Right off the top, the average hoop-head with a good memory might recall that was the year Rick Pitino coached Louisville to a title, later erased due to a sex scandal. Unless you’re a fan of one of these teams, it’s a lot tougher to name No. 4 seeds Michigan and Syracuse and No. 9 seed Wichita State, a Cinderella story lost to time.
Yet it’s much easier to picture the field five years prior in 2008, the last time all four No. 1 seeds reached the national semifinals. Four of the biggest brands in college basketball—Kansas, North Carolina, Memphis and UCLA—charged into San Antonio, bringing us Mario Chalmers’ all-time 3-pointer and producing a thrilling overtime win for Kansas over Memphis in the title game.
It’s often said that we want upsets and Cinderellas for the first week of the tournament, but by the Final Four, we prefer teams we recognize. I’ve rooted for the underdog all my life, and I’m bummed the number of upsets was so few this year.
But now we’ve reached an all-No. 1 seed Final Four, and amid all the hand-wringing for the future of the sport, I’d like to remind you that we’re in for a doozy of a final weekend.
Duke, Florida, Auburn and Houston earned their trips to San Antonio—coincidentally the same site as the last all-chalk Final Four—with some absolutely dominant play. Their combined record is 135-16, and that loss total includes three games played within that group in the regular season.
KenPom.com data goes back to 1997, and four of the 10 highest team ratings in the site’s history belong to these four teams. Yet the snark masters in the reply section of this post are focused on two things.
One is, “You can’t compare ratings from different years,” because the data only shows how strong a team is relative to an average opponent of that given year. But that’s kind of the point, guys; you’re free to get lost in debates over “Would 2023-24 UConn kill this Duke team,” but I’m not going to. For four teams to be this head and shoulders above the pack in their given season is impressive on its own merit.
The other complaint went, “Something, something, portal and NIL.” Overreact to a single-season sample size all you want, but I’ll hold off at least another year before declaring the death of my beloved college hoops. There’s no doubt the current portal arrangement, which needs major remedies, makes the average mid-major program weaker. But it’s a big leap from there to getting four No. 1 seeds in the Final Four every year.
By the way, most of the upperclassmen on these four teams have been with their respective programs for at least two years, especially the core Kelvin Sampson retained at Houston. Yeah, Duke signed a tremendous freshman class—same as it ever was. I’m reminded of a jealous Jim Boeheim going, “Pittsburgh bought a team, Wake Forest bought a team, Miami bought a team,” but retention and coaching still mattered here. No shortcuts.
Look, I wanted to see Yale or UC San Diego take down Goliath as much as anyone, but despite the lack of upsets, we’ve had some truly tremendous games. I’d rather watch Maryland beat the buzzer against Colorado State or Arkansas choke away a lead against Texas Tech than the Warriors and Rockets winning by 40 like last night.
You’re free to disagree if you didn’t like the journey it took to get here. But now that we’re here, we get to enjoy watching the four best teams in the sport go blow for blow to determine a national champion for the ages.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Bayern-Star ist Verkaufskandidat – Kim macht Zukunfts-Ansage
Kaum ein Bayern-Spieler wird derzeit so diskutiert und kritisiert wie er: Minjae Kim (28) wurde nach dem Aus in der Champions League gegen Inter Mailand infrage gestellt. Der Verteidiger sah im Rückspiel bei beiden Gegentreffern nicht gut aus. Allerdings hat Kim seit der Partie bei Eintracht Frankfurt (3:3) am 6. Oktober Probleme an der Achillessehne. Nun spricht er in SPORT BILD über seine Situation – und einen möglichen Abschied. „Ich habe seit sieben Monaten große Schmerzen“, sagte der Südkoreaner am Samstagnachmittag geknickt. Die letzten Wochen sind an ihm nicht spurlos vorbeigegangen. Auch beim 3:0 gegen Mainz musste er zur Pause runter. Wieder machte die Achillessehne Probleme. Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Kim gilt nun als Verkaufskandidat, mit dem die Bayern bei einem passenden Angebot Geld machen könnten: Er kam vor zwei Jahren für 50 Mio. Euro, aktuell liegt der Marktwert bei transfermarkt.de bei […]
Sormani aponta time que pode surpreender na Libertadores: “Dá para sonhar”
Taça da Libertadores - Divulgação/Conmebol Após três rodadas disputadas da fase de grupos, a Libertadores já começa a ver alguns times encaminhando a classificação, enquanto outros terão que brigar até o fim para avançar ao mata-mata. E os dois primeiros gerais são brasileiros. O Palmeiras é o único time com 100% de aproveitamento, com nove pontos conquistados. O segundo melhor da classificação geral é o São Paulo, que segue invicto na competição. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE No programa “Opinião Placar” de hoje, os comentaristas estavam falando sobre as pretensões do São Paulo na temporada e no que o time deveria priorizar. Então, ao falarem sobre focar no Brasileirão, o jornalista Fábio Sormani disse que o time tem chances de vencer a Libertadores, até pelo fraco nível dos adversários. “Eu acho que dá para ganhar a Libertadores. Olha o Flamengo como está na […]
