Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Virginia’s potential, conference tourneys and other big questions

By Tristan Freeman

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 09: Jack White #41 high fives Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils in front of Jay Huff #30 and Braxton Key #2 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 09: Jack White #41 high fives Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils in front of Jay Huff #30 and Braxton Key #2 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 27: Obi Toppin #1 of the Dayton Flyers is guarded by Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Kansas Jayhawks (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 27: Obi Toppin #1 of the Dayton Flyers is guarded by Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Kansas Jayhawks (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

3. Which teams are more likely to fare better in the NCAA Tournament;
Great offensive teams (Dayton, Iowa, BYU and Creighton) with suspect defense or great defensive units (WVU, UVA and FSU) who struggle to score?

Hunter

Given those seven examples, I like the offensive teams. But true defensive juggernauts such as Kansas and Baylor along with FSU certainly have higher upside than those four offensively dominant teams.

Walter-Warner

Great defensive teams are better built for the NCAA Tournament. Great defenses are built on fundamentals, while great offenses are usually built on good shot-making, a skill that can desert even the best of teams at inopportune times. Just ask last year’s national champions which side of the ball is more important to win it all.

Weidenburner

Using the representative teams, the offensive powerhouses are likely to have longer runs in the NCAA Tournament than are the defensive stalwarts. I value highly teams with an exceptional ability to get a bucket and just enough to get a stop, and recent history has shown that excellent offenses with good enough defenses (2018 Villanova, 2017 UNC, 2016 Villanova) have sustained success in the Tournament. Last year’s Virginia team excelled at both ends in terms of efficiency. Give me the good offenses.

Sinodhinos

My philosophy has always been, a good defense can stop a good offense, but nothing can prevent you from playing defense. Technically all you need is one basket to win if your defense is good enough. For a team to be successful on the defensive end, it is more about ‘buy-in” than skill. Players need to work hard on defense and have pride in not letting their opponent score on them.

This is a mindset that coaches can instill into their players in October. Another advantage of developing your team around defense is you get to play more guys. bench guys have a way better chance to bring hustle, than a jump shot. Reduced minutes for starters becomes very important when you have 2 games in 4 days.

Home/NCAA Basketball News