The Big Dance.
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Toledo Rockets (21-8) at Richmond Spiders (13-8)
The Toledo Rockets and Richmond Spiders meet Wednesday in the college basketball NIT First Round at the UNT Coliseum.
The Toledo Rockets look for a win after winning 10 of their last 14 games. The Toledo Rockets are averaging 81.3 points on 45.8 percent shooting and allowing 71.4 points on 42.1 percent shooting. Marreon Jackson is averaging 18.4 points and 6.1 rebounds while Ryan Rollins is averaging 13.5 points and 5.3 rebounds. Spencer Littleson is the third double-digit scorer and Setric Millner Jr. is grabbing 6.8 rebounds. The Toledo Rockets are shooting 38.6 percent from beyond the arc and 78.5 percent from the free throw line. The Toledo Rockets are allowing 29 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.9 rebounds per game.
The Richmond Spiders look to snap a three-game losing streak. The Richmond Spiders are averaging 75.6 points on 47.9 percent shooting and allowing 69.3 points on 46.3 percent shooting. Blake Francis is averaging 16.1 points and 2.3 rebounds while Grant Golden is averaging 12.7 points and six rebounds. Nathan Cayo is the third double-digit scorer and Tyler Burton is grabbing 7.7 rebounds. The Richmond Spiders are shooting 35.7 percent from beyond the arc and 73.5 percent from the free throw line. The Richmond Spiders are allowing 32 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28.1 rebounds per game.
The Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Wednesday games and 20-9 ATS in their last 29 games overall. The Spiders are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games and 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The over is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 overall. The under is 4-0 in Spiders last 4 overall.
The Richmond Spiders are the more proven team given the conference they're in, but they ended the season with a real dud and can be hit or miss at times defensively. The Toledo Rockets are a team that's used to winning and they're 20-9 against the spread. Toledo is winning its last five games by an average of 11.8 points while shooting 48 percent from the field. I get the feeling Toledo will be the more motivated team here. I'll grab the free bucket.
The Toledo Rockets and Richmond Spiders meet Wednesday in the college basketball NIT First Round at the UNT Coliseum.
The Toledo Rockets look for a win after winning 10 of their last 14 games. The Toledo Rockets are averaging 81.3 points on 45.8 percent shooting and allowing 71.4 points on 42.1 percent shooting. Marreon Jackson is averaging 18.4 points and 6.1 rebounds while Ryan Rollins is averaging 13.5 points and 5.3 rebounds. Spencer Littleson is the third double-digit scorer and Setric Millner Jr. is grabbing 6.8 rebounds. The Toledo Rockets are shooting 38.6 percent from beyond the arc and 78.5 percent from the free throw line. The Toledo Rockets are allowing 29 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.9 rebounds per game.
The Richmond Spiders look to snap a three-game losing streak. The Richmond Spiders are averaging 75.6 points on 47.9 percent shooting and allowing 69.3 points on 46.3 percent shooting. Blake Francis is averaging 16.1 points and 2.3 rebounds while Grant Golden is averaging 12.7 points and six rebounds. Nathan Cayo is the third double-digit scorer and Tyler Burton is grabbing 7.7 rebounds. The Richmond Spiders are shooting 35.7 percent from beyond the arc and 73.5 percent from the free throw line. The Richmond Spiders are allowing 32 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28.1 rebounds per game.
The Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Wednesday games and 20-9 ATS in their last 29 games overall. The Spiders are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games and 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The over is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 overall. The under is 4-0 in Spiders last 4 overall.
The Richmond Spiders are the more proven team given the conference they're in, but they ended the season with a real dud and can be hit or miss at times defensively. The Toledo Rockets are a team that's used to winning and they're 20-9 against the spread. Toledo is winning its last five games by an average of 11.8 points while shooting 48 percent from the field. I get the feeling Toledo will be the more motivated team here. I'll grab the free bucket.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (20-7) at St. Mary's Gaels (14-9)
College Basketball: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 9:00 pm (Comerica Center)
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reached the NIT after finishing the year with a 20-7 overall record including an 11-3 mark in C-USA play to finish atop the C-USA East division. The Hilltoppers took down UTSA and UAB before being upended by the North Texas Mean Green in overtime. Charles Bassey leads the Hilltoppers in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double per game with 17.7 PPG and 11.5 RPG this season. Taveion Hollingsworth added 13.6 PPG as the only other double-digit scorer for WKU this season while Josh Anderson had 9.2 PPG and Dayvion McKinght added a team-high 3.9 APG this season to lead the Hilltoppers in the assist department. As a team, Western Kentucky is averaging 73.9 PPG on 45.6% shooting from the field and 34.3% from three while allowing 68.5 PPG on 42.3% shooting from the field and 36% from three this season.
