NCAA Tournament “Sweet Sixteen”
There are 4 teams playing in 4 different locations this weekend. When the dust settles Sunday night there will be only one team left from each of these Arenas. The 4 teams left will be the “Final Four”.
Phoenix,AZ Thursday, March 27, 7:10 p.m.ET
West Virginia Mountaineers (26-10) vs. Xavier Musketeers (29-6)
Joe Alexander of West Virginia has elevated his game in the past month, averaging 24.6 points in March. The Musketeers are extremely well-balanced offensively, six players averaged between 9.8 points and 12.1 points per game. Xavier’s leading scorer is Josh Duncan, a player who spent most of this season coming off the bench.
30 minutes after the end of this game…….
UCLA Bruins (33-3) vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (29-6),
UCLA is the only team left from last year’s Final Four.They are 7-1 against the current Sweet 16 teams. UCLA has held its two tournament opponents to a total of 78 points. Western Kentucky is averaging 77.3 ppg. The Bruin’s Kevin Love is averaging 17.3 points 10.6 rebounds this year. Courtney Lee is the Hilltoppers leading scorer averaging 20.5 points, he scored 19 points in the first 20 minutes of his last game. The Hilltoppers strength is in the backcourt. 5 of their top 6 scorers are guards.
Charlotte,NC Thursday, March 27, 7:27 p.m. ET
Washington State Cougars (26-8) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (34-2)
North Carolina is 23-1 in NCAA tournament games played in their home state, the last time they lost a tournament game in NC was 29 years ago. Washington State will need to slow the pace of the game. Washington State held its first two NCAA Tournament opponents to an average of 40.5 points per game average. North Carolina is averaging 105.5 points in its first 2 tournament games.
30 minutes after the end of this game…….
Tennessee Volunteers (26-8) vs. Louisville Cardinals (26-8)
The Volunteers leading scorer this year was Chris Lofton, who has scored only 14 points in the first two tournament games. He has been bothered by a leg injury but is expected to play. Louisville is playing remarkably consistently on offense, they are a balanced with a deep rotation. 11 Cardinals scored in their last tournament game.
Detroit, MI Friday, March 28 7:10 p.m. ET
Davidson Wildcats (28-6) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (31-4)
Davidson has the longest winning streak of any team at 24 games.The Badgers had the best scoring defense (54.3 ppg) in college basketball this year. Stephen Curry of Davidson has a 35 point average, highest in the tournament.
30 minutes after the end of this game…….
Kansas Jayhawks (33-3) vs. Villanova Wildcats(22-12)
Kansas is scoring 81-plus points a game and have the largest scoring margin +20 ppg of any team this year. The Jayhawks have 4 players with scoring averages of at least 10, and three more who averaged at least 7 ppg.
This year the Villanova Wildcats were 13-1 when making eight or more three-pointers and 6-10 when making fewer than eight. Scottie Reynolds has scored 21 and 25 points in Villanova’s first 2 tournament games.
Houston, TX Friday, March 28 7:27 p.m. ET
Memphis Tigers (35-1) vs. Michigan State Spartans (27-8)
The Tigers biggest concern this year has been their free throw shooting . The Tigers are very talented and have had the best record in college basketball all year. Memphis is only 55.2% from the free throw line in the first two tournament games. Michigan State shoots 73.9 percent from the line. The Spartans weakness is a negative turnover differential for the season, they lost the turnover battle in each of their first two tournament games.
30 minutes after the end of this game…….
Texas Longhorns (30-6) vs. Stanford Cardinals (28-7)
Of the sixteen teams left Stanford has the best frontcourt and Texas the best backcourt. The 7-foot Lopez twins of Stanford, Brook and Robin have been dominant for Stanford. Brook is the scorer, averaging 19.2 points per game, and Robin is the defender, averaging a Pac-10 best 2.34 blocks per game. The backcourt combo of D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams have carried the Longhorns all year, the Longhorns will playing in their home state this weekend.
No related posts.
Comments
Loading ...
