gpikePreviewing Saturday's NCAA tourney action
March 18th 2011 23:17
Saturday's third round action begins with everyone watching West Virginia and Kentucky.
Both teams had some trouble in advancing to this game. Kentucky defeated Princeton with a layin in the final seconds, 59-57. While, West Virginia started out slow, but beat Clemson, 84-76. Kentucky is 26-8, and the Mountaineers are 21-11. Kentucky versus Princeton, proved they can win in low-scoring contests. That's the type of game West Virginia is accustomed too providing. The Mountaineers did score in their game with Clemson, once again proving they can win in high-scoring battles. Kentucky has the better talent, and overall better offensive players. This will keep them marching on, and sending West Virginia home.
UCLA and Florida is the afternoon game. Looking at the first round games by both teams, you see the tale of the tape. Florida blew out UCSB in the early moments, they held onto the lead, and easily won the game, 79-51. UCLA pulled away from Michigan State, pulling ahead by 23 points midway through the second half. Then the Bruins barely held onto the win, 78-76. Talent-wise both teams are on the same level, and UCSB is not Michigan State. Though Florida has the deeper bench, and head coach Billy Donovan will use this as Florida keeps going into the tournament. UCLA puts up a valiant effort in the loss.
Morehead State versus Richmond is the next game. The vaunted 12th-seed taking on the 13th-seed. Neither team plays to this level of seed. Morehead State is the 13th-seed, they are a great team. Richmond as the 12th-seed is kind of a joke as Xavier and Temple, both from the Atlantic 10, are 6th and 7th seeds. Richmond won the Atlantic 10 conference tournament. Morehead State star Kenneth Faried struggled and the Eagles still won. Richmond outlasted Vanderbilt in their win, in making this game. The Spiders have a great group of players led by senior leader Justin Harper. Richmond wins here, in a tight game amongst the best of the round.
San Diego State pulled away from Northern Colorado to make the next round. Temple needed a last second shot to defeat Penn State. So who wins here? The Aztecs will beat Temple. Led by Kawhii Leonard, San Diego State is the team to beat in the West region. Temple puts up a good fight, then falters in the final ten minutes of the game. San Diego State improves to 34-2, and Temple finishes at 26-8.
Top-seeded Pittsburgh next opponent on Saturday is last years runner-up Butler. Pittsburgh is 28-5, while Butler is 24-9. Though these records are deceiving with Butler after a slow start on the year, finally hitting stride. Pittsburgh on the other hand is 4-3 in their last seven games. Butler has won 10 straight. Now as much as I would love for Butler to keep winning and moving on, they don't stand much of a chance here versus Pittsburgh. The Panthers are too strong with guards Brad Wanamaker and Ashton Gibbs as the teams facilatators. Pittsburgh ends Butler's year.
Gonzaga ended St. Johns run last round now face off against another religious school in BYU. The Cougars of BYU made the spotlight this year with Jimmer Freddette as the nation's leading scorer at 29 points per game. The Cougars are also known for kicking leading rebounder Brandon Davies off the squad for breaking the honor code. Gonzaga is the team coming into the game with more momentum, and toughness all around. Freddette needed to score 32 points for BYU to beat Wofford. He will need to score around 50 for the Cougars to win here as Gonzaga moves on. The Zags improve to 26-9 and 12-1 in their last 13 games. Too much strength down low does the Cougars in and hands them their fifth loss in 36 games.
The fourth-seed Wisconsin faces off against the fifth-seed Kansas State. I thought both teams were going to lose their opening matchups with Belmont and Utah State, but both won with little trouble. Which club has the edge in this game? Good question. Kansas State after a bad start this year has been playing better recently, while Wisconsin has slowed down after notable wins earlier on in the year. Kansas State with Jacob Pullen as the leader will struggle with Wisconsin. This game will be a low-scoring affair, and Wisconsin who suddenly found some shooting touch, will move onto face Pittsburgh. Jon Leur and Jordan Taylor prove to be too much for the Wildcats, in this close game.
Holy Big East. With 11 teams invited to the tournament it was inevitable the Big East would have teams face off at some point. The second round will be the first chance for the conference with Connecticut taking on Cincinnati. Both teams are the hottest teams from the Big East. Connecticut has won six straight, five of these coming in the Big East conference tournament. Cincinnati has won eight out of their last 11 games and are 26-8 on the year. The Bearcats finished above Connecticut in the Big East standings, by two games. Connecticut won the teams conference battle during the regular season, 67-59 on February, 27th. Kemba Walker struggled during the first half of the game before finishing with 16 points. Connecticut led for most of the game, but the Bearcats managed to always keep the game within striking distance. The same will hold true tomorrow with Connecticut winning the game, but Cincinnati never losing faith.