The Saint Mary?s Gaels come into this one after recording a 14-9 record overall this season including a 4-6 mark in WCC conference play. The Gaels took down Loyola Marymount in the quarter-finals of the WCC tournament before falling to undefeated conference champion Gonzaga in the semi-finals of the tournament. Logan Johnson leads the Gaels in scoring with 13.5 PPG while Tommy Kuhse has 12.6 PPG with 3.7 RPG and a team-high 4.8 APG to lead the Gaels in assists. Matthias Tass has 10.8 PPG with 5.2 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Saint Mary?s this season. Kyle Bowen also has 6 RPG for Saint Mary?s this year to lead the Gaels on the glass. As a team, Saint Mary?s is averaging 65.1 PPG on 42.5% shooting from the field and 30.6% from three while allowing 62.3 PPG on 42.5% shooting from the field and 35.7% from three this season.
Western Kentucky is 25-9 ATS in their last 34 games as an underdog and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600 while the under is 4-0 in their last 4 games overall. Saint Mary?s is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games against a team with a winning record while the under is 5-0 in their last 5 games overall.
This line makes no sense to me. I get it?s a neutral floor, but Saint Mary?s is not the better team here. This Gaels team has greatly regressed after losing Jordan Ford and Malik Fitts from last year?s team and I just think the Gaels are being way too much credit based on name brand. Western Kentucky is a 20-win team that I would?ve had in the tournament field ahead of other teams in there, but that?s another story for another day. Either way I think the wrong team?s favored here but I?ll take my free bucket with the Hilltoppers and walk to the window to cash my ticket.
College Basketball: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 9:00 pm (Comerica Center)
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reached the NIT after finishing the year with a 20-7 overall record including an 11-3 mark in C-USA play to finish atop the C-USA East division. The Hilltoppers took down UTSA and UAB before being upended by the North Texas Mean Green in overtime. Charles Bassey leads the Hilltoppers in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double per game with 17.7 PPG and 11.5 RPG this season. Taveion Hollingsworth added 13.6 PPG as the only other double-digit scorer for WKU this season while Josh Anderson had 9.2 PPG and Dayvion McKinght added a team-high 3.9 APG this season to lead the Hilltoppers in the assist department. As a team, Western Kentucky is averaging 73.9 PPG on 45.6% shooting from the field and 34.3% from three while allowing 68.5 PPG on 42.3% shooting from the field and 36% from three this season.
The Saint Mary?s Gaels come into this one after recording a 14-9 record overall this season including a 4-6 mark in WCC conference play. The Gaels took down Loyola Marymount in the quarter-finals of the WCC tournament before falling to undefeated conference champion Gonzaga in the semi-finals of the tournament. Logan Johnson leads the Gaels in scoring with 13.5 PPG while Tommy Kuhse has 12.6 PPG with 3.7 RPG and a team-high 4.8 APG to lead the Gaels in assists. Matthias Tass has 10.8 PPG with 5.2 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Saint Mary?s this season. Kyle Bowen also has 6 RPG for Saint Mary?s this year to lead the Gaels on the glass. As a team, Saint Mary?s is averaging 65.1 PPG on 42.5% shooting from the field and 30.6% from three while allowing 62.3 PPG on 42.5% shooting from the field and 35.7% from three this season.
Western Kentucky is 25-9 ATS in their last 34 games as an underdog and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600 while the under is 4-0 in their last 4 games overall. Saint Mary?s is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games against a team with a winning record while the under is 5-0 in their last 5 games overall.
This line makes no sense to me. I get it?s a neutral floor, but Saint Mary?s is not the better team here. This Gaels team has greatly regressed after losing Jordan Ford and Malik Fitts from last year?s team and I just think the Gaels are being way too much credit based on name brand. Western Kentucky is a 20-win team that I would?ve had in the tournament field ahead of other teams in there, but that?s another story for another day. Either way I think the wrong team?s favored here but I?ll take my free bucket with the Hilltoppers and walk to the window to cash my ticket.
Toledo or Richmond tonight
I think Toledo has much more to play for in my opinion. I am going Toledo!
Ohio State vs Oral Roberts Game Preview
Why Oral Roberts Will Win
It?s the last thing you want to deal with from a 15 seed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament ?
