Comments on: Top NCAA Performers of the 65 (née 64) Team Era

By: BruinsRule

BruinsRule — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:50:22 +0000

UConn did have some close calls, but the UCLA-UConn game was not one of them. UCLA led by more than 10 points for most of the 2nd half. UCLA was up, 94-80, with just 1:36 remaining until UConn’s Doron Sheffer (24 points) got hot and helped his team slice the lead to 100-94 with 17 seconds left. UConn got no closer.

By: Bruinfan

Bruinfan — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 03:01:26 +0000

Just an FYI:

Edneys last second layup came against Missouri in the 2nd round of the 95 tourney, not UConn.

Against UConn in the Regional final Edney hit a last second 40 foot 3 pointer at the halftime buzzer to change the complexion of the game, but it was only halftime.

By: rtmsf

rtmsf — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:56:42 +0000

Nogales:

Didn’t we mention AZ is the only school to have been invited all 23 times? We still think there’s too many up-and-down performances there, although clearly Arizona is an elite program.

Zack:

UConn has had some tough losses in the NCAA, that’s for sure. Still would have like to have seen a couple more F4s out of that program (06 for certain).

By: Zack

Zack — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:53:25 +0000

To follow up on Dan’s point, here are UConn’s close losses in the NCAA’s going back to 1990 that I can remember:

1990- Duke in OT on a buzzer-beater (Eventual NC)
1991- Duke in the Sweet 16 (Eventual NC)
1994- UCLA in the Elite 8 in Oakland (Eventual NC)
1995- Miss St. in the Sweet 16 in Lexington (SEC Country)
1996- Florida in the Sweet 16 in Miami (Eventual FF)
1998- UNC in the Elite 8 in GREENSBORO (Eventual FF)
2002- Maryland in the Elite 8 (Eventual NC)
2003- Texas in the Sweet 16 in San Antonio (Eventual FF)
2006- George F*@*ing Mason in Washington DC in the Elite 8 (Eventual FF)

By: NogalesJerry

NogalesJerry — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:10:59 +0000

Regarding Arizona:

One overlooked aspect of the figures that you’ve cited are the total number of games that all those schools have played during that era.

Arizona is certainly in some elite company.

With more games under their belts are only Duke, NC, KY and KS.

Try selling winning percentage to a 5 Star recruit sometime.

Games carried on National TV, with a good opportunity to snag an NC, and a much better than average opportunity to eventually play in NBA or professionally elsewhere is what they buy.

Bear Down!

By: SportsGorilla

SportsGorilla — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 19:18:15 +0000

That is interesting. keep it coming.

By: Dan Asta

Dan Asta — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:02:29 +0000

It’s no secret why UConn hasn’t made more final 4s. Look at who they lost to in the second round, eventual national champions Duke, UCLA, North Carolina, Maryland, etc.

UConn played very close games against these teams (Laettner’s last second shot, Edney’s last second layp, Maryland’s eking out a win) so, there it is. Count UConn’s Final 8s, and I think they’ve done just as well as anyone.

By: coolcobra

coolcobra — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 02:47:48 +0000

interesting and obviously well-researched article…ty. my biggest disagreement is with your suggestion that indiana was elite when knight left…they were getting bounced early and often over bobby’s last several years…making his unseemly exit inevitable.

By: Leslie Meyer

Leslie Meyer — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 23:06:00 +0000

I agree with Lee Warren. Louis knows his basketball!

By: Truzenzuzex

Truzenzuzex — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:57:27 +0000

Hey HotlantaBill: I bet this really busts your buttons. Full disclosure -- I AM a Kentucky fan. :-)

By: oneofmany

oneofmany — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:31:31 +0000

HotlantaBill – It never fails, does it? There always has to be somebody to jump on the anti-uk bandwagon. Don’t you guys ever get tired of picking on us? Probably not, since we, uk fans, never get tired of winning.

By: rtmsf

rtmsf — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:15:15 +0000

MdKiff:

Love the Play-In Game. Who doesn’t want to watch a FAMU-Northwestern St. game on Tuesday night to get ready for the real thing on Thursday? We’ve heard that same idea about 4 play-in games, and generally think it’s brilliant. The more play-in games the better if you ask us. :)

Hotlanta Bill:

Sorry we offended you with the BD comment. It’s all in good fun. We actually like BD a lot, and think he probably made the right decision. But it’s a little disingenuous to criticize us for a comment like that one while your email address is “noleseatpoop” isn’t it?

By: HotlantaBill

HotlantaBill — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:39:36 +0000

I think the comment about Bily Donovan is downright rude…any type of credibility you sought out is gone now

I wonder if this is a UK fan

By: Lee Warren

Lee Warren — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:39:09 +0000

I think this guy, Louis Frank, rocks!! Aparently he knows his stuff about this sport.

By: mdkiff

mdkiff — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:51:21 +0000

Amazing statistical analysis. I had no idea about Cuse never getting a #1 seed – and I’ve been a fan since I was a kid! One question for you – what do you think about the Play-In game? And as a parallel question – do you think that the field should and/or will expand from 65 (I have heard about a crazy idea for 4 play-in games, and of course some schools have advocated expanding to 128). Thanks for the great entry this week.