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Bilas picks Vermont over Hogs
Posted on 3/14/22 at 11:34 am
Posted on 3/14/22 at 11:34 am
quote:
No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 13 Vermont
Vermont dominated the America East, going 17-1 in league play, and can ball out. Ben Shungu is a former walk-on who averages 16 points and is the best 3-point shooter, hitting 64 3s and shooting over 42% from deep. Shungu is also the best defender, a two-time America East All-Defensive selection. Inside-outside threat Ryan Davis is a two-time America East Player of the Year who puts up over 17 points per game, and Davis and Finn Sullivan have both hit more than 40 threes and shoot over 40% from behind the arc. Davis also shoots over 66% from 2-point range. For Vermont to win, both Shungu and Davis need to play really well. Vermont is also third nationally in 2-point field goal percentage, hitting nearly 60% from inside the arc. This is an elite passing and cutting team that makes smart use of jump stops and shot fakes and can hurt you in a variety of ways.
The Razorbacks' attack starts with JD Notae, but it doesn't end there. Notae is a big-time scorer who can get his own shot. Jaylin Williams is one of the most underrated players in the country. Williams is savvy and tough enough to take numerous charges, he goes hard to the glass, and he can operate in and out of the post. Since Jan. 1, Williams has been averaging a double-double. Au'Diese Toney is the Razorbacks' leading offensive rebounder in SEC play, and he put up 22 points and 10 rebounds against LSU in the SEC tournament. The Arkansas offense gets your attention, but this is not a great perimeter-shooting team. It is defense that can set this team apart and take it to the second weekend.
Winner: Vermont. This is a huge upset, but one worth risking. Vermont is very good, and Arkansas doesn't shoot it well. Should Arkansas overwhelm Vermont with its athleticism? Yes. But, that is what upsets are about.
19
Posted on 3/14/22 at 11:35 am to trussthetruzz
This will be a sexy pick all week.
We will wear them out with our defense. I expect they'll get hot from 3pt land, but we will outlast them easily.
We will wear them out with our defense. I expect they'll get hot from 3pt land, but we will outlast them easily.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 11:35 am to trussthetruzz
Hogs guaranteed win now
Posted on 3/14/22 at 11:48 am to trussthetruzz
They also picked Colgate last year.
Anything can happen in basketball but I got us knocking out the Zags in the sweet 16
Anything can happen in basketball but I got us knocking out the Zags in the sweet 16
Posted on 3/14/22 at 11:51 am to YellaDog
I agree. Putting Arky on upset notice only helps them. Likely a win now
Posted on 3/14/22 at 11:52 am to trussthetruzz
Vermont is going to abuse Arkansas
Posted on 3/14/22 at 11:54 am to Henry Jones Jr
We will get past Vermont. UCONN likely takes us out.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 11:58 am to wmr
There is always at least one of these that the pundits gang up and pick the 12 or 13 seed that looks hot. But just like all else, it's a crapshoot.
Last year the pick was 12 Winthrop against 5 Villanova, and then Villanova won and rolled to the Sweet 16.
In 2019, big picks were 11 Arizona State over 6 Buffalo (Buffalo won easily) and Ja Morant's 12-seeded Murray State over 5 Marquette (and Murray State destroyed them).
You just never know.
I like Arkansas though. Absolutely brutal draw and brutal region. Which, go figure, is why they're one of my final four teams in one of my brackets
ETA:
It's all random. Most of the time it's the 12 seed with the best resume that gets ran out of the gym and then the 12 seed with the worst resume (like Oregon State last year) that has a cinderella run out of thin air
Last year the pick was 12 Winthrop against 5 Villanova, and then Villanova won and rolled to the Sweet 16.
In 2019, big picks were 11 Arizona State over 6 Buffalo (Buffalo won easily) and Ja Morant's 12-seeded Murray State over 5 Marquette (and Murray State destroyed them).
You just never know.
