If they do go, they will have played a 12, 13, 9, and an 11 or 7. They almost got a 16-seed, meaning their average seed faced could have been 12 or 13 and all double digit seeds unless Nevada got to the E8.

As it stands, they could face a 9 or higher, which would still more or less be all double digit seeds. On average they could face a 12 seed in each round or 11 if Nevada wins.

The only team I can think of that had it so easy was 1999 Duke, who faced a composite of 43 or an average of 11.75, the highest seed they faced being a 6.

I picked them to win it so I'm glad to see it.

I also picked KU to win it all. I never believed in UVa, and thought Calipari had finally gotten all that talent to start to play like a team, and at the right time of year. Winning the SEC was perhaps the toughest tournament to get through (Big East next, so Villanova is the other team I respect) and now the path is greased.

As a MWC guy, I like Nevada to win the next game before UK takes them out. And I think Gonzaga has a real shot at another final 4 (Michigan is not that impressive, would not shock me if either Florida State or Gonzaga beats them). Heck A&M could win that region. That is the most wide open.

One good think KU has going for them, if they get by Clemson, is both Duke and Syracuse play the same zone. So you can already plan the elite 8 game.

But yes, on balance everything is perfect for UK to make it to not just the final four, but they should be able to beat anyone coming out of the West Region to make the Championship

It’s the only region ever where the top 4 seeds didn’t make the Sweet 16. I’d be stunned if anyone ever had an easier road. If this bracket had a 12-over-5, it’d have no seeds 1-6 in the Sweet 16. Love it.

Who cares? Kentucky is playing by the rules. It’s not like they go out and win the NIT and claim the national championship.

(03-19-2018 08:24 PM)leofrog Wrote:  Who cares? Kentucky is playing by the rules. It’s not like they go out and win the NIT and claim the national championship.

I'm asking as a matter of trivia. Had UMBC survived, there'd have been no doubt.

2011 Kansas: Boston U (16), Illinois (9), Richmond (12), VCU (11).

Looks like we have a winner in a seperate category. Had they won, yep, there you are.

Now You see what We have to put up with. They are already practicing climbing the ladder to cut down the net.

(03-19-2018 09:35 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  Looks like we have a winner in a seperate category. Had they won, yep, there you are.

But it's still their path. They just crapped out at the last stop.

(03-19-2018 11:00 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(03-19-2018 09:35 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  Looks like we have a winner in a seperate category. Had they won, yep, there you are.

But it's still their path. They just crapped out at the last stop.

Agreed.

(03-19-2018 09:11 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  2011 Kansas: Boston U (16), Illinois (9), Richmond (12), VCU (11).

I had forgotten about that one. That was a huge missed opportunity for KU. Not as much as Virginia, but still.

The monster 1990 UNLV team that won it all beat Arkansas Little Rock (16), Ohio State (8), Ball State (12) and Loyola Marymount (11) to get to the Final Four.

They also get a break with Dean Wade either not playing or not 100%. If Kansas State has a healthy Dean Wade, I think they beat Kentucky. He was playing at a very high level before the injury and made 1st team all conference. They play very good defense but are somewhat limited offensively without him. He says that he will be ready to go, but stress fractures are typically more than a two week turnaround.

Kentucky also gets one and possibly two virtual home games in Atlanta.

from this Decade, I'd have to say 2010 Michigan St
12 New Mexico St
4 Maryland
9 Northern Iowa
6 Tennessee

If Kansas St or Kentucky win- they would have the easiest of the decade. And you could make the argument that you are making for Kentucky for all time with Kansas St as well- I mean 8/16/5/7 or 11? Especially if it's the 11 seed Loyola in the regional final.

(03-20-2018 07:42 AM)Hokie4Skins Wrote:  The monster 1990 UNLV team that won it all beat Arkansas Little Rock (16), Ohio State (8), Ball State (12) and Loyola Marymount (11) to get to the Final Four.

Granted, both that UNLV team along with the Kansas team noted above were #1 seeds, so the number of upsets that it would actually require to have such a low-seeded path isn't nearly as great. For a #5 seed like Kentucky to have this type of road is unprecedented because it required all 4 seeds above them to lose in the first weekend (which has never happened in any region before).

It requires 3 by now and the 2 or 3 seed in the Sweet 16. The most realistic seed to have a cakewalk to the Final Four, aside from a 1, is the 6 seed. They start off with an 11, could very realistically face a 14 in the round of 32, very realistically could face a 10 in the Sweet 16 and could face an 8, 9, 12 or 13 in the Elite 8. Assuming they face all double digit seeds, that's a seed total of 47 or 48. Even with an 8/9 in the Elite 8, it adds up to 43 or 44.

(03-20-2018 12:25 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(03-20-2018 07:42 AM)Hokie4Skins Wrote:  The monster 1990 UNLV team that won it all beat Arkansas Little Rock (16), Ohio State (8), Ball State (12) and Loyola Marymount (11) to get to the Final Four.

Granted, both that UNLV team along with the Kansas team noted above were #1 seeds, so the number of upsets that it would actually require to have such a low-seeded path isn't nearly as great. For a #5 seed like Kentucky to have this type of road is unprecedented because it required all 4 seeds above them to lose in the first weekend (which has never happened in any region before).

And again, imagine if UMBC had pulled through. It really would be unprecedented. Perhaps a 6 or 7 has faced double digit seeds all the way to the Elite 8 but to face a 12, 13 and 16? Then have the possibility of facing an 11 to boot.

(03-20-2018 09:03 AM)Hokie4Skins Wrote:  Kentucky also gets one and possibly two virtual home games in Atlanta.

They call it Catlanta !