(03-23-2021 08:03 PM)schmolik Wrote: I was just at the Villanova SB Nation blog VUHoops. You know those "Way Too Early" rankings they do before the season starts? Here's one done last March. Villanova was ranked #1! It did assume a player would come back even though he didn't.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket...25-2020-21
Hey, at least Villanova's still in the Sweet 16. It wasn't that stupid a pick. Actually the top 4 are still alive. But about #5 and #6....
Oh yes, very aware of that high projection. But, I think there was a bigger, national projection that also conferred with this anticipated "high-potential" Villanova team. They were in the hunt for the title. Even Vegas had them as one of the better picks.
And, they were projecting toward the top two lines before their late "collapse." YES, they fell to the five-line. But, they also still finished as regular season Big East champion (they had help from Creighton sputtering at the end). I STILL believe that even one win in the Big East Tournament probably had them moving up to the 4-line. Taking AQ
could have moved them to the 3, I suspect. The last few losses were head-scratchers, but there were enough good wins in there, too.
To be fair to this Villanova team...this isn't nearly as good as the 2018 squad that won the championship, but, when this team is "on," hitting their shots and having you fall into their traps and fouling antics, it can feel like you're seeing something near that championship squad.
I think Vegas sees it that way, too, with the upcoming Baylor match. 6.5 underdogs is generous if Villanova is "on." The "off" nights, which could be any of them...take Baylor with both hands, easily.
