gpikeWest and Southeast Regional Finals
March 26th 2011 01:17
Blowouts going on right now, likely sending North Carolina, and Kansas into Sunday's regional finals. First off, Saturday's games are to be played. The West region and Southwest region have their finals. Arizona versus Connecticut, and Butler against Florida.
West Final: Arizona after beating the defending champions on Thursday, get Connecticut, the nations hottest team. The game with Duke went exactly how I figured it would, with the Blue Devils leading the first half, but the rest of the game was a different story. Arizona stayed close with Derrick Williams in the first half, then used their athleticism to open large leads in the second half. Williams has rose to the top of the NBA draft board and for good reason. He was easily the best player out there yesterday. Kemba Walker of Connecticut gives Williams a run for his money in this regard.
Walker put the Huskies on his back once again in leading Connecticut past San Diego State. Jeremy Lamb contributed with 25 points, but Walker was the key in the win. Walker should be able to do the same thing he did on Thursday, in Saturday's game with Arizona. Walker totaled 36 points, and the Huskies needed all of these to win.
Arizona has a great contributing cast, much better then Connecticut. Solomon Hill, Lamont Jones, Kyle Fogg, even the bench players helped in knocking off Duke. Guys like Kevin Parrom and Jamelle Horne both were big in the victory. Williams is key for Arizona to move. Connecticut has good guys in the middle who will throw a body on Williams, making it more difficult for him to score. Alex Oriakhi, and Roscoe Smith will get prime duty of guarding Williams.
I love the way Arizona is playing right now. They are playing like a team on a crash course with winning the title. The only thing capable of knocking them off on Saturday, is not Connecticut or Walker but the dreaded let-down. Arizona wins the duel in Anaheim, with Williams leading the way.
Southwest: Butler did this same thing last year, only then it was not expected. This year it is. The Bulldogs are one win again from making the final four. The only thing standing in the way is one of the nation's most experienced team in Florida.
Three of the key guys for Florida are upperclassmen. Alex Tyus, Chandler Parsons, and Erving Walker have been in the tournament before, though never this far. Kenny Boynton is another big name for the Gators. The Gators are similar to other national favorites, Kansas and Ohio State with a deep bench. Guys just keep coming at you off their bench.
Butler doesn't have the bench, but they have tournament experience. Last years run, and now this current streak make the Bulldogs hard to beat. Shelvin Mack, and Matt Howard are great college players. Howard stepped up in the win versus Wisconsin, scoring 20 points, and 12 rebounds. Butler nearly ran out of gas in the late parts of the game, but still held onto win. Mack struggled against the relentless defense Wisconsin employs. Florida isn't as aggressive.
Florida is my pick to make the championship game though magic is once again with Butler. The Gators can win low-scoring games or high-scoring versions. Butler is unable to keep up if the game gets to be high-scoring unless Mack steps up as he did against Pittsburgh. Florida let BYU sharpshooter Jimmer Freddote score 32 points. Mack scored 32 against Pittsburgh. Not wavering with Florida as they win and end Butler's run. Keeping fingers crossed though, don't like picking against Butler.
West Final: Arizona after beating the defending champions on Thursday, get Connecticut, the nations hottest team. The game with Duke went exactly how I figured it would, with the Blue Devils leading the first half, but the rest of the game was a different story. Arizona stayed close with Derrick Williams in the first half, then used their athleticism to open large leads in the second half. Williams has rose to the top of the NBA draft board and for good reason. He was easily the best player out there yesterday. Kemba Walker of Connecticut gives Williams a run for his money in this regard.
Walker put the Huskies on his back once again in leading Connecticut past San Diego State. Jeremy Lamb contributed with 25 points, but Walker was the key in the win. Walker should be able to do the same thing he did on Thursday, in Saturday's game with Arizona. Walker totaled 36 points, and the Huskies needed all of these to win.
Arizona has a great contributing cast, much better then Connecticut. Solomon Hill, Lamont Jones, Kyle Fogg, even the bench players helped in knocking off Duke. Guys like Kevin Parrom and Jamelle Horne both were big in the victory. Williams is key for Arizona to move. Connecticut has good guys in the middle who will throw a body on Williams, making it more difficult for him to score. Alex Oriakhi, and Roscoe Smith will get prime duty of guarding Williams.
I love the way Arizona is playing right now. They are playing like a team on a crash course with winning the title. The only thing capable of knocking them off on Saturday, is not Connecticut or Walker but the dreaded let-down. Arizona wins the duel in Anaheim, with Williams leading the way.
Southwest: Butler did this same thing last year, only then it was not expected. This year it is. The Bulldogs are one win again from making the final four. The only thing standing in the way is one of the nation's most experienced team in Florida.
Three of the key guys for Florida are upperclassmen. Alex Tyus, Chandler Parsons, and Erving Walker have been in the tournament before, though never this far. Kenny Boynton is another big name for the Gators. The Gators are similar to other national favorites, Kansas and Ohio State with a deep bench. Guys just keep coming at you off their bench.
Butler doesn't have the bench, but they have tournament experience. Last years run, and now this current streak make the Bulldogs hard to beat. Shelvin Mack, and Matt Howard are great college players. Howard stepped up in the win versus Wisconsin, scoring 20 points, and 12 rebounds. Butler nearly ran out of gas in the late parts of the game, but still held onto win. Mack struggled against the relentless defense Wisconsin employs. Florida isn't as aggressive.
Florida is my pick to make the championship game though magic is once again with Butler. The Gators can win low-scoring games or high-scoring versions. Butler is unable to keep up if the game gets to be high-scoring unless Mack steps up as he did against Pittsburgh. Florida let BYU sharpshooter Jimmer Freddote score 32 points. Mack scored 32 against Pittsburgh. Not wavering with Florida as they win and end Butler's run. Keeping fingers crossed though, don't like picking against Butler.
Alex Oriakhi needs to slow down Derrick Williams for UCONN to win
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