"Pessimism at its finest. We gripe all day for BYU to get some outside respect in any form and for any sport, and then we mock them for it when they finally do." - Kyle Lord Kenny
The Selection Committee showed no favors to BYU by giving them a 7 seed when most people thought that BYU's national ranking would guarantee them a five or at worst a six seed. Interestingly it seems that experts everywhere are determined to make up for the Selection Committee's disrespect. Just look what has been published during the last few days….
Joe Lunardi predicts BYU will reach the Elite Eight
The records might not reflect it, but I believe BYU is the best team in the west in 2010. Now I know that they lost twice to New Mexico, and I know that Cal won the Pac 10 outright, but this BYU team when its healthy and Jimmer Freddette is operating on all cylinders, is very very good offensively. I like them to take care of Florida fairly easily in the first round and then pull even more upsets over Kansas State and Pitt to reach the elite eight. Yes that is how much respect I have for Freddette and the cougars. That first round jinx is over. BYU is in this tournament to stay all the way to the elite eight.
Eamonn Brenan predicts that BYU will reach the Elite Eight
OK, so this part of the limb might be a little further out than I wanted to tread, but the more I think about it, the more I think it's entirely possible the Cougars can top Kansas State in the second round in Oklahoma City. This BYU team is much better than their No. 7 seed. For starters the Cougars are a potent offensive team with a bonafide star inJimmer Fredette and an experienced sidekick in Jonathan Tavernari. To be sure, Kansas State will be something of a shock to the Cougars' system -- BYU hasn't played a team that defends quite as thoroughly as the Wildcats. Nor do most teams attempt to run with BYU's uptempo offense. The Wildcats, who average 71.1 possessions per game, will be more than happy to go up and down with BYU for 40 minutes. In an up-and-down game like that, either of these teams can get especially hot and pull away before the other has a chance to regroup. Why can't that team be the Cougars?
- Eamonn Brennan ESPN
Stuart Mandell Predicts that BYU will reach the Final Four:
BYU. The committee gifted the Cougars an opportunity to play in their Salt Lake City backyard if they can get through the first two rounds. Banged-up Syracuse is vulnerable to begin with, and Fredette can break down its zone.
-Stewart Mandell Sports Illustrated
Jeff Call predicts that Cougars will reach the Elite Eight (and maybe the Final Four)
But I'm predicting BYU will end the streak, and the curse, Thursday in Oklahoma City. The Cougars are due in a big way. And I like their chances against No. 2 seed Kansas State in the second round. From there, BYU would return to Salt Lake City for the Regional semifinals at a place the Cougars are very familiar with -- Energy Solutions Arena. If they get that far, anything could happen? Maybe a last-second coast-to-coast dash by Jimmer Fredette in the waning seconds against Syracuse?
-Jeff Call Deseret News
Gregg Doyel Predicts that BYU will reach the Elite Eight
“Here’s Syracuse, a No. 1 seed from New York, facing the potential of a game in the regional final against BYU in Salt Lake City. That’s what my bracket says will happen actually.”
BooyaSports predicts that BYU will win one game
As for myself. I think that Florida has no business even being in this tournament and we will beat them. However, I just don’t think we can beat K-State. They do exactly what we do, only better. I think their guards will be able to shut down Freddette and Haws and I just don’t have enough faith in Tavernari and Hartstock to carry the team. Let’s hope I’m wrong.
Yeah, I think the Cougs will beat Florida and that will be nice, but they will lose to Kansas State. I'll bet BYU will be up at halftime vs. KSU and then choke in the 2nd half and lose by 8 points. That is the BYU way.
ReplyDeleteI dont like the "Lord" part in my name. That was a Nick Kenny deal. Call me the "Blogsmith," even though I haven't technically blogged in 18 months. *shrug*
ReplyDeleteAside from that, I'm surprised so many people have BYU out this far. Maybe I might re-think my strategy if I can be sufficiently convinced that BYU's offense can outmatch a good defense, or a team that has better size advantage.