Rizek indica técnico ‘conselheiro’ para Ancelotti na seleção brasileira: “Um gigante”
Rizek na apresentação do "Seleção Sportv" (Reprodução - YouTube) André Rizek acredita que Luiz Felipe Scolari pode ter papel ativo no processo de adaptação de Carlo Ancelotti no comando técnico da seleção brasileira, em caso de um eventual acerto do italiano com a CBF, e exaltou o experiente comandante do penta. Em post feito nas redes sociais, o apresentador do Sportv repercutiu uma entrevista dada por Felipão sobre abertura de portas para Ancelotti, e disse que o atual coordenador do Grêmio, poderia ser uma espécie de conselheiro do atual treinador do Real Madrid. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Parabéns ao Felipão. Ps: seria muito bom para o Ancelotti, se fechar mesmo, bater um longo papo com ele. Felipão é um gigante do nosso futebol – e da Seleção”, opinou Rizek. A fala de Felipão “Já treinei Kuwait e Portugal. Essa história de ‘reserva […]
UFL’s Samson Nacua punished for slapping fan: Brother of Rams star Puka Nacua suspended for one game
Getty Images Michigan Panthers receiver Samson Nacua has been suspended for one game by the UFL for slapping a fan following a 32-27 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks over the weekend. Following the game, Nacua got into a confrontation with a fan. It's not clear what instigated the incident, but the situation ended with Samson slapping the fan in the face. The entire altercation was caught on video. One day after the incident, the UFL announced that it would be opening an investigation into what sparked the confrontation. "The United Football League has suspended wide receiver Samson Nacua of the Michigan Panthers for one game without pay for an altercation with a spectator following the Panthers' game against the St. Louis Battlehawks at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis on Saturday, April 26," the league said in a statement. The 27-year-old […]
Rudiger banned for six games for throwing object at ref
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has been given a six-match ban for throwing an object at the referee during their Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona.Rudiger and team-mate Lucas Vazquez were shown red cards for their reaction to a foul given against Kylian Mbappe shortly before the final whistle. The Germany defender has been given a six-game suspension "for minor violence against the referees", while Vazquez has been handed a two-match ban for his protests against the officials.Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea said in his report that Rudiger was dismissed for "throwing an object from the technical area, which missed me".Rudiger successfully underwent surgery on a meniscus tear in his left knee on Tuesday and will begin "his recovery process shortly." The club did not give a timeline for his return but the recovery is expected to take several […]
Rudiger banned for six games for throwing object at ref
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has been given a six-match ban for throwing an object at the referee during their Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona.Rudiger and team-mate Lucas Vazquez were shown red cards for their reaction to a foul given against Kylian Mbappe shortly before the final whistle. The Germany defender has been given a six-game suspension "for minor violence against the referees", while Vazquez has been handed a two-match ban for his protests against the officials.Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea said in his report that Rudiger was dismissed for "throwing an object from the technical area, which missed me".Rudiger successfully underwent surgery on a meniscus tear in his left knee on Tuesday and will begin "his recovery process shortly." The club did not give a timeline for his return but the recovery is expected to take several […]
Related
Bayern-Star ist Verkaufskandidat – Kim macht Zukunfts-Ansage
Kaum ein Bayern-Spieler wird derzeit so diskutiert und kritisiert wie er: Minjae Kim (28) wurde nach dem Aus in der Champions League gegen Inter Mailand infrage gestellt. Der Verteidiger sah im Rückspiel bei beiden Gegentreffern nicht gut aus. Allerdings hat Kim seit der Partie bei Eintracht Frankfurt (3:3) am 6. Oktober Probleme an der Achillessehne. Nun spricht er in SPORT BILD über seine Situation – und einen möglichen Abschied. „Ich habe seit sieben Monaten große Schmerzen“, sagte der Südkoreaner am Samstagnachmittag geknickt. Die letzten Wochen sind an ihm nicht spurlos vorbeigegangen. Auch beim 3:0 gegen Mainz musste er zur Pause runter. Wieder machte die Achillessehne Probleme. Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Kim gilt nun als Verkaufskandidat, mit dem die Bayern bei einem passenden Angebot Geld machen könnten: Er kam vor zwei Jahren für 50 Mio. Euro, aktuell liegt der Marktwert bei transfermarkt.de bei […]
