Bracketology Update: Devils a 4 seed

by mlev811 on Jan 26, 2009 8:52 PM MST in ASU Basketball

Looks like Mr. Lunardi has posted his most recent version of bracketology. He places the Devils as a four seed with a first round matchup against Buffalo, out of the MAC. The Bulls are 0-1 against the AP top 25 with a loss to UCONN 68-64. The Bulls are 4-1 within the MAC, but they are no match for the fiery Sun Devils. Devils move on to round 2.

The second round places the Devils against the winner of the Oklahoma St./Syracuse game. I am going to go with the Orange in that matchup. 'Cuse brings a tough matchup for the Devils, with 5 players averaging double digit scoring. Syracuse is 4-3 against the AP Top 25, with wins over Florida, Kansas, Memphis, and Notre Dame. Their losses(2 of which happened this past week) were against Georgetown, Pitt, and Louisville. Having played 7 ranked teams, Syracuse won't be frightened by the Devils. However, Syracuse has a tougher schedule playing in the Big East and this will drain them come tourney time. I think the Devils win this one by less than 3 points.

On to the Sweet 16 we go. Bring on the Huskies of Connecticut, another Big East foe. The Huskies bring a tough matchup with 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet and 6-7 forward Jeff Adrien. The Devils only chance in this one is to be hitting from the outside as Pendergraph most likely would be shut down. The good news is that James Harden can win it from the outside. I never put every 1seed in the Final Four, so it is time for UConn to bow out gracefully.

The Elite 8 brings us another Big East team, Marquette who will be coming off an "upset" win against Michigan State. The Golden Eagles can put up a lot of points, but rarely do the Devils give up many. Our stingy D will hold us in this game, and James Harden will knock this one time mid-major school out of the tournament.

Final Four. Wake me up, surely I am dreaming. Its a battle between the sun and the color blue. That's right, Sun Devils and Blue Devils. Coach K vs. a familiar foe, Herb Sendek. Duke is currently the number 1 team in the nation, and I can see them playing in the National Championship game. The road ends here for the Sun Devils, and the James Harden ERA.

Until the next Lunardi update... GO DEVILS!

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Comments

This looks great! ASU is really getting some respect and it’s nice to feel like a lock in the tourney already, despite it still being January… how things have changed.

I would like to see a #3 next to our name by March, however.

House Of Sparky: An Arizona State Sun Devils blog

by Cory Williams on Jan 27, 2009 12:01 AM MST reply actions

Haha

I live for these extremely unrealistic homer predictions!

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 27, 2009 6:35 AM MST reply actions

Unrealistic?

Its March, and one thing I’ve learned about March is that anything can happen on any given day. Top players like Harden know how to play at a different level. We are a top 15 team. Teams like UConn and Syracuse have slipped up in the tournament in recent years. I see no reason why these should be seen as unrealistic. Perhaps overly optimistic, but not unrealistic.

by mlev811 on Jan 27, 2009 7:38 AM MST reply actions

Ok maybe unrealistic is the wrong word

I just don’t think predicting a final four appearance for ASU is anything but homer.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 27, 2009 9:42 AM MST up reply actions

I guess...

But if we finish strong, I don’t see it as very farfetched. And I am a homer, not exactly a neutral party here.

by mlev811 on Jan 27, 2009 1:27 PM MST reply actions

I think it is very far fetched

to expect a team that hasn’t been to the tourney in about 6 years to make a run all the way to the final four. Sure, it could happen. But, technically I’m eligible to play in the NBA — doesn’t mean it’s going to happen though.

But, seriously, I love reading your projections — they crack me up.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 27, 2009 3:20 PM MST up reply actions

I love reading them too. They are entertaining and he does a good job of keeping us abreast on Joe Lunardi’s musings. That said, they are kinda humorous as well due to the subject matter. I enjoy reading the justifications for the upset victories.

House Of Sparky: An Arizona State Sun Devils blog

by Cory Williams on Jan 27, 2009 3:58 PM MST up reply actions

I'm glad to provide entertainment

I look forward to writing them weekly (or however often Lunardi updates). I enjoy writing them and seeing how far I can put the Devils before even I think I am getting rediculous. Glad to get some feedback.

by mlev811 on Jan 27, 2009 9:39 PM MST reply actions