Catch of the Day.
The picks:
Kentucky(-15) vs. West Virginia
There will be an early scare. You can’t play WVA without the adjustment period to the most highly pressing team in the country. But, let’s review the key elements to beat Kentucky. 1) Defense. Check. 2) Physicality. Check. 3) Offensive rebounding. Check, with a deficiency of length to do so effectively against a team who plays three seven footers sometimes. 4) Three point shooting. No check. Listen, WVA is a Bobby Huggins type of team, and they won’t go quietly. I am not Shane Battier and saying there will be an upset. I WILL say that it will take a late mid second half run for the Wildcats to distance themselves. Too much of everything. UK wins but doesn’t beat the spread 71-65.
Notre Dame (-1) vs. Wichita State
I am going by my bracket. I expected this game and my opinion hasn’t changed, especially with Notre Dame’s two close calls. Notre Dame can score with anyone, but can they stop a hungry team that can score with them AND prides itself more on the defensive front? The guard play of Wichita State WILL expose Notre Dame’s lack of defense. The fact they can knock down shots will get frustrating. I expect the Dame crew to make this their third close game in a row, but I expect them on the losing end against an experienced team that shies away from no one. Wichita State wins 73-71 on a late shot.
Wisconsin (-5) vs. UNC
Hmmm. A more athletic squad that can’t shoot goes against a shooting team that still prides itself on defense. Frank the Tank is on a mission, and Paige and friends won’t be able to hit the open shots necessary to keep them in this thing. This thing might get ugly if Dekker joins the party again. Too much shooting, too much defense, too much experience. Give me Wisconsin 69-61.
Arizona (-10) vs. Xavier
Too much of everything. And I will say it again. I am DRIVING the Arizona bandwagon, people. Feel free to come aboard whenever you want. No more breakdowns. Arizona wins 81-63.
Louisville (-2.5) vs. NC State
This game might be a push on talent vs. present, hot-playing talent. The NC State story is cute, and they might have done better against a Northern Iowa squad where they would have better athletes against. Bottom line is in a marginal game where Pitino has almost a week to prepare, it ain’t going to happen. My only concern is that Louisville can’t score, but I think they get enough. This will be a barn burner I think, and give me Louisville 65-63 with a heart attack chance shot for NC State at the end of the game. Scratch that. NC State is the cute story of the tourney. Reverse that. NC State wins 65-63 with a heart attack chance shot for Louisville at the end of the game.
Michigan State (-1.5) vs. Oklahoma
The OU program is coming of age and the UVA-OU matchup would have been interesting from a defensive standpoint. But, UVA is out, and now OU just gets arguably the best coach in the game WITH ALMOST A WEEK TO PREPARE again. Michigan State will methodically tire OU, get the rebounds, and OU doesn’t have the weapons to really outscore this peaking MSU team. This is far from Izzo’s best team, but it is far from a team he can’t coach to a smart win. Same old thing up to this point. Michigan State wins 63-56.
Duke (-5) vs. Utah
This spread confuses me a bit, which means Vegas knows something and that is why they are Vegas and why I am me. The Utah kids are coming of age and the program is on the rebound, but the Sweet Sixteen will remain their shining moment THIS year. A player always shows up on a team and seems to carry them through the tourney. For this region and one game beyond, let’s just say “Ja” together. Duke is too good and has the older players to right any ship. I will compromise with Vegas and say Duke wins 70-66.
Gonzaga (-9.5) vs. UCLA
YES, UCLA shouldn’t be in the tourney. But, once in, they reminded us they have a large, athletic lineup. Ummmm. Gonzaga has THAT too and then some with more shooters. Gonzaga is literally too much I think, and their road will end with Duke. I think they cover too. We will have 48 Hours more to break down how Mark Few’s team is finally doing what it should be doing in the tourney before they lose to Duke. Gonzaga wins 78-63.
That is it. List being compiled still and I will hit you up tomorrow night while I am watching the games. That is all for today. Peace.