Both teams had some trouble in advancing to this game. Kentucky defeated Princeton with a layin in the final seconds, 59-57. While, West Virginia started out slow, but beat Clemson, 84-76. Kentucky is 26-8, and the Mountaineers are 21-11. Kentucky versus Princeton, proved they can win in low-scoring contests. That's the type of game West Virginia is accustomed too providing. The Mountaineers did score in their game with Clemson, once again proving they can win in high-scoring battles. Kentucky has the better talent, and overall better offensive players. This will keep them marching on, and sending West Virginia home.
UCLA and Florida is the afternoon game. Looking at the first round games by both teams, you see the tale of the tape. Florida blew out UCSB in the early moments, they held onto the lead, and easily won the game, 79-51. UCLA pulled away from Michigan State, pulling ahead by 23 points midway through the second half. Then the Bruins barely held onto the win, 78-76. Talent-wise both teams are on the same level, and UCSB is not Michigan State. Though Florida has the deeper bench, and head coach Billy Donovan will use this as Florida keeps going into the tournament. UCLA puts up a valiant effort in the loss.
Morehead State versus Richmond is the next game. The vaunted 12th-seed taking on the 13th-seed. Neither team plays to this level of seed. Morehead State is the 13th-seed, they are a great team. Richmond as the 12th-seed is kind of a joke as Xavier and Temple, both from the Atlantic 10, are 6th and 7th seeds. Richmond won the Atlantic 10 conference tournament. Morehead State star Kenneth Faried struggled and the Eagles still won. Richmond outlasted Vanderbilt in their win, in making this game. The Spiders have a great group of players led by senior leader Justin Harper. Richmond wins here, in a tight game amongst the best of the round.
San Diego State pulled away from Northern Colorado to make the next round. Temple needed a last second shot to defeat Penn State. So who wins here? The Aztecs will beat Temple. Led by Kawhii Leonard, San Diego State is the team to beat in the West region. Temple puts up a good fight, then falters in the final ten minutes of the game. San Diego State improves to 34-2, and Temple finishes at 26-8.
Top-seeded Pittsburgh next opponent on Saturday is last years runner-up Butler. Pittsburgh is 28-5, while Butler is 24-9. Though these records are deceiving with Butler after a slow start on the year, finally hitting stride. Pittsburgh on the other hand is 4-3 in their last seven games. Butler has won 10 straight. Now as much as I would love for Butler to keep winning and moving on, they don't stand much of a chance here versus Pittsburgh. The Panthers are too strong with guards Brad Wanamaker and Ashton Gibbs as the teams facilatators. Pittsburgh ends Butler's year.
Gonzaga ended St. Johns run last round now face off against another religious school in BYU. The Cougars of BYU made the spotlight this year with Jimmer Freddette as the nation's leading scorer at 29 points per game. The Cougars are also known for kicking leading rebounder Brandon Davies off the squad for breaking the honor code. Gonzaga is the team coming into the game with more momentum, and toughness all around. Freddette needed to score 32 points for BYU to beat Wofford. He will need to score around 50 for the Cougars to win here as Gonzaga moves on. The Zags improve to 26-9 and 12-1 in their last 13 games. Too much strength down low does the Cougars in and hands them their fifth loss in 36 games.
The fourth-seed Wisconsin faces off against the fifth-seed Kansas State. I thought both teams were going to lose their opening matchups with Belmont and Utah State, but both won with little trouble. Which club has the edge in this game? Good question. Kansas State after a bad start this year has been playing better recently, while Wisconsin has slowed down after notable wins earlier on in the year. Kansas State with Jacob Pullen as the leader will struggle with Wisconsin. This game will be a low-scoring affair, and Wisconsin who suddenly found some shooting touch, will move onto face Pittsburgh. Jon Leur and Jordan Taylor prove to be too much for the Wildcats, in this close game.
Holy Big East. With 11 teams invited to the tournament it was inevitable the Big East would have teams face off at some point. The second round will be the first chance for the conference with Connecticut taking on Cincinnati. Both teams are the hottest teams from the Big East. Connecticut has won six straight, five of these coming in the Big East conference tournament. Cincinnati has won eight out of their last 11 games and are 26-8 on the year. The Bearcats finished above Connecticut in the Big East standings, by two games. Connecticut won the teams conference battle during the regular season, 67-59 on February, 27th. Kemba Walker struggled during the first half of the game before finishing with 16 points. Connecticut led for most of the game, but the Bearcats managed to always keep the game within striking distance. The same will hold true tomorrow with Connecticut winning the game, but Cincinnati never losing faith.
Terrance Jones and Kentucky take on West Virginia, Saturday
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