Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Boeheim Says Louisville and Michigan State Are Most ‘Dominant’ Teams Entering Tournament
BUFFALO –– Based on the eye test through his own glasses, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim thinks Michigan State and Louisville are the most “dominant” teams entering the NCAA Tournament.
“There’s not just that much difference between the teams,” Boeheim said here in advance of No. 3 Syracuse facing No. 14 Western Michigan in a South Region game Thursday. “That’s why I was impressed so much with Michigan State. They didn’t just win the [Big Ten] tournament, they dominated the tournament. That’s the difference.
“Louisville didn’t just win, they dominated [the American tournament], so that’s s a little different than just winning the tournament. That’s why I would give them more of an edge because of the way they took care of their tournaments.”
Boeheim said both teams should be seeded as a 2 instead of a 4, where they are.
“Louisville played like a 3 or 4 seed most of the year,” Boeheim said. “They were 5-5 against the Top 50…So if you based that then they got the right seed but if you look at the eye test, you say well no, then they’re a 2.
“And it’s the same with Michigan State….During the year, they lost a lot of games and you’d have to say they’re a 3 or a 4. [But] based on the eye test, they’re probably a 2.”
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
BUFFALO –– Based on the eye test through his own glasses, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim thinks Michigan State and Louisville are the most “dominant” teams entering the NCAA Tournament.
“There’s not just that much difference between the teams,” Boeheim said here in advance of No. 3 Syracuse facing No. 14 Western Michigan in a South Region game Thursday. “That’s why I was impressed so much with Michigan State. They didn’t just win the [Big Ten] tournament, they dominated the tournament. That’s the difference.
“Louisville didn’t just win, they dominated [the American tournament], so that’s s a little different than just winning the tournament. That’s why I would give them more of an edge because of the way they took care of their tournaments.”
Boeheim said both teams should be seeded as a 2 instead of a 4, where they are.
“Louisville played like a 3 or 4 seed most of the year,” Boeheim said. “They were 5-5 against the Top 50…So if you based that then they got the right seed but if you look at the eye test, you say well no, then they’re a 2.
“And it’s the same with Michigan State….During the year, they lost a lot of games and you’d have to say they’re a 3 or a 4. [But] based on the eye test, they’re probably a 2.”
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
