re: State vs UCONN

In 1974, NC State ended UCLA's run of national championships. NC State had a ridiculously tall center (Tommy Burleson), a ridiculously small point guard (Monte Towe), and an exceptional athlete (David Thompson). UCLA had even rolled NC State earlier in the year in a game in St Louis.

MSU has a tall center (Teaira McCowan), a tiny guard (Morgan William), and a really good athlete (Victoria Vivians).

I get it. We are playing UConn, but UCLA had won 8 straight national championships going into that semi-final game. The improbable happened.

This is sports. shite happens.

That's just ignorant. UCONN isn't as good as they were last year and state is better (and the game isn't being played in Bridgeport this year). UCONN's best 3 players went 1,2,3 in the WNBA draft last year. They are still really good and will probably beat us, but they beat a shitty Tulane team by 3 points this year. They've played other teams close as well that are about the same skill wise as MSU this year. It will be a decent game if state plays well. If state plays bad it still won't be a 60 point beat down.

The recipe for the upset is there.

The game is in Dallas. They are no where close to the state of Connecticut.

MSU fans will cheer for South Carolina hard in the first game. If SC wins, SC fans will return the favor in the second game + neutral fans will cheer for the upset. If State keeps it close, they will have the crowd on their side.

UConn's weakness is guard play has been inconsistent- and that is State's strength. UConn's strength is inside and State has a decent inside game - meaning, its not an obvious weakness.

UConn likes to come out and get up double digits early. If State can hang around in the first quarter and avoid being down 25-7 after the first quarter, then they can start to play their game.

UConn had a few tough games this year. But two are worth focusing on.

3 point win at Tulane (MSU won by 17)

UConn shot 38% for the game, Tulane shot 36%. Tulane had it down to 2 with the ball with 1:14 to go and just froze up. Tulane had two shots to tie in the last 10 seconds and missed. UConn missed 4 of 5 free throws down the stretch. The pressure of being in a close game got to them. Tulane just couldn't make it happen, but probably should have won that game.

2 point win at Florida State.

FSU is fairly comparable to MSU. MSU is probably a little better, but both teams spent most of the year in the top 10 nationally. FSU got up to #3, MSU to #2.

This game was different than the Tulane game as FSU led the entire first half. UConn cut it to two right before halftime, then dominated the third quarter for a six point lead headed into the fourth. UConn shot 50% for the game and FSU was around 36%. FSU had it down to 1 with the ball three times in the last minute. They missed a FT to tie and two jump shots to win in the last 13 seconds. The moment was too big for Florida State.

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Don't do it... Don't get my hopes up... I've been hurt too many times.

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Q: Why are the Danes the happiest people on earth?
A: They have the lowest expectations.

Just enjoy the ride.

against common opponents the win margin for uconn is only about 4 or 5 points greater. That being said I expect it be a relatively close game. Their bench isn't quite as deep as it has been and we play up tempo a good bit. Our only chance is if we get them in a little foul trouble. I think we have a chance but if I were setting the line i would have Uconn favored by 12. I feel like we stay within arm's reach all game, but it never looking like we are gonna win.

Dogs by 5

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The MSU ending to this is we beat them and then lose to SC again in the ship.

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That's about as State as it gets, right there.

It is a final four matchup of a 1 seed and a 2 seed, at it is a 21 point spread.


What a joke of a "sport"