momentum and i think MSG is the perfect venue. almost a homecourt advantage...

i also like UCONN's chances since Iowa State is not a great defensive team.

I don't know Bear...

UConn's FG% defense is 39%, Iowa State's FG% is 41%.

That's it.

How about 3-point FG% defense?

Both exactly the same... 33%.

Oh, and Iowa State played the 12th most difficult schedule in the country----

Connecticut-- they played the 37th most difficult schedule.

One more nugget Bear-- UConn is ranked 244th is offensive rebounding. That won't get it done against Iowa State.

[violivei12]

Big UCONN fan here, watch all the games but rarely post. UCONN is small and not a physical team, they rely on the brilliance of Shabazz way too often. I truly think they are one of the most inconsistent teams,if Shabazz is on they can play with anyone but if he is off and they have to rely on the rest of the team they can lose to anyone as well. The injury certainly helps UCONN because it takes away some of ISUs advantage inside. I think this line is spot on. ISU is still the better team but UCONN has the best player, and as we saw with Kemba Walker, sometimes in the tournament its all about what team has the player with the biggest Onions...

[2daBank]

I don't know Bear...

UConn's FG% defense is 39%, Iowa State's FG% is 41%.

That's it.

How about 3-point FG% defense?

Both exactly the same... 33%.

Oh, and Iowa State played the 12th most difficult schedule in the country----

Connecticut-- they played the 37th most difficult schedule.

One more nugget Bear-- UConn is ranked 244th is offensive rebounding. That won't get it done against Iowa State.

On that same SOS note while I by no means think isu plays great d they play in a conf full of teams that can light it up (also played really good offensive teams out of conf) while ucon plays in a conf that allergic to offense..

[SamDiamond]

On that same SOS note while I by no means think isu plays great d they play in a conf full of teams that can light it up (also played really good offensive teams out of conf) while ucon plays in a conf that allergic to offense..

That's a really good point 2D.

Iowa State has basically the same defensive numbers as UConn (FG% D, 3PT FG% D)-----the difference is Iowa State played Baylor, Okie State, Kansas, KState,--- teams that can really move the ball up the court.

That's a huge difference when you are evaluating these teams...

[Timmah2483]

Napier is 6'1", Boatright 6'0"... Long 6'4" Kane 6'4" Advantage ISU (we all know the talent beyond the height)

As for the line.. ISU scored 85 in a tourney game without FTs at the end. It was a solid 85, and they avg. 83ppg with Niang. So why would Vegas consider Niang a huge loss when they did what they always do without him? statistically, ISU didnt change a thing.

[robbeduagain]

Napier is 6'1", Boatright 6'0"... Long 6'4" Kane 6'4" Advantage ISU (we all know the talent beyond the height)

As for the line.. ISU scored 85 in a tourney game without FTs at the end. It was a solid 85, and they avg. 83ppg with Niang. So why would Vegas consider Niang a huge loss when they did what they always do without him? statistically, ISU didnt change a thing.

Uhhh, maybe because UNC doesn't play any defense?

[Timmah2483]

Uhhh, maybe because UNC doesn't play any defense?

UNC had 8 blks 4 stls, and caused 14 TOs... UNC doesnt show up in the top 25 in defenses but they play defense. They beat MSU, they beat Louisville, they beat UK.. and if this was UNC/Uconn it would be UNC -1.

[Big Bear]

is onions slang for testicles?

[nyyanks773]

This is going to be a great game, regardless those people bringing up the St Joes game is irrelevant, you can say Nova blew out St Joes and UConn did the dirty to Nova. Also don't think boatright gets enough credit, remember Napier was out for a long part of that first half vs Nova. Don't know which side is right as of now, but remember this is a UConn team who beat Florida. Don't be surprised if Kevin Ollie comes up with a gameplan to deny this talented corn eating squad on the big stage at MSG

[Big Bear]

This is going to be a great game, regardless those people bringing up the St Joes game is irrelevant, you can say Nova blew out St Joes and UConn did the dirty to Nova. Also don't think boatright gets enough credit, remember Napier was out for a long part of that first half vs Nova. Don't know which side is right as of now, but remember this is a UConn team who beat Florida. Don't be surprised if Kevin Ollie comes up with a gameplan to deny this talented corn eating squad on the big stage at MSG

spot on.

Deandre Daniels is a baller too.

[Darkside Magick]

This is going to be a great game, regardless those people bringing up the St Joes game is irrelevant, you can say Nova blew out St Joes and UConn did the dirty to Nova. Also don't think boatright gets enough credit, remember Napier was out for a long part of that first half vs Nova. Don't know which side is right as of now, but remember this is a UConn team who beat Florida. Don't be surprised if Kevin Ollie comes up with a gameplan to deny this talented corn eating squad on the big stage at MSG

Good post esp.about Kevin Ollie.

[El Nino]

Thank you , Big Square!

[Big Bear]

Thank you , Big Square!

your welcome weather man. Fade at your own risk.