NCAA Tournament...Big East Games Second Round Preview

It was a solid opening round for the Big East, losing just one team (West Virginia) out of the seven. However, there was plenty of drama, including Pitt nearly losing to a 16-seed. And more drama should be on the way with some great second round tilts. Picks, picks, and more picks…

First Round: 6-1

Overall: 6-1

Saturday

(6) UCLA vs. (3) Villanova: Each team was in a dogfight in the first round…now which still has the legs to get the upper hand? It will be a battle of guards, and outside shooting early, as both squads look to set the tempo. Look for Dante Cunningham to take control of this game in the second half, as Nova pulls away with better ball movement, and more assertiveness. Don’t forget…it’s also a “home game” or Nova.

Prediction: 70-64 Villanova

(9) Texas A+M vs. (1) UConn: The Huskies seemed to be okay even with Jim Calhoun watching the game from the hospital. UConn treated a 16^th seed like it should. Meanwhile, the Aggies controlled BYU for 40 straight minutes, making the win look easy. Now for the tough task….trying to slow the Huskies down. A+M doesn’t have the size and strength to cut UConn down low…and just aren’t a strong enough team for the outside. Expect UConn to pull breeze in the second half.

Prediction: 78-65 UConn

Sunday

(6) Arizona State vs. (3) Syracuse: The Sundevils are in for a rude awakening. Syracuse is one of the hottest teams in America and didn’t break a sweat in the first round. ASU has to find a way to slow the Orange down or the Devils will be run out of the gym. Motion vs. a 2-3 zone is always fun to watch, and it could help ASU control the tempo. However, too many missed shots will turn the Orange loose.

Prediction: 81-75 Syracuse

(8) Oklahoma State vs. (1) Pittsburgh: Will nearly losing to a 16-seed be the best or worst thing to happen to Pitt? Will they come out with fire and raw emotion…and absolutely blast the Cowboys away? Or will they be flat and complacent…and have to dig deep to get out of the second round? Take the former on this one. Pitt will had its scare, and now it’s back to playing top-notch.

Prediction: 74-66 Pitt

(6) Marquette vs. (3) Missouri: The Eagles should be happy just to be in the second round, after nearly giving it away to Utah Sate. And now a battle with Mizzou sands in the way of a Sweet-16 birth. The Tigers handled Cornell well and should do the same with a Dominic James-less Marquette squad. The point guard will be missed, a the Eagles won’t be able to answer a Missouri run.

Prediction: 75-65 Missouri

(9) Sienna vs. (1) Louisville: Sienna will have some tired legs after a double-overtime thriller against Ohio State. That doesn’t bode well when the next opponent is solid and extremely deep. The Cardinals full-court press, inside-outside game, and adequate bench will be too much for the young Saints.

Prediction: 78-59 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