a clear paper Tiger. The "#1" Zags were particularly susceptible to upset after Tillie was slowed with injuries — but even before that they were not well-tested, & looked over-rated to me. They were particularly suspect on the defensive end. Imo, defensively it was one of the worst Zags squads I'd seen in recent years. Especially in the paint. Which is where Yoeli did most of our damage.

And any team who couldn't stop us last year all that well — didn't want to face us. Particularly at home.

Like I said, last year's team was great at pulling off an occasional upset. But if the Zags last season had had a tall, lockdown wing like St Marys (or, if Kispert doesn't chuck up the worst shooting performance of his career), they woulda been near-impossible for our undermanned roster to keep up with.

If last year's Tourney had indeed played out, that Zags team was much, much more likely of being upset before the Sweet 16 — then we were of getting past it.