NCAA Tournament...Big East Elite Eight Preview

Well, the dream is over. Oklahoma did its best to make sure the Big East wouldn’t own the Final Four. However, there is still the possibility of three out of the four…which is pretty damn impressive. Can the conference continue to dominate? Let’s take a look at the picks.

Last Round: 3-2

Overall: 16-3

(3) Missouri vs. (1) UConn: The Huskies didn’t show signs of being distracted by the recruiting scandal. Jim Calhoun seems to have done a good job in putting a barrier between the allegations and his kids. UConn also continues to roll. Purdue just couldn’t match the physicality. Now it’s a battle of two high-scoring teams. Both squads are averaging over 90 points a game. This will be the toughest test so far for UConn. Expect the Huskies to get more from the perimeter, especially if the school can break the press. This will be a close one, but the Huskies will be too tough.

Prediction: 86-80 UConn

(3) Villanova vs. (1) Pittsburgh: Another game, another escape job by Pitt. However, a win is a win…especially this late in the season. Meanwhile, Nova comes in after destroying Duke (and the free world can once again rest easy). The Wildcats continue to run teams into the ground with straight athleticism. No team is more athletic defensively than Nova…which could be an issue for Pitt. The Panthers need more consistent scoring, which could be difficult against the Cats. DeJaun Blair needs to be a major factor. This means staying out of foul trouble, which could be tough. There is no doubt that Nova will drive at him all night. Pitt can’t afford to get out of the box slowly. If they do, this game will be over by halftime.

Prediction: 75-68 Villanova

(2) Michigan State vs. (1) Louisville: The Cardinals certainly looked like the number one overall seed last night. The Ville dismantled Arizona like a 16-seed. This team is just too deep, too athletic, and too well coached to not be a final four team. The Spartans are a good story. Tom Izzo has an experienced team playing well, at the right time. But MSU just won’t match the Ville’s intensity.

Prediction: 71-58 Louisville

NCAA Tournament...Big East Sweet 16 Preview

A good tourney so far for the Big East. The conference has proven that it is the best in the nation by still having five teams in the tourney. It is the first time that a single conference sends five teams to the Sweet 16. Having five team left keeps the possibility open for a complete Big East Final Four. The picks...

Last Round: 6-0
Overall: 13-1

Thursday
(5) Purdue vs. (1) UConn: The Huskies have been the most dominant team in the tourney so far. It helps to be playing with a chip on the ole shoulder. The ailing Jim Calhoun seems to have sold the disrespect card to his boys…and now they are taking it out on anyone who is in the way. Purdue has played well, but won’t handle the physicality that UConn will throw. Expect the Huskies to push the ball inside and take control early.

Prediction: 76-63 UConn

(3) Villanova vs. (2) Duke: It should be one of the better games of the round. Both teams have great guards, sharp shooting, and pretty solid defense. Nova desperately needs to come out strong. Jay Wright can ill-afford to get into a coaching battle. If so, Coach K will bury him in two seconds. The Wildcats will try to insert a more physical game. Duke does have a history of backing down to stronger teams. Once again Dante Cunningham could be the difference. Duke can’t match his game. If it’s close give Duke the advantage. I just don’t see it being close enough.

Prediction: 70-63 Villanova

(4) Xavier vs. (1) Pitt: Coach Miller gets to take on the team that he used to lead on the court. Now they stand between him and back-to-back Elite Eights for his Musketeers. There is no question Pitt has struggled, but maybe the break is what the Panthers needed. Sam Young is also playing at top form, which doesn’t bode well for Xavier. What does bode well for Xavier is the fact that Pitt hasn’t been to the Elite Eight in quite some time. The Panthers always find ways to lose. I’m sticking to my bracket, and going with the Musketeers…tournament experience and better form being the difference.

Prediction: 63-61 Xavier

Friday
(3) Syracuse vs. (2) Oklahoma: Here’s a straight battle for you all. Syracuse will bring the tough zone and athletic transition game. The Orange has been pretty solid so far, though have struggled to finish games out. The Cuse won’t get away with it against a team as solid as Oklahoma. Blake Griffin seems to be back up to form...and the boys have been shooting well from the outside. This will be a close one. Expect Oklahoma to attack the zone with Griffin, then kicking it out for open looks. The Cuse will look to exploit all turnovers and missed shots with the transition game. These two teams will be spent when it’s all over. And when it is finally through, expect the never-say-die Orange to be moving on.

Prediction: 85-80 Syracuse

(12) Arizona vs. (1) Louisville: The Cardinals were a tad lucky to escape the second round. Now Louisville takes on an Arizona team that is much better than the 12-seed it has. Each squad has numerous NBA prospects and fine role-players. The difference may simply be that the Cardinals have more. Louisville doesn’t normally blow teams out. Instead, the Cards slowly dismantle the opponent with great defense and colossal depth. The Wildcats are on a nice run, but the finish line will not be reached. Too much depth for Louisville.

Prediction: 71-58 Louisville

NCAA Tournament...Big East Games First Round Preview

NCAA tourney time for seven of the Big East’s finest. And what a tournament it may turn out to be for the conference. The first round is looking very promising for the magnificent seven, as the Big East looks to own the dance. So…let’s get right to it. The first round picks…

MIDWEST

(1) Louisville vs. (16) Morehead State: I refuse to breakdown 1-16 games. Not until a 16 seed wins one.

Prediction: 81-58 Louisville

(6) West Virginia vs. (11) Dayton: This will be a closer game than people may expect. Both teams play good defense, and both have some playmakers. The Mountaineers have had their struggles against the zone, but Dayton normally rolls in man defense. This could be the difference, with West Virginia getting too many easy looks.

Prediction: 73-65 West Virginia

WEST

(1) UConn vs. (16) Chattanooga: See above

Prediction: 85-60

(6) Marquette vs. (11) Utah State: The Golden Eagles will not have a long run in this year’s tourney. The injury to Dominic James will spell an early-exit…but not this early. Marquette will use their athleticism and Big East toughness to punish the Aggies.

Prediction: 78-64 Marquette

EAST

(1) Pittsburgh vs. (16) ETSU: See above

Prediction: 89-55 Pitt

(3) Villanova vs. (14) American: The ‘Cats have an outstanding bracket. They match-up well against many of the teams, and beat the one-seed (Pitt) earlier this season. It starts with a game against American. Nova’s guard play should bury American early, and coast from there.

Prediction: 78-58 Villanova

SOUTH

(4) Syracuse vs. (13) Stephen F. Austin: My man Stephen is in trouble. The Orange is one of the hottest teams in America right now, and continues to improve. The zone will confuse my man Stephen, forcing many turnovers, which will then setup the transition. Expect Syracuse to get up early and cruise to victory.

Prediction: 83-66 Syracuse