Things start heating up now as the second week of the NCAA Tournament begins on Thursday. UCF/Duke created the first true buzz to the tournament and the Sweet 16 looks to continue that and then some.
Bluebloods, middle of the line programs, and ones on the rise are featured in the Thursday slate. It features 2 1 seeds and a 12 seed that hasn’t lost in a month and a half.
#1 Gonzaga vs. #4 Florida State
This game isn’t too much of a surprise when it comes to the chances of Florida State pulling off the upset. Baylor shot just 4-21 from 3 and has heavily undersized. They still pushed Gonzaga for quite a bit of the 2nd half and outscored the Bulldogs.
7’4 Mfiondu Kabengele will be a physical presence and will be tough for Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke in this contest.
FSU was also able to stifle Murray State and Ja Morant as he finished 8-21 from the field and scored half a 100 in the first half against the Racers. Outside of Morant, Murray State couldn’t get anything going offensively and could not stop Terance Mann.
With Terance Mann being another threat that can drive and score, FSU has a really good chance of advancing to the elite 8 with the defensive presence they have down low that could give the best offense in the nation some serious issues in this contest. Gonzaga does have an elite offense and some guards, so this game will get high scoring and FSU will have to keep up.
This game that will not be based off the bigs play. But if Gonzaga is going to win, they’re going to need Brandon Clarke to play like he has the previous 2 games against much better and taller bigs down low. I think Florida State pulls off the upset and a legit chance at a Final 4 run. Florida State 81, Gonzaga 78.
#2 Tennessee vs. #3 Purdue
There’s not one player that you wouldn’t want to play more than Carsen Edwards. During one of the RedCup Inbox’s earlier in the CBB Season, I said that the best Non-Duke player would be Carsen Edwards.
Edwards has been the engine for the Purdue offense and has career highs in PPG, 3 Point %, Assists, and Steals. Purdue was able to expose Villanova as they nearly doubled Villanova’s rebounding numbers and assisted 19 times on 29 made shots from the Boilermakers.
UT has been pushed in two games against the #15 seed Colgate and was taken to OT against #10 seed Iowa. Tennessee gave up 70 and 77 to both of those teams and based on how Purdue has been playing, I don’t expect them to give up less than 75. Matt Haarms also had a solid game in the Villanova contest where he shot 8-12 from the field and a near double double with 9 assists.
Carsen Edwards is the best player in the tournament currently and if Purdue gets anywhere close to 16-30 from 3, it’s over for the Vols. Tennessee’s bench is thin and the defense is an issue. That is a positive for the Boilermakers and why I think Purdue will win this game. Purdue 82, Tennessee 74.
#2 Michigan vs. #3 Texas Tech
In Football Texas Tech isn’t used to playing a lot of defense. It’s nothing new up in Ann Arbor to play physical, tough defense (unless that’s Ohio State of course). This game will be a first one to 60-65 Points will win this contest. The 2nd and 3rd ranked defenses in the nation collide.
Michigan has had elite defense all season long. But the way they suffocated Florida and gave them very limited amount of good looks is astonishing. A sluggish 34% from 2 and 3 point range was the ultimate decider.
Michigan didn’t shot well in this contest and leading scorer Ignas Brazdeikis was just 2-8 with 5 Points. Jordan Poole and Brazdeikis are going to need to be a bit more consistent, especially against a better defense in Tech.
For Texas Tech, they beat a very good Buffalo and started flexing towards the end as it ended up being a 20 Point win. Buffalo averaged nearly 85 PPG heading into that matchup. Buffalo shot just 36% from the field and scored an abysmal 59 Points. Tech wasn’t great from the field, but have been shooting better from 3 recently.
Don’t expect a ton of points in this game and whoever shots over 43% from the field will more than likely win this game. I’ll take the Red Raiders as the lone Big 12 team left will cruise through and have a date with the Gonzaga/FSU winner. Texas Tech 64, Michigan 58.
#1 Virginia vs. #12 Oregon
Oregon’s last loss was a road game on the road against UCLA (their 3rd straight loss). Oregon hasn’t lost a game ever since. Oregon also hasn’t given up more than 75 points in those games as Oregon’s defense has been the strength and that is what has gotten them to this point of the Tournament.
Similar to Tech, Virginia isn’t known for playing stout defense in Football (unless your name is Bryce Hall). But in Basketball, they are number 1 in the nation in defense and had a scare for a half against Gardner Webb.
Virginia was able to take down the Big South champs and then stumble a little bit more against Oklahoma. Similar to Tennessee, they haven’t been dominant with their wins and that does cause for concern in this matchup. Oregon is steaming hot and anything can happen in the NCAA Tournament.
Even with Oregon playing really well, they aren’t known for scoring a ton of points and you have to do that to stay with Virginia’s pace. UVA is not going to score 80+ or more, but they can get going offensively. Oregon scares the Cavaliers for a lot of the game, but UVA ultimately ends up getting the win in a close contest. Virginia 67, Oregon 63.
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