Why Texas will Win the National Championship

[preppyak]

That's right I said it. There is no hotter team right now than Texas, who after two tough back to back losses, have had one game that was even close (Nova), a win over Memphis (another top 5 team), and have dominated every opponent they have seen in the Big 12.

Here's why they can win it all.

1. By far the most important element to their team is Daniel Gibson. Earlier in the season when he was at the point, he had to focus too much on controlling game elements, and not on his superb passing (he had 7 assists the other night, he averages over 3). He also now has the freedom to score more easily (55 points in their last 2). With him, so goes the Texas team, and in the Duke and Tennessee game where he was at the point and struggled, so did Texas.

2. Brad Buckman is healthy. Like Christian Moody to Kansas last year, Buckman is the glue guy for that team. He makes the important blocks, the tough rebounds, etc., and in games where he played (he got hurt early at Duke, was still out for Tennessee), they haven't lost.

3. PJ Tucker and Lamarcus Aldrige can play with any other 4-5 combo in the nation. Taj Gray will prove this point tonight as he struggles against the Texas D (oh, btw, the #1 Defense in the nation according to kenpom.com). THe combo of these two and Buckman makes it difficult for big men to score effective inside.

4. They will be well rested. The Big 12 sucks, I shouldn't have to tell you that this year. After this game tonight, they have no true challenges until conference tourney time, whihc I see them waltzing through. Buckman will be fully healed, as will Abrams, and they will be refreshed, whereas Duke and UConn have tough games still in this season and then they have to struggle through their conference tourneys (both longer and more grueling than the Big 12 in even the best year for the Big 12).

So, here are my two predictions.
1.Oklahoma doesn't break 60 points tonight, as they lose by no less than 15.
2. Texas beats UConn in the championship game in a tight match-up (they are two scarily similiar teams that would make for an amazing game), where Gibson hits the game winning three to give Texas the two biggest championships in college sports this year.

[looksthatkillbn]

And I can't really much argue with that...

I may not agree, but that's too logical. The only argument I can really refute is that they have to get hot at the right time, not just now. I think a team with a great medium player, guy that's 6'10" and athletic, might be able to give them a little trouble though. And also...who the hell knows what's going to happen in March.

[preppyak]

And also...who the hell knows what's going to happen in March.
Yeah, and all it takes is for them to have one letdown or injury (Buckman likes to get hurt for some reason).

The thing is, I had it being Duke winning it all, but their last few games showed me that they can be beaten even if they aren't having an off night. And, I think UConn is the most athletic of the top 5, but they seem to squander it in off court issues and sometimes general disinterest in the game.

I just had this thought a few nights ago, and figured I'd run with it. Plus, the more support I get for Texas, the better it looks when KU upsets them in a few weeks (ha, now I'm just dreaming)

[looksthatkillbn]

Plus, the more support I get for Texas, the better it looks when KU upsets them in a few weeks (ha, now I'm just dreaming)

Sorry, just wanted to see that written again. I think January is the time when teams really show their colors, early in conference play when they have to prove whether they're going to be for real or not. it just seems like top 10 teams like Villanova (have maybe been the laziest team in history), Louisville (no one is too sure about these guys), UConn (I'm still not sold), Florida (with the two this past week), Washington (who I just can't figure out), and Pittsburgh (today?) seem lazy at times and don't want to play. That attitude, even if improved, doesn't leave, and will probably show up in the 2nd round in March.

Which is why my Final Four right now is Duke, Memphis, Michigan State, and your Texas team.

[preppyak]

Which is why my Final Four right now is Duke, Memphis, Michigan State, and your Texas team.
Yeah, my final four has UConn instead of Memphis, but I def agree on Michigan State. For me, UConn is just too talented to not pull it together. If they miss the final four, its just sad (barring an injury of course)

haha, and yeah, i should put that quote in my sig, so I can look stupid when KU gets, as someone said a few days back, rompastomped

[looksthatkillbn]

Yeah, my final four has UConn instead of Memphis, but I def agree on Michigan State.

haha, and yeah, i should put that quote in my sig, so I can look stupid when KU gets, as someone said a few days back, rompastomped

rompastomped, really. i won't ask questions.

but that would definitely be in my sig, because if it would for some miraculous unfathomable reason happen, you are a genius. You could go off for weeks.