I like Arkansas though. Absolutely brutal draw and brutal region. Which, go figure, is why they're one of my final four teams in one of my brackets
ETA:
quote:I forgot about that one. That was another really popular upset pick of pundits.
They also picked Colgate last year.
It's all random. Most of the time it's the 12 seed with the best resume that gets ran out of the gym and then the 12 seed with the worst resume (like Oregon State last year) that has a cinderella run out of thin air
This post was edited on 3/14/22 at 12:01 pm
Posted on 3/14/22 at 11:59 am to King
this game makes me nervous. Before we laid an egg against the Aggies over the weekend I felt like we were a solid sweet 16 team... now I worry some of our old habits may be creeping back in... particularly taking bad shots and not defending the 3pt line.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 11:59 am to XWing atAliciousness
South Dakota State is the Cinderella imo.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 12:01 pm to trussthetruzz
I got Hogs losing to UConn in round 2, and UConn also knocking off Gonzaga
Posted on 3/14/22 at 12:03 pm to ElDawgHawg
3pt defense has become an issue for us lately. Both Tennessee and A&M shot lights out from 3pt land.
I felt like we didn't care about the TAMU game. I certainly didn't. Yeah, it'd be nice to win, but as proven by the Aggies getting left out, unless you win the tourney and get an automatic bid, the people in charge of picking the bracket do not care about conference tournaments.
They're meaningless, just like in baseball.
I felt like we didn't care about the TAMU game. I certainly didn't. Yeah, it'd be nice to win, but as proven by the Aggies getting left out, unless you win the tourney and get an automatic bid, the people in charge of picking the bracket do not care about conference tournaments.
They're meaningless, just like in baseball.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 12:04 pm to YellaDog
Yep sdsu can shoot and score, just couldnt catch up when bama got up double digits. They will give any 5 seed fits. Unfortunately they cant defend a paper bag but theyre not to be taken lightly
Posted on 3/14/22 at 12:05 pm to trussthetruzz
quote:
Williams is savvy and tough enough to take numerous charges,
Bitch arse strategy
Posted on 3/14/22 at 12:06 pm to ElDawgHawg
We got the Vermont game.
Our D just has to get in their face on the outside. This is a Vanover game on the inside. They are not athletic and play slow. They only go up to 6'8
Our D just has to get in their face on the outside. This is a Vanover game on the inside. They are not athletic and play slow. They only go up to 6'8
Posted on 3/14/22 at 12:12 pm to trussthetruzz
Vermont played one power 6 school all year and lost to a shitty 15-17 Maryland. I watched a couple Vermont games last night and our lenghth and athleticism will frick them up. Their tallest player is a 6'8 slow as shite white dude that makes Connor Vanover look athletic. Jaylin Williams might score 30+ points this game. They have two other slow white guys as starters. They do have one really good guard that could start for almost anyone. I suspect Toney will face guard him the entire game and shut him down. Muss isn't losing a game he has almost a week to prepare for.
This post was edited on 3/14/22 at 12:13 pm
Posted on 3/14/22 at 12:15 pm to hogSS
If the Sec gave the flopper of the year award... Its definitely between williams and pippen jr.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 12:16 pm to King
quote:
We will get past Vermont. UCONN likely takes us out.
Have any of you actually watched Connecticut, or are yall just looking at the name on the jersey. They are not that good. The big east is even more overrated than the big 10. I have New Mexico St taking them out in the first round. Arky better watch out for New Mexico St as well.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 12:17 pm to trussthetruzz
I've done a espn bracket for 15 years..I don't remember a single time that my bracket didn't beat Jay Bilas'.
Expert my arse..just because he played at Duke doesn't mean he's an authority on basketball
Expert my arse..just because he played at Duke doesn't mean he's an authority on basketball
Posted on 3/14/22 at 12:19 pm to trussthetruzz
Vermont will definitely be a popular upset pick. It's going to be an exciting matchup.
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