2013 Midwest (Indy) Region Discussion (Louisville #1, Duke #2)

[I_am_a_Blue_Devil]

We have to win 6 games. No matter the draw, no matter the seed, we must win 6. A week ago, if we had a game scheduled against any team in our bracket, everyone of us would have picked Duke to win. And truth be told, even though there may be tons of top tough teams in the region, we only have to play 4 of them (if we win). 4 wins and in the final four. Duke is good, and they have shown it, now let's go win against Albany.

[Troublemaker]

The Midwest is the second preferred site for Duke (behind DC). That means, we are 6th overall. 1 and 2 seeds are placed on geography only.

Yep. Based on geo-preference, looks like 2-seeds went: 5. Miami 6. Duke 7. Georgetown 8. Ohio St

[throatybeard]

Calipari misses the tournament... some things money can't buy.

I don't know, I think I'd rather see Kentucky lose a play-in game.

[1 24 90]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...i/_/teamId/156

Here's a brief look at Creighton if they and Duke both win their first games.

[Monmouth77]

Siva at Louisville, Appling at Mich St

Appling is a guy we can handle. And we did ok against Louisville as I recall.

I am more worried about getting Bootsied by McDermott.

[sporthenry]

Wow. Could it be any harder?? Albany is easy, but that's it. Creighton is #15 on KenPom as a second round match-up; they've got to be the strongest 7 seed in the bracket. And then there's a good chance Michigan State, #10 on KenPom, will be waiting for us in the Sweet Sixteen. If we get past them, we're rewarded for our efforts with the overall top seeded team in the country, Louisville!

This is the reward that we get for a potential 1-seed, realized 2-seed team?!?

About as hard of a path to the Final Four as I could have imagined.

This is crazy talk. MSU is tough but it could have easily have been Florida who most would agree that it is harder. Could have also been Michigan. This isn't the best draw but it isn't terrible

As for the 2nd round match up, Mizzou 9 seed ranked at 18, Pittsburgh is an 8 seed and Kenpom has them at 7. Sure they could have gotten easier ones but it isn't that ridiculous.

[captmojo]

I don't know, I think I'd rather see Kentucky lose a play-in game.

Amen, brother. Amen. And, in a squeaker. A heartbreaker.

[Gthoma2a]

I'd kill to trade with OSU...

[CoachJ10]

Marcus Smart begs to differ

If we end up playing Oklahoma State...I think we will have a defense scheme for Smart as they are not a good 3 point shooting team at all, thus allowing us to sag a little more than we usual do.

[Ky-Dukie]

I will not be suprised if we play Cincinnati the second game.

[rifraf]

I'd kill to trade with OSU...

Not out West. Duke doesn't do so well when we fly out there.

[ynotme32]

If Duke can't beat Albany, Creighton/Cincinnati, then MSU to get to the Elite 8 then Duke isn't an elite team. Those teams are not world beaters. Good teams, yes, but Duke should handle them. Don't let the one MD game on Friday distort your view of Duke, if you knew before the season started Duke's path to the elite 8 was Albany, Creighton, and MSU, I am sure most of you would have gladly taken that.

[Bluedog]

I'd kill to trade with OSU...

Not out West. Duke doesn't do so well when we fly out there.

Particularly since they'll likely be getting Arizona or New Mexico, which won't be easy...obviously, going to be a unbalanced crowd.

[BlueDevilBrowns]

I hate to whine, but Duke should be a 1 seed over Indiana and/ or Gonzaga. We got screwed. Now on to Albany.

[Gthoma2a]

Why pick St. Louis?!

[SCMatt33]

Not out West. Duke doesn't do so well when we fly out there.

Yeah, I could see 2011 all over again, especially with the potential Sunday/Thursday turnaround with a cross country flight in between. The only two seed that I'd trade with would be Miami, but potentially going Friday-Friday is good with me.

[Gmadaduke]

Tough draw, but if we take it one game at a time, anything can happen.

For a little levity, I live in New York and the Louisville team stayed in a hotel across the street for the Big East tourney. Yesterday I went for a piece of pizza and the Louisville team was in this small pizza joint on 3rd Avenue. Let me tell you, these guys are hungry!!

[pamtar]

Total crap. We should have at least been in a weak East/South with Indiana or Kansas as the 1. Now that I think about it, the entire ACC got raped, save the U. UNC gets Kansas IF they beat Nova. NCSU gets Indiana if they beat Temple (who shouldn't be an issue for the Pack). And as for UMD, they should at least be in a play-in game.

UL's first 3 games should be a breeze. The ONLY team I see tripping them up is Mizzou. If we make to the 3rd round we likely face Izzo and Co. in Big # country. I'm totally unimpressed with the selection committee. Worst I've ever seen, honestly. Never seen a team No1 RPI, No1 SOS, with victories against 2 no 2 seeds AND the No1 seed in their own bracket get the last 2 seed well away from home. Not to mention we have the same record as UL.

[75Crazie]

First glance, there are no teams in this bracket that have top notch penetrating point guard that we could have difficulty with.

I like our matchups against Creighton, MSU...and it helps having already played and beaten the #1 seed in our draw.

Why does that help? Louisville is playing better now than then, Duke (in my opinion) is not playing as well now than then, and they were without Deng in that game. Add in some small measure of revenge, and I have a bad feeling about that game. That is, of course, assuming both teams get that far.

[throatybeard]

Who picked St. Louis?!

I did, just for fun. But they could totally take out Louisville.