Mark Packer had an interesting point

Basketball Insider Board
#1

He has an afternoon show on ESPN Radio and also a show on the ACC Network. Big into basketball.

And today he said because of COVID, and the resulting number of fifth-year seniors, fourth-year juniors, even sixth-year seniors, the tournament experience level is going to be higher than ever before. And thus he thinks a 6-11 matchup, even a 5-12, may be darn near a tossup, and there are likely to be a lot of upsets.

So I looked at the Vermont roster. Nine seniors, fifth year players or grad transfers. They fit Mark’s description. Still think we can beat them (we have a few of that kind of player ourselves) but it narrows the gap a bit.

#2

I think we saw some of that this past Hog Football season. However, a slow, unathletic 20 year old, is also a 24 year old. Maturity and experience is important. But, doing 8th grade 10 times doesn’t make a great player.

#3

Just saw on ESPN that the number 11 seed has one more upset games than any other against their seed.

#4

Slow and unathletic can’t be fixed. Inexperienced and rattled by the bright lights can be fixed. That was his point.

#5

Yes, but it’s not like the learn from playing in the Elite 8 just last season, or from slogging through the SEC schedule this season. I gotta think that really helps Williams and JD.

2 Likes
#6

It is a valid point. Was Baylor not a veteran team last year? Guess I could look it up but not going to.

So where is the list of 64 teams and their classes?

#7

VT. has a lot of playing experience, but not in the NCAA tourney… their center has played 16 minutes. That matters when playing a team with considerable tourney experience like the Hogs. Speaking of non-tourney experience, Umude, Toney, and Lykes have scored more than 4000 points in college. Might mean something.

#8

This topic was automatically closed after 30 days. New replies are no longer allowed.