Texas

[Yooper Irishfan]

In the second round would make me nervous. That is a team that dominates the glass (outrebounded UK when they played) and plays solid defense. Not a great matchup for us. Not saying we wouldn't beat them, but it would not be easy.

Butler's not a bad team in their own right, but I will be rooting for them to beat Texas. Just get to the second weekend boys! Anything after that is gravy, particularly with UK being the Elite 8 matchup.

 

[hoopsstar12]

Like the great Ara always says, Take one university at a time.

 

[TurnoverMachine]

I didn't even pick up on the Texas potential in the round of 32 until just now when I filled out my bracket. I turned off my TV when they announced where ND was at in the bracket. The ESPiN "experts" ranked Texas as the one team no one in the 1-2-3 seed group will want to play. Of course it's not enough the committee blocks a path for ND to the Final Four with Kentucky in our region. Now one of the biggest/tallest teams in the nation awaits us. No wonder everyone hates Dook. They never have to play anyone tough the first several rounds. Must be nice.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

The alternative was the 3 seed out west in Jacksonville. At least they get to play the first pod closer to home. UT is a sketchy team, saw them twice this year and think they are way too inconsistent.

 

[PHJIndy]

IMO, Butler would be a tougher out for the Irish than Texas.

 

[IrishBlooded]

Originally posted by PHJIndy:
IMO, Butler would be a tougher out for the Irish than Texas.

This.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

Take all of the criticisms people have about Bray multiply the severity of each by 3 and you have Rick Barnes according to UT fans here.

 

[Yooper Irishfan]

Originally posted by SALittleGiant513:
Take all of the criticisms people have about Bray multiply the severity of each by 3 and you have Rick Barnes according to UT fans here.

This is very true. Barnes is not a good coach. They are a talented team that has underperformed all year, and those types of teams make me nervous in the tourney.

Butler makes me nervous because they are a program that has had success in the tourney the last few years, but I confess that I don't know much about them.

I guess the bottom line is just that I'm nervous! I so badly want this team to keep advancing because they are so fun to watch.

 

[Kelso86]

Saw Butler twice this year -- both against Xavier.

Xavier blow them out at home in mid February. Butler really did not look like they wanted to be there and Xavier could not miss.

Then, in the Big East tournament, they went into OT, with Xavier winning.

Overall, they are not bad, have some good shooters, and can play defense. Could give ND fits with their discipline.

 

[mbd11]

Texas was ranked in the top 10 at the beginning of the season, so they apparently have a lot of talent. Butler's a decent team as well. So neither would be an easy game.

Hopefully we can make the Elite Eight this year.

 

[Toby Smart]

The outcome of the second round game will only serve as an omen on who will win on September 5th.

 

[wicker]

I got us losing to Maryland. I'd love to be confident when I see all the experts putting ND in regional final but I can't bring myself to do it

 

[SALittleGiant513]

By us you mean Valpo?

 

[wicker]

Originally posted by SALittleGiant513:
By us you mean Valpo?

Misread the bracket and thought ND would get Terps. I mean they could...