Right now who are your top 5 picks to win it all

[Smart]

Gonzaga doesn't even crack my top 15. Some nice early season wins but the win over Zona case while the Cats were shorthanded and the win over ISU was a game the Clones should've won. Both those teams are better now. I'm just not sure Gonzaga is, maybe I'm wrong but playing in the WCC jist cannot pr er pare you for March. Clearly a lot if this is matchups so anything is possible but I don't see it. I actually like SMU more than the Zags come tourney time if we are going mid major final 4 teams

Here's a list of the teams in the last decade with a higher KenPom AdjustedEM than Gonzaga this year:

2015 Kentucky
2015 Wisconsin
2008 Kansas

That's it.

They are absurdly good on a per-possession basis. I agree that they are untested against great teams, and it takes them down a level, but they are still 2-3 levels above every team not named Villanova.

 

[rmilia1]

Here's a list of the teams in the last decade with a higher KenPom AdjustedEM than Gonzaga this year:

2015 Kentucky
2015 Wisconsin
2008 Kansas

That's it.

They are absurdly good on a per-possession basis. I agree that they are untested against great teams, and it takes them down a level, but they are still 2-3 levels above every team not named Villanova.

My issue almost solely lies with the fact they just haven't played many close games and only a few since early December. Ive always thought a huge part of March was toughness. Maybe the Zags are tough. I just don't know. Maybe they will blow everyone out and won't need to worry about it

 

[mr.hockey4242]

My issue almost solely lies with the fact they just haven't played many close games and only a few since early December. Ive always thought a huge part of March was toughness. Maybe the Zags are tough. I just don't know. Maybe they will blow everyone out and won't need to worry about it

Yeah maybe. But I don't think it's really crucial to play close games. Sometimes it's better to just roll.

Have you seen their roster? They don't really have a weakness. Shooters, 7 footers, length, elite PG, elite defense, efficient offense.

 

[rmilia1]

Yeah maybe. But I don't think it's really crucial to play close games. Sometimes it's better to just roll.

Have you seen their roster? They don't really have a weakness. Shooters, 7 footers, length, elite PG, elite defense, efficient offense.

Yep I've watched them a lot. You can roll th ft ought the first few rounds but you're not winning 6 in a row my blowout. I don't know if they can win close games which b is better than knowing they can't. Still not enough for me to have them in the top 10+ teams to win it. Just my opinion though so what do I know lol?

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Dang, Akron screwed me!

 

[SteelersPride]

Here's a list of the teams in the last decade with a higher KenPom AdjustedEM than Gonzaga this year:

2015 Kentucky
2015 Wisconsin
2008 Kansas

That's it.

They are absurdly good on a per-possession basis. I agree that they are untested against great teams, and it takes them down a level, but they are still 2-3 levels above every team not named Villanova.

against wcc teams, play in the acc or pac that ken pom score changes

 

[Smart]

against wcc teams, play in the acc or pac that ken pom score changes

Not sure what you mean. KenPom is based on adjusted efficiency, so it already adjusts for quality of competition. Your EM should not be affected by your schedule, and there are literally millions of possessions to keep the margin of error low.

The last time a non-major conference team (by today's conferences) was ranked in the top 5 in KenPom was Jameer Nelson's St. Joseph team in 2004. What Gonzaga has done this year is unprecedented.

 

[Duckboy33]

1. Kansas
2. Villanova
3. Duke
4. North Carolina
5. Oregon

Take Oregon out now that Boucher is out.

 

[Lions=TeHsUcKs]

Zags always do well in the tourney but for some reason fizzle late. If they made more final fours I would have them in my top 5. Need to prove it with a deep run this year and not going out in the elite eight at best.

 

[Gopherfan84]

1. Nova
2. Arizona
3. Duke
4. Notre Dame
5. Iowa St

I also like Kansas, Oregon, Butler, Minnesota

Teams I give little to no chance include teams that can't score enough like WVU, Baylor, UVA, Teams that can't defend well enough like UCLA and teams who seem soft like UNC and Kentucky

I appreciate the sentiment, but without Springs we're out in the 1st Round.

This is a really hard year to pick favorites. Nobody seems to be a cut above the rest or without their detractors for the dance. Nova on paper is probably the top pick, but the last repeat champion was Florida in 2006-2007 and before that you go back to Duke in 1991-1992 who was the first repeat champion since UCLA's famous run under John Wooden.

Going with my gut (in other words pick these teams for early exits )

1. Arizona
2. Louisville
3. West Virginia
4. Wisconsin
5. SMU/Cincinnati winner

 

[Demonjoe93]

1. UNC
2. UCLA
3. Duke
4. Kansas
5. Villanova

 

[ralphiewvu]

1) UNC
2)Kentucky
3)UCLA
4)Baylor
5) WVU/zona

I'll personally give you a million dollars if Baylor or WVU win it all

I'll do one better and say a blow job.

 

[CatsTopPac]

I think this tourney is still Nova's to lose (as defending champ). I'll go KU, UNC, Duke, and UK.

 

[Ottermatic]

I think this tourney is still Nova's to lose (as defending champ). I'll go KU, UNC, Duke, and UK.

i have a feeling Nova's gonna have a tough road - teams that are a threat to repeat often get a gauntlet to overcome.

i don't think Villanova's that much better than the rest of the field to overcome their road and the fact that they'll have that target on their backs to give their opponents that extra kick.

 

[CatsTopPac]

i have a feeling Nova's gonna have a tough road - teams that are a threat to repeat often get a gauntlet to overcome.

i don't think Villanova's that much better than the rest of the field to overcome their road and the fact that they'll have that target on their backs to give their opponents that extra kick.

I agree. It will definitely work against them. But they have the experience and the talent, and that's valuable to me.

 

[sonnyblack65]

Vermont just punched their ticket!

N Mexico St and Rhode Island did as well, on a roll Hu

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

N Mexico St and Rhode Island did as well, on a roll Hu

Dream final four still a possibility!

 

[ralphiewvu]

Dream final four still a possibility!

Championship game possibilities as well!

 

[tducey]

UNC
Duke
Kentucky
Gonzaga
Villanova

 

[scoutyjones2]

1. Kansas
2. Villanova
3. Duke
4. North Carolina
5. Oregon

Two words, Chris Boucher