2009 NCAA Tournament: Upset Victims of the Future and 5 Teams that Will Fail
Louisville, Illinois, Memphis, Syracuse and Xavier Will Go Down Early
Louisville- Although the Cardinals are 16-2 in the best conference (Big East), they have been consistent in not showing up against weak opponents. Louisville has unexplainable losses to UNLV, Minnesota, Western Kentucky, and lost by 33 to 17-13 Notre Dame. They have been hot winning 8 of their last 10, and could win the Big East Tournament, but I still foresee an early exit in the big dance. Although they have beaten Pittsburgh, they have had trouble with physical teams (Notre Dame and UCONN). I expect the Cardinals to lose before the Elite 8.
Illinois- Illinois was not expected to do much before the season started. They finished the season in the top 25, and that is where the good news will stop for the Fighting Illini. Illinois has lost three of their last five including a 33 point performance against Penn State. Illinois will not win more than one NCAA Tournament game, if they even get out of the first round. Illinois has little experience with no senior starters, although their future is very bright, their stay at the big dance will be short.
Memphis- The Tigers have played three ranked teams the entire season. They are 1-2 against ranked teams, the one win coming against Gonzaga. This years Memphis Tigers are not battle tested, losing the majority of their scoring and defense from 2008. Memphis is simply a good team in a weak conference, and will not make the Elite 8.
Syracuse- It's probably not smart to bet against two Big East teams to lose early in the tournament, but I just don't see Syracuse making a run. The team is very athletic but lacks size. Guards Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf can change games, but they lack a dominant post player. The 23-8 Orange may lose in the first round to a scrappy mid-major with decent size (ex. Northern Iowa).
Xavier- Xavier cannot be trusted in the tournament. The Atlantic 10 has been unusually weak this season and the Musketeers have lost four of their last eight to Duquesne, Dayton, Charlotte, and Richmond. When I look for possible upset victims, the last 10 games is a tell-tale sign. This team has lost all momentum and after they lose to Dayton in the A10 Tourney, they will lose in the first or second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Published by Michael Luchies
Michael Luchies has a Bachelors of Science degree in Entrepreneurship from Badley University and is the current Manager of Membership Operations for the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization. Michael was C... View profile
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11 Comments
Post a Commentlunchies is a douche bagggggg and doesnt know anything about basketball. nerd
Anything else Memphis fans? Respect my take
"Luchies I wonder why I'm not reading this on ESPN.Com" Probably because I am not employed by ESPN
Luchies i wonder why im not reading this on espn.com.
Luchies get ready to eat your words about the tigers. The 2 losses you wrote about were at the beginning of the season while Cal was experimenting. Georgetown, the other loss, also beat UCONN before they started their freefall.
They may not make it as far but it won't be because of experience. These guys are tall, long-armed, athletic, and fast playing a stifling defense. Above all they are experienced. The drawbacks are that there is less consistent perimeter shooting and a little less depth than last year. Their FT shooting has actually improved to @ 69%...nothing great but definitely better than last yr's
If anything, up to this point, Evans has probably been a little more consistent than Rose.
These guys aren't going to be intimidated against any ACC, BE, Big 10 opponent. They match up well against most of those teams. I think it's Pitt's year (they're a beast) but would love to see a Tiger/Panther matchup.
It's no different than in years past, the Tigers chance of being upset are no better (or worse) than Carolina, Pitt, UConn, etc...
(sorry some of the my post cut off)
Experienced?
Antonio Anderson - 4 year starter, (that means 2 Elite 8's and NC game) Although not PG, he (along with CDR) was floor the leader of this team last year. When players got rattled, its AA that settles the team down.
Robert Dozier - 3 yr starter, and 18 min. per game as FR. (2 Elite 8's and NC game)
Shawn Taggert - 17 min per game last yr (but played more than that during tourney)
Doneal Mack - 14 and 12 min per game over last 2 yrs seeing considerable pt in Elite 8 and NC runs)
Each of these guys mentioned above, while not the "Big 3" came up big at times last year when Rose and Dorsey had freshman moments (yes, I know Dorsey was a Sr. last year but still was prone to freshman lapses) or CDR was off his game. Anderson lit it up for 27 points keeping the Tigers in the game against UAB but the media only remembers CDR's ft's to win the game.
Yes, there is some fall-off from last year's team but it is GREATLY exaggerated.
Experienced?
Antonio Anderson - 4 year starter, (that means 2 Elite 8's and NC game) Although not PG, he (along with CDR) was floor the leader of this team last year. When players got rattled, its AA that settles the team down.
Robert Dozier - 3 yr starter, and 18 min. per game as FR. (2 Elite 8's and NC game)
Shawn Taggert - 17 min per game last yr (but played more than that during tourney)
Doneal Mack - 14 and 12 min per game over last 2 yrs seeing considerable pt in Elite 8 and NC runs)
Each of these guys mentioned above, while not the "Big 3" came up big at times last year when Rose and Dorsey had freshman moments (yes, I know Dorsey was a Sr. last year but still was prone to freshman lapses) or CDR was off his game. Anderson lit it up for 27 points keeping the Tigers in the game against UAB but the media only remembers CDR's ft's to win the game.
Yes, there is some fall-off from last year's team but it is GREATLY exaggerated. They may not make it as far but it w
Tyreke is not Darius Washington. The Tigers have some good vets. This has not much merit at all. Most of the Big East will go home early. The last I saw one team wins games not a conference in the tournament. Memphis is a beast on defense.
That's why I love college basketball, the fans are passionate for their teams. Did they not lose most of their scoring from 2008 Robert? The point was that this team isn't battle tested. Dorsey is who I was referring to when I said they lost defense. I wonder how many sports articles you have read. You can't get too excited by over analyzing one paragraph that may look down on your team. You don't think that the loss of Rose, Douglas-Roberts, and Dorsey will hurt Memphis come Tourney time. But experienced players in big games mean nothing right? Like in 2005 when a freshman guard had a chance to send his team to the NCAA Tournament if he could make a few free throws...Yeah I'm talking about Darius Washington from your Memphis Tigers. Memphis is inexperienced and I strongly believe this will hurt them down the stretch.