If you aren't watching, I'm sure it's on near you, grab the Michigan State - Penn State game, Penn State has been up all day but Michigan State came back in the second. Penn State is holding as well as possible, but Shannon Brown is absolutely going off. Just hit a three to get to 26 points.

[Caleb Cattivera]

someone forgot the duke blowout.

[G-Unit]

final fourcast? espn?

[preppyak]

someone forgot the duke blowout.
no I didn't. Daniel Gibson now at the 2 adds 10 points to Texas' score, and Buckman averages 10ish. Combine that with harder D on shelden williams and you have a 3-4 point ball game. I'm well aware of their previous mistakes, but they are significantly better now.

[G-Unit]

texas is hot, and i think you make a valid argument, except texas wont have an answer to jj redick.

[looksthatkillbn]

texas is hot, and i think you make a valid argument, except texas wont have an answer to jj redick.

But Memphis does...anyone that can hold JJ Redick scoreless for an entire half is a god in my book.

[LeftWideOpen]

But Memphis does...anyone that can hold JJ Redick scoreless for an entire half is a god in my book.

i think memphis is too young/inexperienced to win the championship this year. Besides Carney, it's a bunch of kids who have no experience. Overall, Memphis is too weak on D and not physical enough to beat teams like Duke and Texas, especially in March.

[Johnny_G]

U-c-o-n-n

[Jason Tate]

That's right I said it. There is no hotter team right now than Texas, who after two tough back to back losses, have had one game that was even close (Nova), a win over Memphis (another top 5 team), and have dominated every opponent they have seen in the Big 12.

Here's why they can win it all.

1. By far the most important element to their team is Daniel Gibson. Earlier in the season when he was at the point, he had to focus too much on controlling game elements, and not on his superb passing (he had 7 assists the other night, he averages over 3). He also now has the freedom to score more easily (55 points in their last 2). With him, so goes the Texas team, and in the Duke and Tennessee game where he was at the point and struggled, so did Texas.

2. Brad Buckman is healthy. Like Christian Moody to Kansas last year, Buckman is the glue guy for that team. He makes the important blocks, the tough rebounds, etc., and in games where he played (he got hurt early at Duke, was still out for Tennessee), they haven't lost.

3. PJ Tucker and Lamarcus Aldrige can play with any other 4-5 combo in the nation. Taj Gray will prove this point tonight as he struggles against the Texas D (oh, btw, the #1 Defense in the nation according to kenpom.com). THe combo of these two and Buckman makes it difficult for big men to score effective inside.

4. They will be well rested. The Big 12 sucks, I shouldn't have to tell you that this year. After this game tonight, they have no true challenges until conference tourney time, whihc I see them waltzing through. Buckman will be fully healed, as will Abrams, and they will be refreshed, whereas Duke and UConn have tough games still in this season and then they have to struggle through their conference tourneys (both longer and more grueling than the Big 12 in even the best year for the Big 12).

So, here are my two predictions.
1.Oklahoma doesn't break 60 points tonight, as they lose by no less than 15.
2. Texas beats UConn in the championship game in a tight match-up (they are two scarily similiar teams that would make for an amazing game), where Gibson hits the game winning three to give Texas the two biggest championships in college sports this year.
No way. They won't make it to the elite 8. They remind me of Wake Forest last year, they won't play as a team.

[G-Unit]

But Memphis does...anyone that can hold JJ Redick scoreless for an entire half is a god in my book.

duke beat memphis

[Jason Tate]

Texas loses tonight. I'm calling it.

[LeftWideOpen]

Texas loses tonight. I'm calling it.

nah, i say Texas by about 10 or 15. 70-55, something like that. This isnt the same team who got crushed by Duke.

I hate Texas too, but I gotta give it up to them for the way they've turned it around.