The crazy three-point shooting team.
Oral Roberts doesn?t really rebound, it doesn?t move the ball around all that well, and the defense is just okay, but what it does better than any college basketball team in America is hit three point shots and free throws.
The team lead the nation hitting 82% from the free throw line and averaging 11 made threes a game. They?re going to keep shooting threes, and then more threes, and then more.
On a bit of a roll, the Golden Eagles won their last five games including the Summit Conference tournament title despite finishing fourth in the regular season standings, but ?
Why Ohio State Will Win
You know that whole free throw shooting thing? Ohio State does it better.
Oral Roberts leads the nation in free throw percentage, but the Buckeyes lead the country in made free throws and are fourth in attempts. You?ve got to take them to make them, and Ohio State will get to the line more often.
This isn?t a team that will be intimidated by a high-powered offense. It?s used to keeping up in fast-paced games, it?s been able to win against some of the big-time shooting teams in the Big Ten, and it has no problem getting up and down the floor and making this a shootout.
Throw in the stronger ability on the boards, and when Oral Roberts does miss, there won?t be second chances.
What?s Going To Happen
Oral Roberts opened the season with a blowout loss to Missouri, but it gave Oklahoma State a nasty time in an 83-78 loss ? hitting 16 threes ? and pushed a defensive-minded Wichita State in an 85-80 loss hitting 13 threes.
The Golden Eagles are going to score and score some more. They?re going to be a problem for a Buckeye team that started to spin its wheels before making a run in the Big Ten Tournament.
No, it won?t be a 15 over a 2 shocker, but it?ll be interesting for a while.
Ohio State 88, Oral Roberts 72
Why Oral Roberts Will Win
It?s the last thing you want to deal with from a 15 seed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament ?
The crazy three-point shooting team.
Oral Roberts doesn?t really rebound, it doesn?t move the ball around all that well, and the defense is just okay, but what it does better than any college basketball team in America is hit three point shots and free throws.
The team lead the nation hitting 82% from the free throw line and averaging 11 made threes a game. They?re going to keep shooting threes, and then more threes, and then more.
On a bit of a roll, the Golden Eagles won their last five games including the Summit Conference tournament title despite finishing fourth in the regular season standings, but ?
Why Ohio State Will Win
You know that whole free throw shooting thing? Ohio State does it better.
Oral Roberts leads the nation in free throw percentage, but the Buckeyes lead the country in made free throws and are fourth in attempts. You?ve got to take them to make them, and Ohio State will get to the line more often.
This isn?t a team that will be intimidated by a high-powered offense. It?s used to keeping up in fast-paced games, it?s been able to win against some of the big-time shooting teams in the Big Ten, and it has no problem getting up and down the floor and making this a shootout.
Throw in the stronger ability on the boards, and when Oral Roberts does miss, there won?t be second chances.
What?s Going To Happen
Oral Roberts opened the season with a blowout loss to Missouri, but it gave Oklahoma State a nasty time in an 83-78 loss ? hitting 16 threes ? and pushed a defensive-minded Wichita State in an 85-80 loss hitting 13 threes.
The Golden Eagles are going to score and score some more. They?re going to be a problem for a Buckeye team that started to spin its wheels before making a run in the Big Ten Tournament.
No, it won?t be a 15 over a 2 shocker, but it?ll be interesting for a while.
Ohio State 88, Oral Roberts 72
Arkansas vs Colgate Game Preview
Why Colgate Will Win
Don?t think for a second that the NCAA Tournament committee didn?t know what it was doing with the 3-14.
Who better to throw at a fun Arkansas team than an equally entertaining Colgate squad that scores and scores and scores some more.
The Raider defense isn?t bad, either ? it leads the nation in three point field goal percentage D ? but it?s that offense that will keep shooting from three, keep making from three, and it?ll get on the move with a high-octane style that won?t blink against an Arkansas team that loves to do the same thing.
However ?
Why Arkansas Will Win
Arkansas does it better.
Not to conference shame or anything, but it?s cute and all when you?re putting up 95 on a Holy Cross or a 105 to slip past a Bucknell, and it?s another to be No. 1 in the SEC in scoring.
The Hogs are great from three, better on the free throw line, and they would love nothing more than to be able to go full throttle and attack the Colgate team that doesn?t turn the ball over all that often, but will see more defensive pressure than they have all season long.
What?s Going To Happen
You want to have some fun? Check this out for at least a half.
