SI's Magic Eight

[Xville]

http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2016/02/16/2016-ncaa-tournament-champion-duke-kansas-kentucky

Found this to be quite interesting. I agree with six of the teams. I think Kentucky or Duke could possibly reach the Final Four based on a very favorable draw and if all the stars aligned, but neither of them are winning the title.

I also can't fault him for putting Xavier and Nova on the outside looking in based upon what he said about them.

[GoMuskies]

If his "Magic Eight" is going to be right, it had better come from one of the first three teams. I don't think the other five listed can do it.

[Xville]

If his "Magic Eight" is going to be right, it had better come from one of the first three teams. I don't think the other five listed can do it.

You don't think that Michigan State or Kansas could win it? I hate Kansas but they seem to have all the pieces and Michigan State has that Senior "I'll lead us to the promise land" in Valentine.

[bleedXblue]

to me this is the usual programs.....Duke...are the fu*&^ng kidding me?

[XMuskieFTW]

This is pretty garbage. Duke? Come on...

[bleedXblue]

I've watched Duke play multiple times this year. Of course, they could win it all......as they already have 6-7 times or whatever it is. But not THIS YEAR.

[xu82]

to me this is the usual programs.....Duke...are the fu*&^ng kidding me?

Duke has a chance because they have, shall we say, "certain advantages". Did you see the UVA game? The guy scoring the winning basket is STILL traveling!

[MD Muskie]

I just have to laugh at his risk taking. Lets drop the number one team in the polls and make this list of 8 the usual suspects. It will be risky because no one will notice that Duke and UK are not in their usual spots in the rankings. SMH.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

This is the kind of year where if you get hot you have a legit shot at winning, I think that list is a lot longer than 8 teams. This article is click bait.

[Xville]

I've watched Duke play multiple times this year. Of course, they could win it all......as they already have 6-7 times or whatever it is. But not THIS YEAR.

Probably not, he did preface it by saying if Jefferson comes back. I think even then they are at best, a final four team.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Probably not, he did preface it by saying if Jefferson comes back. I think even then they are at best, a final four team.

and to be fair, he admits that his confidence level is low about these picks.

Luke Winn ‏@lukewinn
Full disclosure: The Magic Eight missed UConn in 2014, and I could see about 18 different teams winning this yr, so, confidence level is low

[nasdadjr]

Iowa is a fraud have been for a couple weeks but don't look now Arizona is healthy and looking good. The should be in the right yet

[Emp]

I like to hate me some Duke, too.......but that was impressive tonight at NC. I would never undersell Macks game planning, but we could not play man D against the two rookie studs. I'd prefer not to play them in early rounds.

[XMuskieFTW]

I like to hate me some Duke, too.......but that was impressive tonight at NC. I would never undersell Macks game planning, but we could not play man D against the two rookie studs. I'd prefer not to play them in early rounds.

Would be tough for a team that is really only going to go 6 deep to make a deep run. March can be exhausting.

[X-band '01]

Duke is looking like a Top 4 seed again.

[nasdadjr]

Duke is looking like a Top 4 seed again.

No way. No offense to UNC but their resume is definitely lacking compared to some of the better teams. UNC kinda got exposed more than duke impressed in my opinion

[nasdadjr]

Let me clarify duke is close to a 4 seed but not there yet

[X-band '01]

No way. No offense to UNC but their resume is definitely lacking compared to some of the better teams. UNC kinda got exposed more than duke impressed in my opinion

I hate to be the one to defend Dook, but they have 6 wins against teams that are likely in the NCAA field (including 2 quality wins against Virginia and at UNC). If you really think about it, their only bad loss was at Clemson.

At the same time, it would likely result in them playing early-round games in either Denver or Spokane instead of Raleigh, so there is that.

[nasdadjr]

I hate to be the one to defend Dook, but they have 6 wins against teams that are likely in the NCAA field (including 2 quality wins against Virginia and at UNC). If you really think about it, their only bad loss was at Clemson.

At the same time, it would likely result in them playing early-round games in either Denver or Spokane instead of Raleigh, so there is that.

Like I said after watching them it's just my opinion. I think the bigger development is I believe LSU is basically out after the bama loss right now.

I saw a report asking if the NCAA needed Ben Simmons? I was thinking... The NCAA became the premiere sporting event long before Simmons and will be long after him. LSU is a suck ass team with no resume except a couple decent wins and one good player. I'm glad the four letter networks hype machine is gonna miss out in all likelihood

[X-band '01]

Ben Simmons is not going to be a factor at all if LSU can't get any more quality wins.

[GIMMFD]

I hate to be the one to defend Dook, but they have 6 wins against teams that are likely in the NCAA field (including 2 quality wins against Virginia and at UNC). If you really think about it, their only bad loss was at Clemson.

At the same time, it would likely result in them playing early-round games in either Denver or Spokane instead of Raleigh, so there is that.

I agree with you, sure they have a 6 (5 man rotation now that Matt Jones is out with a "bad ankle sprain" according to Krzyzewski, but they've played some very good basketball lately. I watched the entire Duke/UNC game last night, and they just didn't go away, granted I think Roy Williams is more of an idiot not getting Brice any touches the last 5-6 possessions down the court, or the fact that he didn't call a time out, but I give credit where credit is due.