[Jason Tate]

nah, i say Texas by about 10 or 15. 70-55, something like that. This isnt the same team who got crushed by Duke.

I hate Texas too, but I gotta give it up to them for the way they've turned it around.
What do I get if I'm right? It's the same team - I don't buy the "new team" bullshit - they are this year's Wake Forest (talented, but will never do what they could).

[LeftWideOpen]

What do I get if I'm right? It's the same team - I don't buy the "new team" bullshit - they are this year's Wake Forest (talented, but will never do what they could).

They've won nine in a row since the Tennesee game. They beat Villanova and Memphis during that span. They werent exactly chumps before the Duke game either, going 8-0 with wins over West Virginia and Iowa (top 25 teams). They played like shit in two back-to-back games, against the #1 team in the nation and a team in Tennesee who's the #20 team in the nation. They are as good as anybody, especially when they play D (which they neglected to do against Duke and Tennesee) and are healthy (like they are now).

Duke's still the team to beat in my mind, but Texas is making a strong case for #2.

[Jason Tate]

They've won nine in a row since the Tennesee game. They beat Villanova and Memphis during that span. They werent exactly chumps before the Duke game either, going 8-0 with wins over West Virginia and Iowa (top 25 teams). They played like shit in two back-to-back games, against the #1 team in the nation and a team in Tennesee who's the #20 team in the nation. They are as good as anybody, especially when they play D (which they neglected to do against Duke and Tennesee) and are healthy (like they are now).

Duke's still the team to beat in my mind, but Texas is making a strong case for #2.
They're down at half! 1/2 way to me going, "told you sooooo.."

Texas isn't a top 5 team, I don't think they're top 10.

[Scott Weber]

Texas is super overrated.

[somethingyellow]

i hope OU beats texas

[G-Unit]

texas lookin real good on 9-0 winning streak

[G-Unit]

ms america at the game, lookin much better than texas

[Jason Tate]

They've won nine in a row since the Tennesee game. They beat Villanova and Memphis during that span. They werent exactly chumps before the Duke game either, going 8-0 with wins over West Virginia and Iowa (top 25 teams). They played like shit in two back-to-back games, against the #1 team in the nation and a team in Tennesee who's the #20 team in the nation. They are as good as anybody, especially when they play D (which they neglected to do against Duke and Tennesee) and are healthy (like they are now).

Duke's still the team to beat in my mind, but Texas is making a strong case for #2.
The words are ... I TOLD YOU SO. That's all. Texas is not a top 10 team, game/set/match.

[Johnny_G]

The words are ... I TOLD YOU SO. That's all. Texas is not a top 10 team, game/set/match.
Not a top 10 team? I mean nice prediction and all, but Texas is clearly a top 10 team. Wins over WVU, Nova, Memphis, and Iowa...They just lost to a solid team on the road. It happens in CBB. Your precious Blue Devils dropped one to a solid team on the road and will probably drop one or two more... Doesn't boot them out of the top 10 now does it...?

[G-Unit]

Not a top 10 team? I mean nice prediction and all, but Texas is clearly a top 10 team. Wins over WVU, Nova, Memphis, and Iowa...They just lost to a solid team on the road. It happens in CBB. Your precious Blue Devils dropped one to a solid team on the road and will probably drop one or two more... Doesn't boot them out of the top 10 now does it...?

they lost ONE close game on the road after winning 17 straight. so no it doesnt boot them out of the top 10.

[Jason Tate]

Not a top 10 team? I mean nice prediction and all, but Texas is clearly a top 10 team. Wins over WVU, Nova, Memphis, and Iowa...They just lost to a solid team on the road. It happens in CBB. Your precious Blue Devils dropped one to a solid team on the road and will probably drop one or two more... Doesn't boot them out of the top 10 now does it...?
No, because I look at how teams play - and Texas just isn't very good. I watch all the games, and I know where their weaknesses are - they're not a top 10 team, I'd put them at 12 or 13.

[Drew Beringer]

Haha pwned.

[Johnny_G]

No, because I look at how teams play - and Texas just isn't very good. I watch all the games, and I know where their weaknesses are - they're not a top 10 team, I'd put them at 12 or 13.