The two teams really do play D, but they?re going to want to play this in the 80s, and Colgate will be happy to keep bombing away from three and hope to catch lightning in a bottle.
The Raiders will make this fun, and they?ll get Twitter buzzing, and then the 18-2 run will come as Arkansas moves on.
Arkansas 84, Colgate 71
Why Colgate Will Win
Don?t think for a second that the NCAA Tournament committee didn?t know what it was doing with the 3-14.
Who better to throw at a fun Arkansas team than an equally entertaining Colgate squad that scores and scores and scores some more.
The Raider defense isn?t bad, either ? it leads the nation in three point field goal percentage D ? but it?s that offense that will keep shooting from three, keep making from three, and it?ll get on the move with a high-octane style that won?t blink against an Arkansas team that loves to do the same thing.
However ?
Why Arkansas Will Win
Arkansas does it better.
Not to conference shame or anything, but it?s cute and all when you?re putting up 95 on a Holy Cross or a 105 to slip past a Bucknell, and it?s another to be No. 1 in the SEC in scoring.
The Hogs are great from three, better on the free throw line, and they would love nothing more than to be able to go full throttle and attack the Colgate team that doesn?t turn the ball over all that often, but will see more defensive pressure than they have all season long.
What?s Going To Happen
You want to have some fun? Check this out for at least a half.
The two teams really do play D, but they?re going to want to play this in the 80s, and Colgate will be happy to keep bombing away from three and hope to catch lightning in a bottle.
The Raiders will make this fun, and they?ll get Twitter buzzing, and then the 18-2 run will come as Arkansas moves on.
Arkansas 84, Colgate 71
Tennessee vs Oregon State Game Preview
Why Oregon State Will Win
The Beavers might have been rocked by Oregon in early March, but that was in over the last several weeks with a 6-1 run and a Pac-12 Championship to get into the fun.
The scoring switch flipped on, with the team scoring more consistently over the streak and doing a better job from the field, hitting 50% or better three of the last five games and getting to 45% or better as a given, especially because the threes are popping.
After going 0-for-10 from three against Cal, the Beavers have been unstoppable from the outside against everyone except in that big loss to Oregon. It?s a strong team from three, the defense was the best in the Pac-12 at guarding from the outside, and it?s a strong free throw shooting team in the clutch.
Why Tennessee Will Win
Will we get good Tennessee or bad Tennessee?
This team was way, way too inconsistent throughout the season to assume a big run is coming, but when it?s on, it?s got the talent and the upside to make some noise.
There aren?t a ton of turnovers, the defense forces a slew of mistakes, and the defense was No. 1 in the SEC in points allowed per game. Teams are shooting under 40% against the Vols on the year with a good inside presence, lots of blocks, and burst and passing to capitalize on the takeaways.
What?s Going To Happen
Tennessee has big problems against teams that can rebound well, and that?s not Oregon State.
The Beavers have the defense to make the Vols go cold for long stretches, but there are way too many fouls, not enough takeaways, and there?s just enough missing to go cold for a few stretches.
Tennessee is a wee bit of a momentum team. As long as it?s on early with a few makes, it?ll get by.
Tennessee 76, Oregon State 67
Why Oregon State Will Win
The Beavers might have been rocked by Oregon in early March, but that was in over the last several weeks with a 6-1 run and a Pac-12 Championship to get into the fun.
The scoring switch flipped on, with the team scoring more consistently over the streak and doing a better job from the field, hitting 50% or better three of the last five games and getting to 45% or better as a given, especially because the threes are popping.
After going 0-for-10 from three against Cal, the Beavers have been unstoppable from the outside against everyone except in that big loss to Oregon. It?s a strong team from three, the defense was the best in the Pac-12 at guarding from the outside, and it?s a strong free throw shooting team in the clutch.
Why Tennessee Will Win
Will we get good Tennessee or bad Tennessee?
This team was way, way too inconsistent throughout the season to assume a big run is coming, but when it?s on, it?s got the talent and the upside to make some noise.
There aren?t a ton of turnovers, the defense forces a slew of mistakes, and the defense was No. 1 in the SEC in points allowed per game. Teams are shooting under 40% against the Vols on the year with a good inside presence, lots of blocks, and burst and passing to capitalize on the takeaways.
What?s Going To Happen
Tennessee has big problems against teams that can rebound well, and that?s not Oregon State.
The Beavers have the defense to make the Vols go cold for long stretches, but there are way too many fouls, not enough takeaways, and there?s just enough missing to go cold for a few stretches.
