Scott Delaney
100* UCLA
20* NOTRE DAME
20* STANFORD
Write ups
Scott Delaney
100* UCLA
It?s plain and clear what team had the most impressive first-round win the past two days, and guys, I have to say after watching UCLA?s annihilation of Mississippi Valley State, (and not because of the score) I firmly believe the Bruins have the best balance ? from a stifling defense that is deep enough to withstand foul trouble and shooting slumps to an explosive offense that averages 73 points per game, but can easily put a 90-spot on any team in the nation.
And while the claim is the Bruins don't shoot the ball that well as a team, I tend to believe they have so many opportunities, their missed shots increase as their chances increase. That?s why you?re going to see floor general Darren Collison penetrate on the Aggies, while finishing with success. He can kick the ball out, find teammates for easy opportunities inside the 18-foot range, or simply kick it out to long-range during a time frame UCLA is shooting well.
Then there?s Kevin Love, arguably the most dominating big man in this tournament ? yes even more than Roy Hibbert ? and this kid is an exceptional passer who ignites the fast break by dominating the boards and firing pinpoint outlet passes. We have speedy wingmen Russell Westbrook and Josh Shipp who are stellar on the break and off the dribble in the halfcourt, and again, this is that balance that will make it hard for A&M to defend tonight.
Our biggest intangible in this game is the fact we?re playing the de facto home team, as this game is about an hour away from Westwood ? in Anaheim ? and when the crowd gets loud in that arena, it?s a rowdy environment. And the Aggies have been known to struggle on the highway. Lay the chalk in this one, as UCLA rolls to an easy win and cover.
20* NOTRE DAME
Will you quite thinking about the Cougars as a defensive team ? the myth is simply a half-truth, as they can play offense as well. And that?s why we?re going against them. Notre Dame is going to force a fast-paced game tonight, and that will get the Cougars away from their defensive ways, where they may thrive against some teams, but most certainly find themselves out of their element. The Cougars play at a speed faster than only seven out of 341 Division-I teams, and because of that, their scores look considerably lower.
And to put this in a better point of view for you, Notre Dame has played 18 games where the pace was 70 or higher; Washington State hasn't played a game with a pace higher than 68. That being said, we take the points and look for the Irish to run and run and run ? and run some more, aiming to maintain that 80-point average. And quite frankly, Notre Dame?s first-round foe was a much bigger test than Wazzou?s. Take the live dog.
20* STANFORD
Trent Johnson?s troops have some pure value with this low number. While the Pac 10 is known to be finesse and flash, the Big East is rugged. However, the Cardinal is a gritty, grind-it-out, effective-but-not-pretty-to-watch program that easily resembles a Big East team. That?s important, as Marquette won?t be able to gain a mental edge. And if the Eagles do try to get nasty, the Cardinal will have no problem bumping and grinding right along with them.
But here?s an even bigger deal: Marquette plays with three guards who are capable of putting up 20 or 25 points in any given game. But with the staunch Cardinal defense, we have a unit that has plenty of experience against some of the top wings/combo guards in the country, such as O.J. Mayo, Jerryd Bayless and James Harden. We also have an advantage in size and we have Robin Lopez. Lay the low chalk in this one boys, as Stanford is going to advance to the Sweet 16 over an outmatched Marquette team.