Cowherd picks U Conn as one of his upsets

**Jeffwork** · 03-12-2012, 09:38 AM

At least he is terming it an upset. On Mike and Mike they talked only about U Conn meeting Kentucky, didn't even mention they had to beat us first. Hoiberg is going to have lots of motivational material.

**MartyFine** · 03-12-2012, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Jeffwork

At least he is terming it an upset. On Mike and Mike they talked only about U Conn meeting Kentucky, didn't even mention they had to beat us first. Hoiberg is going to have lots of motivational material.

Yeah, I heard Lunardi on the radio this morning talking about what a tough draw Kentucky got having to play UCONN in the second round.

**bostrem00** · 03-12-2012, 09:49 AM

Cool story bro! Last time I checked the game hasn't been played yet...

**Cardinal2001** · 03-12-2012, 09:52 AM

Umm, since they are the 9 seed, that would mean it's an upset, by definition. No surprise there.

This is as good of a year as any to start playing UConn in the NCAA tourny, so let's start it with a bang, m'kay?

**Jarrods79** · 03-12-2012, 09:53 AM

Not easy for UCONN players to focus on "one game at a time" when the media is pouring honey in your ears about the UCONN/Kentucky matchup.

**Chizit** · 03-12-2012, 09:58 AM

Good.

**Trice** · 03-12-2012, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Jeffwork

At least he is terming it an upset. On Mike and Mike they talked only about U Conn meeting Kentucky, didn't even mention they had to beat us first. Hoiberg is going to have lots of motivational material.

I get that everyone is searching for some sort of mental edge or reason to get motivated - as if extra motivation should even be necessary this time of year - but I guess I really don't think of it as much of a slap in the face that a lot of experts aren't choosing us.

I mean, this is an 8-9 game so by definition it's supposed to be a toss-up. The line can't be more than a couple of points either way. And these experts have almost certainly seen UConn play a lot more than ISU, plus the game is in an arena UConn is familiar with. And certainly the name on the jersey has something to do with it...if Providence were our opponent and had an identical resume to UConn, we might get stronger consideration.

The "experts" are paid to have opinions and make picks, and they made them. It's not like they're out there hammering on our program or bashing Iowa or something. They're just picking a winner, that's all.

**CynadoAlley** · 03-12-2012, 11:35 AM

I stopped watching ESPN a long time ago (other than games). The east-coast biased is ridiculous, BUT that's their job.. I come here for all of my real truthful un biased sporting news and talk

**sodakjoe** · 03-12-2012, 11:40 AM

I don't think it's really an "upset" until you get to the 6-11 game. The teams in the 7-10 range are so closely matched, it's a tossup. In fact, I believe the 9 seeds have an historically better record than the 8 seeds...or I could be making that up.

**driegner** · 03-12-2012, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by sodakjoe

I don't think it's really an "upset" until you get to the 6-11 game. The teams in the 7-10 range are so closely matched, it's a tossup. In fact, I believe the 9 seeds have an historically better record than the 8 seeds...or I could be making that up.

In first-round games from 2000-2011:

7 seeds have been upset 18 times (38%)
8 seeds have been upset 22 times (46%)

http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/...e-bracket.html (Engineering a Statistically Average Bracket)

**Daserop** · 03-12-2012, 11:53 AM

What would attract more viewers/listeners, talking about ISU vs. UCONN or UCONN vs. UK? I don't blame them for talking about UCONN vs. UK.

Like Cowherd always says "it is about the ratings"

Also, I for one am not confident our boys can pull off the W.

**VeloClone** · 03-12-2012, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by driegner

In first-round games from 2000-2011:

7 seeds have been upset 18 times (38%)
8 seeds have been upset 22 times (46%)

http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/...e-bracket.html (Engineering a Statistically Average Bracket)

This article puts the 8 and 9 seeds dead even since the tournament was expanded to 64 (or greater). I think this doesn't include last years' games.

NCAA Tournament Seed History

**NickTheGreat** · 03-12-2012, 12:29 PM

Talk about UConn/Kentucky all they want. I want UConn to be looking majorly forward to that game. Like we were against Texas

**driegner** · 03-12-2012, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by VeloClone

This article puts the 8 and 9 seeds dead even since the tournament was expanded to 64 (or greater). I think this doesn't include last years' games.

NCAA Tournament Seed History

46% in 12 years seems close enough to 50% to call it dead even.

I just didn't feel like doing more counting or I would have expanded the sample.