Tennessee is a wee bit of a momentum team. As long as it?s on early with a few makes, it?ll get by.
Tennessee 76, Oregon State 67
Syracuse vs San Diego State Game Preview
Why Syracuse Will Win
You know what you?re getting when it comes to Syracuse ?
Sort of.
As always, the Orange play a nasty brand of defense that does everything possible to force steals and big mistakes. As always, this is a long, athletic team that moves the ball around well, attacks the glass, and is aggressive enough be a big-time bother against the three.
It?s a good team on the free throw line, it?s occasionally deadly from three, and comes up with a whole lot of blocks with its inside presence.
San Diego State plays a defensive style and isn?t all that into getting into a high-powered shootout.
Why San Diego State Will Win
You sort of know what you?re getting when it comes to Syracuse.
It?s all those positive things, well coached, and tough as nails, but it also has moments when the offense just doesn?t work at all. It couldn?t hit a thing against the terrific Clemson D in a 78-61 loss back in early February, and it twice struggled against Virginia and its style ? which is sort of a resemblance to what San Diego State does.
San Diego State is one of the nation?s ultimate three-and-D teams, leading the Mountain West in three-point percentage, finishing eighth in the nation in scoring defense, and with a style of play that demolishes offense by attacking the ball and forcing a whole lot of steals.
To beat Syracuse, you?ve got to be aggressive on the glass ? no problem there ? you must be careful with the ball, and the offense has to be a bit deliberate. The Aztecs haven?t hit double-digit turnovers in any of the last four games and haven?t gotten there in eight of the last 11.
What?s Going To Happen
Pick against Syracuse at your own peril.
This isn?t one of Jim Boeheim?s monster teams, but it?s had its moments when it the D rose up and clamped down, it was suffocating.
San Diego State?s offense is just active enough to avoid being closed down, and the defense is just nasty enough to slow things down to a grind when it needs to.
The Aztecs are a bit better from three and it?s a bit more consistent defensively. Don?t expect fireworks, but watch out for a tense thriller that comes down to the final few possessions.
San Diego State 69, Syracuse 65
Why Syracuse Will Win
You know what you?re getting when it comes to Syracuse ?
Sort of.
As always, the Orange play a nasty brand of defense that does everything possible to force steals and big mistakes. As always, this is a long, athletic team that moves the ball around well, attacks the glass, and is aggressive enough be a big-time bother against the three.
It?s a good team on the free throw line, it?s occasionally deadly from three, and comes up with a whole lot of blocks with its inside presence.
San Diego State plays a defensive style and isn?t all that into getting into a high-powered shootout.
Why San Diego State Will Win
You sort of know what you?re getting when it comes to Syracuse.
It?s all those positive things, well coached, and tough as nails, but it also has moments when the offense just doesn?t work at all. It couldn?t hit a thing against the terrific Clemson D in a 78-61 loss back in early February, and it twice struggled against Virginia and its style ? which is sort of a resemblance to what San Diego State does.
San Diego State is one of the nation?s ultimate three-and-D teams, leading the Mountain West in three-point percentage, finishing eighth in the nation in scoring defense, and with a style of play that demolishes offense by attacking the ball and forcing a whole lot of steals.
To beat Syracuse, you?ve got to be aggressive on the glass ? no problem there ? you must be careful with the ball, and the offense has to be a bit deliberate. The Aztecs haven?t hit double-digit turnovers in any of the last four games and haven?t gotten there in eight of the last 11.
What?s Going To Happen
Pick against Syracuse at your own peril.
This isn?t one of Jim Boeheim?s monster teams, but it?s had its moments when it the D rose up and clamped down, it was suffocating.
San Diego State?s offense is just active enough to avoid being closed down, and the defense is just nasty enough to slow things down to a grind when it needs to.
The Aztecs are a bit better from three and it?s a bit more consistent defensively. Don?t expect fireworks, but watch out for a tense thriller that comes down to the final few possessions.
San Diego State 69, Syracuse 65
Purdue vs North Texas Game Preview
Why North Texas Will Win
The Mean Green was fifth in Conference USA?s regular season, but it went on a four game run in the conference tournament to push its way into the fun.
This is a good shooting team that did what it had to do. It proved it?s tournament tough with the OT win over WKU, and it really is dangerous enough to pull this off.
There?s not a lot of size, and the team kept winning even though the shooting wasn?t great over the last few games of the conference tournament, but the D is solid and aggressive and the O led Conference USA making 48% of its shots.
