Men's Bracketology: Would you take UConn or the field to win the tournament? The 2006-07 Florida Gators, defending national champions, reached Christmas that season with only two losses. They then embarked on a 17-game winning streak, leaving little doubt about the identity of the top team in the land. Perhaps a bit bored, the Gators dropped three of five to end the regular season before eviscerating their SEC and NCAA tournament competition (nine straight wins and an average victory margin of 16 points). If this all sounds a little like the 2023-24 UConn Huskies, it's with good reason. These Huskies didn't return five starters like the 2006-07 Gators -- no one does in today's game -- but UConn is following a similar script. And the Huskies have been just as dominant during their current 14-game winning streak, leaving little doubt they'll be favored to defend their NCAA title. You want Connecticut or the field next month? These Huskies are making it a very tough question. In Tuesday's game against #15 Creighton, UConn lost 66-85 to snap their 14-game winning streak.UConn Huskies 2023-24 Regular Season NCAAM Schedule - ESPN Joe Linardi has Florida currently as the #7 seed in the overall #1 UConn's East-bracket. In this bracket, Florida would have to get through 10-Nevada, 2-North Carolina & 3-Iowa St to potentially match up against 1-UConn in the East Regional Finals!
In an earlier fall 2023 article, UConn Coach Dan Hurley talks about rebuilding his team and chasing Florida's accomplishments of back to back national titles. UConn resets for a run at back-to-back national titles | fox61.com UConn Huskies 2023-24 Men's College Basketball Stats - ESPN UConn has five starters averaging in double figures along with a bench of 3-4 more players. This seems similar to Golden's Florida team: - 8 to 9 players deep - five players averaging in double figures - having a 7'2" center as a starter, etc. - UF averaging 84 ppg vs UConn: 81 ppg. Florida Gators 2023-24 Men's College Basketball Stats - ESPN I wonder how well these teams would match up should they meet this year.
One thing we know for sure, nobody will ever break UFs record of back to back with the same starting five. He'll, even the 6th man was the same.
What makes UConn tricky is their hard hedge defense (so much more physical than just about anyone out there) and Clingan, whose size and skill is pretty difficult to prepare for. They have pretty good shooting, but not a ton of depth, and Newton (who has been playing lights out) is really their only consistent playmaker. In a normal tourney field, they would probably be top 6-8 in the country. But this year, they are the best team I've seen.
UConn plays in a weak conference. They do have non-con wins over UNC and Gonzaga; however, they are not nearly as battle-tested as the Gators. I like our chances vs UConn if it comes down to it.
I grew up in South Florida was a huge dolphins fan the year they went undefeated. The only pro football team to ever accomplish that. Always have champagne on hand in case somebody gets close to pop it when they lose. Don’t want to see any college team go back to back so that we stay as the last back to back Championship team.
There are three legitimate Final Four contenders in the Big East in UConn, Marquette and Creighton, and several other good teams. I don’t think that the SEC has that many Final Four contenders. Except for games against Depaul and Georgetown, every single game is a fight for survival in the Big East.
According to kenpom & NCAA Net, the SEC is even deeper than the Big East. In the 2024 season, the SEC is considered as the 2nd or 3rd best conference behind #1 B12. The Big East is only considered as the 5th best conference behind #4 ACC. In comparison to UConn (#3 kp), Creighton (#12) and Marquette (#13), the SEC has the following contenders: Auburn (#5) Tennessee (#6) Alabama (#7) Kentucky (#17) Florida (#27) Miss St (#28) Many of these SEC contenders rankly highly (top 25/top 10) in offensive efficiency & defensive efficiency.
The SEC is outstanding this year. I responded to a post that said something along the line of St. John’s playing in a weak conference. According to Torvik, the Big East has 9 teams in the top 60, and the SEC has 7 teams in the top 60. Big East teams play each other twice each year; not so in the SEC. Kenpom also has 9 Big East teams in its top 60, and the SEC has 8 teams in its top 60. Also, IMO, UConn and Marquette have a better chance of going to the Final Four than any SEC team.
Match up with UConn would be epic. Beat them in 1994 in OT to advance to Elite Eight…. Still upset that in 2014, they beat us in Final Four …..one of my all time favorite Gator teams that started 4 FOUR YEAR guys. Started the game up 16-6…..then it got away.
Started well then just came apart. I'm still scratching my head. I heard Scotty was sick. Worst game of the year by that squad, IMO. Of course didn't UCONN's coach get the boot for cheating?
