The time has arrived. Pypeline contributors Sunil Karnik, Mike DeVoe, Shelton Moss, Brandon Buckman and Jason Gibbs had a round table discussion on the Championship game and who cuts down the nets.
Texas Tech vs Virginia
Jason:Texas Tech vs Virginia for all the marbles. Let’s go!
Mike: I must admit that I would’ve never guessed this match-up at the beginning of the year.
Jason: Predictably, the o/u is the lowest total in 20 years. A paltry 118. Needless to say, points will be at an ultra premium.
Mike: It’s been a minute since one of those super one and done teams has won a title. This year will only continue that streak.
Jason: It seems like it’s not really a recipe for success.
Mike: Definitely not. It’s okay to have 1-2 on your team, but it seems like the upperclassmen are the ones who come through in March/April. I wonder if ESPN has gotten Zion’s take on the championship game yet?
Jason: They actually did.
Mike: I am not surprised whatsoever.
Jason: Wahoos open up at -1.5. They’ve def been living a charmed life this tournament. Does their luck run out, a la Auburn? As Mike pointed out last time, Texas Tech held Gonzaga to their 3rd lowest total of the year. They held Buffalo, Michigan, & now Michigan St to their lowest totals of the year. All in the tourney. Just putting on an absolute defensive clinic.
Brandon: Any chance its meant for UVA to win? Like they shouldn’t have beaten Purdue or Auburn.
Mike: I am with you Brandon.
Jason: They are living a charmed life, for sure. Are they destined for glory or does their luck run out?
Mike: I just feel like Texas Tech has been shutting everyone down. There is no way Kihei Clark and Ty Jerome will be able to get much of an offense going.
Brandon: Don’t act like Virginia isn’t great at defense either.
Mike: Definitely true.
Brandon: 48-45 final, haha!
Mike: Double OT.
Jason: Hunter and Jerome carried UVA in the 2H vs Auburn. They’ll need a repeat performance to cut down the nets.
Brandon: Think of this…2002 Maryland squad was the last team to win without a shade of blue in their school colors. (Granted 2013 Louisville, But NCAA rules ya know…) Give me the Orange and Blue Virginia Cavaliers
Jason: The stat of the year.
Mike: I love it, haha!
Sunil: Virginia wins on a double dribble call vs Texas Tech.
Jason: Haha, I think twitter would melt down to say the least. The Hoos avg 34.7 rebs/game. The Red Raiders 34.1. So evenly matched all the way around.
Sunil: Virginia wins so I can say that their last loss was to FSU.
Brandon: I’m pumped! I love this match-up. Real basketball fans will enjoy it.
Jason: I think this could make the UConn/Butler final seem like a Golden St/Houston Rockets match-up.
Sunil: I just love watching Ty Jerome walk the ball up the court like his name is Penny Hardaway.
Mike: Same here, haha! I’m hoping Tariq Owen will be 100% for tomorrow. Didn’t he roll his ankle, then return last game?
Jason: Yes, Beard isn’t sure about his status. Although, that could be a bit of gamesmanship. Owens vs Diakite could be a crazy battle. Both have been solid this tourney.
Mike: First time national title for both head coaches right?
Shelton: Yes.
Sunil: So the Big 12 vs ACC was both the men’s and women’s Final. There has to be a stat out there to help predict if one conference wins.
Jason: Wow, didn’t know that.
Mike: Okay give me UVA 67-64 and Diakite will get the better of Owens. Luck has been on their side and sometimes that’s all it takes.
Jason: A “high scoring” affair, eh?
Sunil: I think the first to 50 wins. 55-52 UVA. Kyle Guy cuts down the nets and 24 hours later celebrates at his favorite wedding registry party.
Jason: At the beginning of the tourney, I’m on record as saying the winner of the Gonzaga/Texas Tech would cut down the nets. I’ll stick to that. 57-55 Red Raiders.
Brandon: Virginia 65-59.
Shelton: UVA is a team of destiny. Hoos win.
Jason: Kyle Guy MOP? Hahaha!
Sunil: Shelton’s mood above after watching Kyle Guy cut down the nets.
MOP & X-factor
Jason: Who is the MOP & who is the x-factor?
Sunil: Jack Salt will be the x-factor for Virginia.
Shelton: MOP: Jerome. X-factor: Diakite.
Mike: I second that. MOP: Jerome and the x-Factor: Diakite. Like I said, I think he gets the better of Owens.
Brandon: MOP: Kyle Guy with Diakite as the x-factor.
Jason: MOP: Mooney X-factor: Odiase Red Raiders National Champs. Wow.
