Most of the time the best team wins, especially playing in the familiar surroundings. The Ducks were and are the better overall team. They have good size, quickness, very athletic ball handlers and good shooters. Yes we would have a better chance in Starkville, but regardless if they shoot 13-26 from the 3 point line and shoot free throws like they do it would still be close and IFFY.

IF there is one mistake I see in what Vic does in Coaching doesn't have to do with x and o's, it's his style of hard nose practice that drives players but can also wear them down physically and mentally. I do think the last 4 or 5 minutes we looked a little physically leg weary and mentally fatigued. We had a few lapses that we don't usually do. You can disagree as I may be wrong, but I know from experience one time in my Coaching basketball, I had a team that should have won State. I look back on it now many years later realizing I over worked my team and down the stretch we couldn't make plays that we normally did. I think we had a little lack of depth needed, losing Bibby was huge from outside shooting and depth. We only had one or two players coming off the bench who helped with scoring.
I think Vic will look to be more athletic in the future, will get better or more shooters and we will be more athletic like UConn, ND and the Ducks. We were the "power team" in the Elite 8, Baylor is close but they may be a little more athletic.
We played a ton of basketball starting with going overseas and the many hard nose practices.
It's Vic's style, I don't really have any problems with the way he Coaches and disciplines the players and teams. He is one of the top Coaches in America.