Purdue turns it over a ton, it doesn?t force a lot of mistakes, and North Texas has the veteran guards for a balanced offense that won?t get rattled.
However ?
Why Purdue Will Win
Arkansas, Mississippi State, West Virginia, Loyola. North Texas lost to all four of them, and failed to get to 55 points against everyone but MSU in a 69-63 loss.
Again, there?s not a ton of Mean Green bulk outside of Zachary Simmons, and Purdue is big, tough, and should have no problems owning the boards. Be shocked if the Boilermakers aren?t at least a +10 in rebounding margin.
North Texas doesn?t crank up the O. It can shoot, but it?s a measured team that won?t bomb away from outside. One big Purdue burst might be enough to put this away.
What?s Going To Happen
North Texas has just enough of a defense to be a bother, but Purdue should own the inside as it keeps on pounding away for points.
This is hardly a perfect Boilermaker team, but it?s going to have problems ? most likely ? against teams that can get up and down the floor quickly and can make games a shootout. That?s not North Texas.
Purdue 73, North Texas 64
Why North Texas Will Win
The Mean Green was fifth in Conference USA?s regular season, but it went on a four game run in the conference tournament to push its way into the fun.
This is a good shooting team that did what it had to do. It proved it?s tournament tough with the OT win over WKU, and it really is dangerous enough to pull this off.
There?s not a lot of size, and the team kept winning even though the shooting wasn?t great over the last few games of the conference tournament, but the D is solid and aggressive and the O led Conference USA making 48% of its shots.
Purdue turns it over a ton, it doesn?t force a lot of mistakes, and North Texas has the veteran guards for a balanced offense that won?t get rattled.
However ?
Why Purdue Will Win
Arkansas, Mississippi State, West Virginia, Loyola. North Texas lost to all four of them, and failed to get to 55 points against everyone but MSU in a 69-63 loss.
Again, there?s not a ton of Mean Green bulk outside of Zachary Simmons, and Purdue is big, tough, and should have no problems owning the boards. Be shocked if the Boilermakers aren?t at least a +10 in rebounding margin.
North Texas doesn?t crank up the O. It can shoot, but it?s a measured team that won?t bomb away from outside. One big Purdue burst might be enough to put this away.
What?s Going To Happen
North Texas has just enough of a defense to be a bother, but Purdue should own the inside as it keeps on pounding away for points.
This is hardly a perfect Boilermaker team, but it?s going to have problems ? most likely ? against teams that can get up and down the floor quickly and can make games a shootout. That?s not North Texas.
Purdue 73, North Texas 64
West Virginia vs Morehead State Game Preview
Why Morehead State Will Win
The Eagles had one off day in 2021.
2-6 in 2020, everything changed once the calendar turned, going 21-1 the rest of the way with only a clunker against Belmont along the way.
There?s a great inside presence with decent size, and better outside pressure against the three. This is a fantastic team at hitting the glass, the D generates the O ? even though there aren?t a ton of steals ? and it?s a strong team on the free throw line.
It?s the type of rock-solid defensive team no one wants to face in the early part of the tournament, but ?
Why West Virginia Will Win
Kentucky 81-45. Ohio State 77-44. Clemson 66-51.
Yeah, it?s a strong Morehead State team that got better and better as the year went on, but it was rim-rocked early against the brand name teams on the slate.
It might be a strong defensive team, but it screws up and turns it over a whole lot.
Uh oh.
This might not be a West Virginia team of the recent past with the velociraptors that pounced all over opposing backcourts, but it?s not all that far off.
The Mountaineers can turn up the defensive intensity, they?re killers on the offensive glass, and they?re going to be outstanding on the free throw line over and over again ? the Eagle get hit with a ton of fouls.
What?s Going To Happen
It?s going to be a West Virginia layup line.
The Mountaineers force 29 turnovers in the back-to-back games against Oklahoma State to close out the regular season/Big 12 Tournament. They might have lost both games, but that?s not happening after forcing at least 20 turnovers and capitalizing on most of them.
West Virginia 77, Morehead State 64
Why Morehead State Will Win
The Eagles had one off day in 2021.
2-6 in 2020, everything changed once the calendar turned, going 21-1 the rest of the way with only a clunker against Belmont along the way.
There?s a great inside presence with decent size, and better outside pressure against the three. This is a fantastic team at hitting the glass, the D generates the O ? even though there aren?t a ton of steals ? and it?s a strong team on the free throw line.
