Spring Break
What No. 1 Seed Will Lose First In the NCAA Tourney?
Kevin Duffy and John Frascella
Issue date: 3/20/08 Section: Sports
North Carolina Tar Heels -- Kevin Duffy
All four No. 1 seeds could go down early, but North Carolina is the most likely to do so. The Tar Heels have been playing down to their competition in a weaker-than-usual ACC, are not 100 percent healthy, and drew by far the toughest region. They have been overrated by the media for much of the season. When you add up all those factors, a Final Four appearance for UNC isn't only not probable, it is far from possible.
Contact Kevin Duffy
at Kevin.R.Duffy@UConn.edu.
Memphis Tigers -- John Frascella
Of the No. 1 seeds, Memphis is most vulnerable to an upset prior to the Final Four. The Tigers clearly have the toughest draw, and would likely have to defeat the likes of Pittsburgh and Texas en route to San Antonio. Pittsburgh is riding high, coming off an impressive victory over Georgetown in the Big East Tournament championship, and Texas is the strongest No. 2 seed in the field. Their chances of making the final four are slim to none.
Contact John Frascella at John.Frascella@UConn.edu.
Kevin Duffy: Though they are the No. 1 overall seed, the North Carolina Tar Heels are the most susceptible top seed in the field. Carolina doesn't play defense and could barely get by middle-of-the-road ACC teams Virginia Tech and Clemson in its conference tournament. The 'Heels will get bounced quicker than Mark Madsen on "Dancing with the Stars."
John Frascella: While no No. 1 seed is invincible this year, the Memphis Tigers are the most likely to fall before the Final Four because they don't execute with consistency in the halfcourt. Memphis is an excellent fastbreak team, but in the NCAA Tournament games are often decided in the final two minutes - in a showdown of offensive sets.
Kevin: The Memphis Tigers are 33-1. They played the toughest non-conference schedule in America. So, yes, even though their style of play hasn't been historically successful in the tournament, they still blow out practically every team they face. North Carolina, on the other hand, wins many close games, and given the strength of its region, the Tar Heels are far more likely to get upset early on.
All four No. 1 seeds could go down early, but North Carolina is the most likely to do so. The Tar Heels have been playing down to their competition in a weaker-than-usual ACC, are not 100 percent healthy, and drew by far the toughest region. They have been overrated by the media for much of the season. When you add up all those factors, a Final Four appearance for UNC isn't only not probable, it is far from possible.
Contact Kevin Duffy
at Kevin.R.Duffy@UConn.edu.
Memphis Tigers -- John Frascella
Of the No. 1 seeds, Memphis is most vulnerable to an upset prior to the Final Four. The Tigers clearly have the toughest draw, and would likely have to defeat the likes of Pittsburgh and Texas en route to San Antonio. Pittsburgh is riding high, coming off an impressive victory over Georgetown in the Big East Tournament championship, and Texas is the strongest No. 2 seed in the field. Their chances of making the final four are slim to none.
Contact John Frascella at John.Frascella@UConn.edu.
Kevin Duffy: Though they are the No. 1 overall seed, the North Carolina Tar Heels are the most susceptible top seed in the field. Carolina doesn't play defense and could barely get by middle-of-the-road ACC teams Virginia Tech and Clemson in its conference tournament. The 'Heels will get bounced quicker than Mark Madsen on "Dancing with the Stars."
John Frascella: While no No. 1 seed is invincible this year, the Memphis Tigers are the most likely to fall before the Final Four because they don't execute with consistency in the halfcourt. Memphis is an excellent fastbreak team, but in the NCAA Tournament games are often decided in the final two minutes - in a showdown of offensive sets.
Kevin: The Memphis Tigers are 33-1. They played the toughest non-conference schedule in America. So, yes, even though their style of play hasn't been historically successful in the tournament, they still blow out practically every team they face. North Carolina, on the other hand, wins many close games, and given the strength of its region, the Tar Heels are far more likely to get upset early on.
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