Potential Opponent Matchups-Pt 1

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03-15-2025, 07:28 PM
StarkVegasSteve

Potential Opponent Matchups-Pt 1

Well it seems like we are pretty locked into the last 8 seed or a 9 seed at this point so a good time to start to see who we're going to be matched up with on that 8 line.

UCONN- They're the 800 lb gorilla in the room. Danny Hurley is on a hell of a run and don't let their seed fool you. This is still a REALLY GOOD basketball team. They have shooters in Solo Ball and Alex Karaban. Aidan Mahaney off the bench is also a 3 point shooter. They'll also bring Taris Reed Jr and Jaylin Stewart off the bench. Murphy, Harris, and Jones are going to have to give us good run to match the UCONN bench And we haven't even mentioned the freshman Liam McNeeley. He's a streaky shooter and if his shots aren't falling the other parts of his game struggle. If I have to guess how we'll match up with them it'll be:

Hassan Diara-Hubbard
Solo Ball-Kugel
Alex Karaban-Matthews
Liam McNeeley-Melendez
Samson Johnson-Nwoko

New Mexico- A really solid mid major program. Richard Pitino has had a definite bounce back with them after he flamed out at Minnesota. Donovan Dent is the straw that stirs the drink for them. You stop him and you can beat them. Nelly Junior Joseph could give us problems. If Nwoko is on him then we could have issues. I think we see Matthews on him. He's had multiple games where he's shot 7+ threes and has had games where he's made 7+ threes. They're height could give us some issues. They start 3 guys 6'9 and over. They play about 10 guys but the bench guys all get between 6-8 minutes so not much run. Here's my projected matchup with them:

Donovan Dent-Hubbard
Tru Washington-Kugel
Nelly Junior Joseph-Matthews
Mustapha Amzil-Nwoko
Filip Borovicannin-Melendez

Marquette-HAVOC. Shaka is known for it and they play it. They are going to press us for 40 minutes and we are going to have to make a concerted effort to get Hubbard the ball. They will deny, hedge and double every ball screen, and face guard him at all times. This is one of the matchups I do not want. I don't know that we're equipped to get in a defensive slugfest with them. Kam Jones is their guy. Kugel or Melendez will have to stay right on him. He also will not come out so Harris is going to have to come to play when he comes in off the bench. They're also a 3 pt heavy team and that's a definite worry. They basically play 7, Royce Parham and Zaide Lowery are their two guys off the bench. How I'd match up with them:

Kam Jones-Kugel
Ben Gold-Nwoko
David Joplin-Matthews
Chase Ross-Melendez
Stevie Mitchell-Hubbard

I'll break down the other teams tomorrow morning and will deep dive once the bracket is announced.
03-15-2025, 09:16 PM
BigDawg81

Creighton
UCONN
Marquette
They seem to be the top 3 opponents
03-15-2025, 09:57 PM
StarkVegasSteve

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg81

Creighton
UCONN
Marquette
They seem to be the top 3 opponents

Creighton is in the morning breakdown. I still think there is a shot they get the last 7. Kalkbrenner will cause us all sorts of issues.
03-16-2025, 08:38 AM
R2Dawg

Against those teams, we're one and done.
03-16-2025, 08:58 AM
msudawg1200

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2Dawg

Against those teams, we're one and done.

If we can't defend the three(which we've proven we can't), nor consistently shoot the three(which we've proven we can't) we are one and done against anyone we play, but many State fans are happy just to "dance".
03-16-2025, 09:10 AM
Pancho

^^^^^
03-16-2025, 09:21 AM
Cooterpoot

Honestly, we all know this team is one and done regardless
03-16-2025, 09:59 AM
msstate7

Quote:

Originally Posted by msudawg1200

If we can't defend the three(which we've proven we can't), nor consistently shoot the three(which we've proven we can't) we are one and done against anyone we play, but many State fans are happy just to "dance".

To win games in the tourney, you have to get there first, and Jans has proven to do it better than anyone we've had so far (100%). Not sure what beeching about losing in the first round does to change it. If we wanna change it, then let's get some better players, and that's on us.
03-16-2025, 10:07 AM
KentuckyDawg13

Good analysis yet you still have Kugel as a starter

After his 0'fer, he should be on the bench.
03-16-2025, 10:09 AM
Coursesuper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooterpoot

Honestly, we all know this team is one and done regardless

Yep.
03-16-2025, 10:17 AM
CaptainObvious

Quote:

Originally Posted by msstate7

To win games in the tourney, you have to get there first, and Jans has proven to do it better than anyone we've had so far (100%). Not sure what beeching about losing in the first round does to change it. If we wanna change it, then let's get some better players, and "that's on us."

It's gonna be a NO for me dog.

Somebody with M-O-N-E-Y is going to have to lead that charge! 80% of our fan base doesn't have expendable cash to spend on Prima Dona's!
03-16-2025, 10:20 AM
msstate7

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

It's gonna be a NO for me dog.

Somebody with M-O-N-E-Y is going to have to lead that charge! 80% of our fan base doesn't have expendable cash to spend on Prima Dona's!

And that's fine, but money is what wins these days.
03-16-2025, 12:50 PM
EdwardDrayton

Quote:

Originally Posted by msstate7

And that's fine, but money is what wins these days.

Unfortunately and sadly true. Jans is not a great coach but he's good enough. We need better players and they cost money.
03-16-2025, 12:53 PM
EdwardDrayton

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooterpoot

Honestly, we all know this team is one and done regardless

Not necessarily so. We are capable of winning one. We just never know which flavor of us we're going to get on a given day.
03-16-2025, 02:17 PM
Tater

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdwardDrayton

Not necessarily so. We are capable of winning one. We just never know which flavor of us we're going to get on a given day.

State fans have two choices this week.

One - spend all week bitter, jaded, and going in with a miserable mindset. When we lose, maybe it'll sting less because you expected it, but it would still suck.

Two - be excited we're making a 3rd straight tournament and have the tools / potential to beat anyone in the country if we play at our peak. Only need six wins to glory. If we lose, then you're maybe a modicum more upset than if you went in expecting it.

Why spend all week being miserable? I don't get it. Call me toxic positivity idc, **** you - we made the tourney and by God I think we'll win at least one.