It?s the type of rock-solid defensive team no one wants to face in the early part of the tournament, but ?
Why West Virginia Will Win
Kentucky 81-45. Ohio State 77-44. Clemson 66-51.
Yeah, it?s a strong Morehead State team that got better and better as the year went on, but it was rim-rocked early against the brand name teams on the slate.
It might be a strong defensive team, but it screws up and turns it over a whole lot.
Uh oh.
This might not be a West Virginia team of the recent past with the velociraptors that pounced all over opposing backcourts, but it?s not all that far off.
The Mountaineers can turn up the defensive intensity, they?re killers on the offensive glass, and they?re going to be outstanding on the free throw line over and over again ? the Eagle get hit with a ton of fouls.
What?s Going To Happen
It?s going to be a West Virginia layup line.
The Mountaineers force 29 turnovers in the back-to-back games against Oklahoma State to close out the regular season/Big 12 Tournament. They might have lost both games, but that?s not happening after forcing at least 20 turnovers and capitalizing on most of them.
West Virginia 77, Morehead State 64
LSU vs St. Bonaventure Game Preview
Why St. Bonaventure Will Win
Defense, defense, defense.
The Bonnies won the Atlantic 10 tournament championship with a suffocating D that?s one of the best in the nation in field goal defense ? teams are hitting just 39% from the field ? and allows just 60 points per game. It?s not necessarily a slow-and-go team, but it?s able to grind things down when needed and it?s just really, really good defensively.
It hit a bit of a three-point lull at the very end, but it?s normally good enough to be a problem form the outside. If it?s able to make 40% from three, that fits into everything else the team likes to do.
On the flip side, defense is optional at times for an LSU team that doesn?t have enough of an interior defensive presence, and it doesn?t lock down for a full 40 minutes.
Why LSU Will Win
LSU might be able to simply outbomb the Bonnies.
This is a good St. Bonaventure offense overall, but it?s not amazing from three and it?s not going to get up and down the court like LSU can in a shootout.
The Tigers might have defensive lapses, but it?s good enough at moving the ball around and athletic enough to score in a variety of ways. Yeah, the St. Bonaventure D is nasty, but it doesn?t force mistakes and doesn?t come up with a ton of steals. LSU won?t be bothered enough from the outside.
To go elitist, the best team it beat was VCU, and it went 2-1 against the Rams. The Bonnies didn?t play anyone outside of the mid-majors, and LSU is bringing a whole other level of talent, but ?
What?s Going To Happen
St. Louis beat LSU early in the season, and St. Bonaventure whacked the Billikens two weeks ago ? but also lost in a midseason meeting.
That Tiger loss was way back in November, though. In general, it takes offensive firepower to beat LSU and not necessarily a big defensive performance. Other than the SEC Tournament loss to Alabama defeat at Arkansas a few weeks ago, LSU lost when teams went lights out from the field.
St. Bonaventure will throw a massive scare into the Tigers, and the D will be a problem, there won?t be enough offensive punch ? or free throw attempts ? in the final five minutes to pull this out.
LSU 74, St. Bonaventure 70
Why St. Bonaventure Will Win
Defense, defense, defense.
The Bonnies won the Atlantic 10 tournament championship with a suffocating D that?s one of the best in the nation in field goal defense ? teams are hitting just 39% from the field ? and allows just 60 points per game. It?s not necessarily a slow-and-go team, but it?s able to grind things down when needed and it?s just really, really good defensively.
It hit a bit of a three-point lull at the very end, but it?s normally good enough to be a problem form the outside. If it?s able to make 40% from three, that fits into everything else the team likes to do.
On the flip side, defense is optional at times for an LSU team that doesn?t have enough of an interior defensive presence, and it doesn?t lock down for a full 40 minutes.
Why LSU Will Win
LSU might be able to simply outbomb the Bonnies.
This is a good St. Bonaventure offense overall, but it?s not amazing from three and it?s not going to get up and down the court like LSU can in a shootout.
The Tigers might have defensive lapses, but it?s good enough at moving the ball around and athletic enough to score in a variety of ways. Yeah, the St. Bonaventure D is nasty, but it doesn?t force mistakes and doesn?t come up with a ton of steals. LSU won?t be bothered enough from the outside.
To go elitist, the best team it beat was VCU, and it went 2-1 against the Rams. The Bonnies didn?t play anyone outside of the mid-majors, and LSU is bringing a whole other level of talent, but ?