That's hilarious. Go Blue.

[steve-0]

Texas is a solid team. That Aldridge guy was really impressive tonight I thought.

But thank goodness for Mr Everett and Gray. boomer Sooner. Hopefully OU can start to play up to their potential now like they did tonight

[LeftWideOpen]

Texas is a solid team. That Aldridge guy was really impressive tonight I thought.

But thank goodness for Mr Everett and Gray. boomer Sooner. Hopefully OU can start to play up to their potential now like they did tonight

OU looked great tonight. They've rarely looked good and thats why I expected Texas to handle them. Obviously didnt happen, but last time I checked there was 10 teams in a top 10, and anyone will have a hard time finding ten teams that are better. They certainly didnt look like a national-champ caliber team tonight though.

[G-Unit]

LeftWideOpen youre school is next. three days. going to the game?

[Jason Tate]

LeftWideOpen youre school is next. three days. going to the game?
That's going to be a good game. Duke by 6. It's going to be a close one.

[Jason Tate]

Video highlights (including the baseline fadeaway that was fucking amazing to watch) from today's Duke game can be seen here: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=260280150 - make sure you have inmotion or whatever installed.

God he's good.

[bigmike]

That's right I said it. There is no hotter team right now than Texas, who after two tough back to back losses, have had one game that was even close (Nova), a win over Memphis (another top 5 team), and have dominated every opponent they have seen in the Big 12.

Here's why they can win it all.

1. By far the most important element to their team is Daniel Gibson. Earlier in the season when he was at the point, he had to focus too much on controlling game elements, and not on his superb passing (he had 7 assists the other night, he averages over 3). He also now has the freedom to score more easily (55 points in their last 2). With him, so goes the Texas team, and in the Duke and Tennessee game where he was at the point and struggled, so did Texas.

2. Brad Buckman is healthy. Like Christian Moody to Kansas last year, Buckman is the glue guy for that team. He makes the important blocks, the tough rebounds, etc., and in games where he played (he got hurt early at Duke, was still out for Tennessee), they haven't lost.

3. PJ Tucker and Lamarcus Aldrige can play with any other 4-5 combo in the nation. Taj Gray will prove this point tonight as he struggles against the Texas D (oh, btw, the #1 Defense in the nation according to kenpom.com). THe combo of these two and Buckman makes it difficult for big men to score effective inside.

4. They will be well rested. The Big 12 sucks, I shouldn't have to tell you that this year. After this game tonight, they have no true challenges until conference tourney time, whihc I see them waltzing through. Buckman will be fully healed, as will Abrams, and they will be refreshed, whereas Duke and UConn have tough games still in this season and then they have to struggle through their conference tourneys (both longer and more grueling than the Big 12 in even the best year for the Big 12).

So, here are my two predictions.
1.Oklahoma doesn't break 60 points tonight, as they lose by no less than 15.
2. Texas beats UConn in the championship game in a tight match-up (they are two scarily similiar teams that would make for an amazing game), where Gibson hits the game winning three to give Texas the two biggest championships in college sports this year.

something i found interesting: UTEP a.k.a. Texas Western is the only Texas based school to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. interesting, I think.

[LeftWideOpen]

That's going to be a good game. Duke by 6. It's going to be a close one.

yep. i think we'll give duke matchup problems, but somebody is going to need to step up and guard Reddick. If we can contain him, we have a great chance because I think we can stop everyone else. We need to shoot better though, especially at the line. Williams vs Smith will be a great matchup down low.

[preppyak]

something i found interesting: UTEP a.k.a. Texas Western is the only Texas based school to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. interesting, I think.
Yeah, well after the way they played last night, it might stay that way, but I am still sticking with Texas as my Nat'l championship team. I have to hold some hope that the Big 12 isn't that BAD this year.

Daniel Gibson didn't shoot very well, and Brad Buckman seemed to only be limited help, and those were two of my keys. I still think they have it in them to make a run from here on out, but now they will be doing it as a 2 or 3 seed.