Sormani aponta time que pode surpreender na Libertadores: “Dá para sonhar”
Taça da Libertadores - Divulgação/Conmebol Após três rodadas disputadas da fase de grupos, a Libertadores já começa a ver alguns times encaminhando a classificação, enquanto outros terão que brigar até o fim para avançar ao mata-mata. E os dois primeiros gerais são brasileiros. O Palmeiras é o único time com 100% de aproveitamento, com nove pontos conquistados. O segundo melhor da classificação geral é o São Paulo, que segue invicto na competição. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE No programa “Opinião Placar” de hoje, os comentaristas estavam falando sobre as pretensões do São Paulo na temporada e no que o time deveria priorizar. Então, ao falarem sobre focar no Brasileirão, o jornalista Fábio Sormani disse que o time tem chances de vencer a Libertadores, até pelo fraco nível dos adversários. “Eu acho que dá para ganhar a Libertadores. Olha o Flamengo como está na […]
Rizek indica técnico ‘conselheiro’ para Ancelotti na seleção brasileira: “Um gigante”
Rizek na apresentação do "Seleção Sportv" (Reprodução - YouTube) André Rizek acredita que Luiz Felipe Scolari pode ter papel ativo no processo de adaptação de Carlo Ancelotti no comando técnico da seleção brasileira, em caso de um eventual acerto do italiano com a CBF, e exaltou o experiente comandante do penta. Em post feito nas redes sociais, o apresentador do Sportv repercutiu uma entrevista dada por Felipão sobre abertura de portas para Ancelotti, e disse que o atual coordenador do Grêmio, poderia ser uma espécie de conselheiro do atual treinador do Real Madrid. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Parabéns ao Felipão. Ps: seria muito bom para o Ancelotti, se fechar mesmo, bater um longo papo com ele. Felipão é um gigante do nosso futebol – e da Seleção”, opinou Rizek. A fala de Felipão “Já treinei Kuwait e Portugal. Essa história de ‘reserva […]
UFL’s Samson Nacua punished for slapping fan: Brother of Rams star Puka Nacua suspended for one game
Getty Images Michigan Panthers receiver Samson Nacua has been suspended for one game by the UFL for slapping a fan following a 32-27 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks over the weekend. Following the game, Nacua got into a confrontation with a fan. It's not clear what instigated the incident, but the situation ended with Samson slapping the fan in the face. The entire altercation was caught on video. One day after the incident, the UFL announced that it would be opening an investigation into what sparked the confrontation. "The United Football League has suspended wide receiver Samson Nacua of the Michigan Panthers for one game without pay for an altercation with a spectator following the Panthers' game against the St. Louis Battlehawks at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis on Saturday, April 26," the league said in a statement. The 27-year-old […]
Rudiger banned for six games for throwing object at ref
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has been given a six-match ban for throwing an object at the referee during their Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona.Rudiger and team-mate Lucas Vazquez were shown red cards for their reaction to a foul given against Kylian Mbappe shortly before the final whistle. The Germany defender has been given a six-game suspension "for minor violence against the referees", while Vazquez has been handed a two-match ban for his protests against the officials.Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea said in his report that Rudiger was dismissed for "throwing an object from the technical area, which missed me".Rudiger successfully underwent surgery on a meniscus tear in his left knee on Tuesday and will begin "his recovery process shortly." The club did not give a timeline for his return but the recovery is expected to take several […]
Rudiger banned for six games for throwing object at ref
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has been given a six-match ban for throwing an object at the referee during their Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona.Rudiger and team-mate Lucas Vazquez were shown red cards for their reaction to a foul given against Kylian Mbappe shortly before the final whistle. The Germany defender has been given a six-game suspension "for minor violence against the referees", while Vazquez has been handed a two-match ban for his protests against the officials.Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea said in his report that Rudiger was dismissed for "throwing an object from the technical area, which missed me".Rudiger successfully underwent surgery on a meniscus tear in his left knee on Tuesday and will begin "his recovery process shortly." The club did not give a timeline for his return but the recovery is expected to take several […]
Be the first to leave a comment