What?s Going To Happen
St. Louis beat LSU early in the season, and St. Bonaventure whacked the Billikens two weeks ago ? but also lost in a midseason meeting.
That Tiger loss was way back in November, though. In general, it takes offensive firepower to beat LSU and not necessarily a big defensive performance. Other than the SEC Tournament loss to Alabama defeat at Arkansas a few weeks ago, LSU lost when teams went lights out from the field.
St. Bonaventure will throw a massive scare into the Tigers, and the D will be a problem, there won?t be enough offensive punch ? or free throw attempts ? in the final five minutes to pull this out.
LSU 74, St. Bonaventure 70
UNC Greensboro Spartans (21-7) at Florida State Seminoles (16-6)
The UNC Greensboro Spartans have won six of their last seven games and are coming off a Southern title. The UNC Greensboro Spartans are averaging 73.4 points on 42.3 percent shooting and allowing 67.6 points on 41.2 percent shooting. Isaiah Miller is averaging 19.3 points and 6.9 rebounds while Keyshaun Langley is averaging 9.8 points and 3.4 assists. Kaleb Hunter is dishing 0.8 assists and Angelo Allegri is grabbing 4.1 rebounds. The UNC Greensboro Spartans are shooting 29.2 percent from beyond the arc and 68.6 percent from the free throw line. The UNC Greensboro Spartans are allowing 32.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36.8 rebounds per game.
The Florida State Seminoles enter the tournament splitting their last six games. The Florida State Seminoles are averaging 79.6 points on 47.2 percent shooting and allowing 70.1 points on 40 percent shooting. M.J. Walker is averaging 13 points and 2.6 rebounds while RaiQuan Gray is averaging 12 points and 6.5 rebounds. Scottie Barnes is the third double-digit scorer and Anthony Polite is grabbing 4.5 rebounds. The Florida State Seminoles are shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 73.7 percent from the free throw line. The Florida State Seminoles are allowing 33.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.8 rebounds per game.
The Spartans are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Saturday games and 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games overall. The Seminoles are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 Saturday games and 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The over is 5-1 in Spartans last 6 games as an underdog. The over is 33-16-2 in Seminoles last 51 overall.
The UNC Greensboro Spartans didn't play many power house programs this season, so the jury is out on how good they actually are. The Florida State Seminoles are still a physical, lengthy defensive team, but they also have an offensive punch this season and are a dangerous team entering the tournament. UNC Greensboro hasn't faced a team like FSU and this could be a class difference. I'll lay the chalk with Florida State, as I'm not sure UNC Greensboro can hang against the Noles athletes.
The UNC Greensboro Spartans have won six of their last seven games and are coming off a Southern title. The UNC Greensboro Spartans are averaging 73.4 points on 42.3 percent shooting and allowing 67.6 points on 41.2 percent shooting. Isaiah Miller is averaging 19.3 points and 6.9 rebounds while Keyshaun Langley is averaging 9.8 points and 3.4 assists. Kaleb Hunter is dishing 0.8 assists and Angelo Allegri is grabbing 4.1 rebounds. The UNC Greensboro Spartans are shooting 29.2 percent from beyond the arc and 68.6 percent from the free throw line. The UNC Greensboro Spartans are allowing 32.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36.8 rebounds per game.
The Florida State Seminoles enter the tournament splitting their last six games. The Florida State Seminoles are averaging 79.6 points on 47.2 percent shooting and allowing 70.1 points on 40 percent shooting. M.J. Walker is averaging 13 points and 2.6 rebounds while RaiQuan Gray is averaging 12 points and 6.5 rebounds. Scottie Barnes is the third double-digit scorer and Anthony Polite is grabbing 4.5 rebounds. The Florida State Seminoles are shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 73.7 percent from the free throw line. The Florida State Seminoles are allowing 33.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.8 rebounds per game.
The Spartans are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Saturday games and 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games overall. The Seminoles are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 Saturday games and 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The over is 5-1 in Spartans last 6 games as an underdog. The over is 33-16-2 in Seminoles last 51 overall.
The UNC Greensboro Spartans didn't play many power house programs this season, so the jury is out on how good they actually are. The Florida State Seminoles are still a physical, lengthy defensive team, but they also have an offensive punch this season and are a dangerous team entering the tournament. UNC Greensboro hasn't faced a team like FSU and this could be a class difference. I'll lay the chalk with Florida State, as I'm not sure UNC Greensboro can hang against the Noles athletes.
