March Madness Upsets and blowouts

[ZoomZoom]

UCLA wins Women's basketball championship by 28 points. Men's semi finals were one sided. I was hoping for more competitive games. It got me to wonder what causes a top team to all of a sudden lay an egg in one of the biggest games of the year. Did they run out of gas? Is it because they are late teens or early 20's young men and women? Just curious.

Wasn’t surprised. In the semifinals, both SC and UCONN had quarters where they scored 9 points.

CDS was obviously distracted, had to do the pre game dig at Geno.

[CajunVic]

it’s easy to see the difference between the two teams . . .

[MarlinMan3]

They used to say the optics/backgrounds in the larger arenas (that werent meant for basketball) compared to regular basketball gyms distracted many shooters....havent heard that in a while, but also havemt followed it much, not sure if that is still a problem or if it really was?

[Turbine]

They used to say the optics/backgrounds in the larger arenas (that werent meant for basketball) compared to regular basketball gyms distracted many shooters....havent heard that in a while, but also havemt followed it much, not sure if that is still a problem or if it really was?

The argument was if you practice five feet from a cinder block wall the open arena could be somewhat disorenting.

At some point (after enough career games) this argument would be less true.

Optimally (for home games) it probably would be best to practice where you play.

[zephyr]

They used to say the optics/backgrounds in the larger arenas (that werent meant for basketball) compared to regular basketball gyms distracted many shooters....havent heard that in a while, but also havemt followed it much, not sure if that is still a problem or if it really was?

The depth perception, lighting, rims are all different when you continuously change venues. Add into the equation nerves and yes, the environment can definitely throw you off a bit. Illinois looked to be a prime example of this. They had a ton of shots roll around the rim and take numerous bounces. They also shot 23% from 3pt when they were a better than average shooting team for the season.

[zephyr]

UCLA wins Women's basketball championship by 28 points. Men's semi finals were one sided. I was hoping for more competitive games. It got me to wonder what causes a top team to all of a sudden lay an egg in one of the biggest games of the year. Did they run out of gas? Is it because they are late teens or early 20's young men and women? Just curious.

Illinois lost by 9. It was a pretty good game. I'm not sure who you are referencing by "top team" laying an egg. Maybe its a couple of teams. I wouldn't necessarily say Arizona laid an egg. I just think they got punched in the mouth by the best team in the country in Michigan who played well from the whistle.

I can't speak much to the women's final four as I didn't watch it but it would seem odd for a South Carolina team to lose by 30 when they've consistently been one of the best teams in the country over the past half decade.

[HelmutVII]

In my mind a TOP TEAM makes it to the final 4.

[JAB]

In my mind a TOP TEAM makes it to the final 4.

You must have not watched a lot of final fours over the past 20 or so years.

[ZoomZoom]

On a basketball note worth mentioning but not a new thread, the much storied Tennessee Lady Vols presently have ZERO players on roster or inbound via the portal.

https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sport.../89145204007/#

[CajunVic]

On a basketball note worth mentioning but not a new thread, the much storied Tennessee Lady Vols presently have ZERO players on roster or inbound via the portal.

https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sport.../89145204007/#

They following the Louisiana Coach Des theories