The opening day of this NCAA Tournament provided great drama and fantastic finishes. The 16 teams who survived the madness will be back on the floor today to determine the first half of the Sweet 16. Picks for today’s action:
The opening day of this NCAA Tournament provided great drama and fantastic finishes. The 16 teams who survived the madness will be back on the floor today to determine the first half of the Sweet 16.
Picks for today’s action:
Kentucky (4) vs. West Virginia (5)
The Wildcats barely survived their opening-round nightmare of a matchup with a two-point win over Princeton. Despite scoring just 59 points, they actually played a pretty efficient game. They shot 51 percent from the field (24-of-47) and were 5-of-11 from three-point range. Plus, their best player had his worst game of the season. Point guard Brandon Knight, who averages 17 points a game, had only two on 1-of-8 shooting.
They were two huge points, though — the game-winning scoop shot with 2 seconds to play. He won’t be held to that output again and Josh Harrelson (15 points, 10 rebounds, four steals) has become a nightmare to match up with. The Mountaineers didn’t take control of their game until late, playing a Clemson team that had played another game and flown from Ohio to Florida in the previous 36 hours. That doesn’t bode well.
Pick: Kentucky
Florida (2) vs. UCLA (7)
The Gators aren’t world beaters, but the Bruins’ confidence has to be shaken after the way they finished their first game. UCLA had a 23-point lead with eight minutes to play against Michigan State and saw it dwindle to a single point in the final minute. Their eventual victory was a relief, not a celebration or confirmation of anything special. Florida is coming off a blowout win and should do the same today.
Pick: Florida
Richmond (12) vs. Morehead State (13)
The 12-13 matchups don’t come along too often. Richmond has been historically great as an underdog, but not so great as a favorite. The Spiders knocked off Vanderbilt on Thursday, a team that is now firmly entrenched as a perennial tournament disappointment. They waited for their opportunity and took advantage of Vandy’s tightness. Morehead State simply outplayed Louisville in its shocker. It was a game that could have gotten away from them, but never did. MSU also features by far the best player in the game, Kenneth Faried, who picked up his 28th double-double of the season in the win. His Eagles will be around for the second week.
Pick: Morehead State
San Diego State (2) vs. Temple (7)
If the Aztecs are for real, they’ll roll in this game. Temple doesn’t have the offensive game to keep up with the SDSU style. If the Owls can impose their tempo, it could be a competitive game for a period of time, but San Diego State appears ready to prove it is a legitimate title threat with a big win.
Pick: San Diego State
Pittsburgh (1) vs. Butler (8)
There is every reason to think this will be a tight game, which Butler could win. The Bulldogs got a good test in the opening game against Old Dominion, a team that mirrors much of Pittsburgh’s strengths. The Bulldogs managed to overcome their size disadvantage and even won the game with an offensive rebound, while going against the best rebounding team in the nation. That should give them plenty of confidence, while they have already shown the ability to pull out close wins. The leadership provided by Matt Howard — who seems to get better every week — is invaluable. Pitt has all the components of a team likely to get upset early, as we see that the Big East may not be all it’s been cracked up to be. Why can’t Butler carry some 2010 magic into 2011?
Pick: Butler
Brigham Young (3) vs. Gonzaga (11)
This should be a fascinating game and another contrast in styles. Though neither is a true up-and-down team, the Zags are very balanced and execute their offense exceptionally well. With eight players who average between 4.4 and 13.8 points, the defense can’t key on anybody. The same cannot be said for BYU, with the country’s top scorer in Jimmer Fredette (27.9 ppg). He is the main cog for the Cougars and never “out of range.” Obviously, the continued absence of big man Brandon Davies hurts BYU’s long-term chances, but Fredette is good enough to will his team into the second week, as long as backcourt mate Jackson Emery provides the strong production he typically does.
Pick: BYU
Wisconsin (4) vs. Kansas State (5)
The Badgers obviously didn’t like how many people told them they would lose to 13th-seeded Belmont in their opener, so they took a sizable lead and left no doubt about their legitimacy. K-State clamped down defensively while struggling to score in the first half against Utah State, then came alive in the second half behind senior Jacob Pullen. It could get ugly in this one, with a low final score very likely. Both clubs are gritty and don’t give up easy buckets. But the Wildcats have been a little too unpredictable all season long. We are more familiar with what to expect from Wisconsin, both offensively and defensively, so coach Bo Ryan gets the nod.
Pick: Wisconsin
Connecticut (3) vs. Cincinnati (6)
Cincinnati pounded Missouri in its opener, while UConn completely dismantled a solid Bucknell team. These two Big East squads played once in the regular season, with UConn coming away with a 67-59 road victory. The Bearcats had been flying under the radar and seemed to be a potential sleeper for March, but now looking back at their resume, there may not be as much substance as first thought. Cincy’s five wins against RPI top-50 teams were Xavier, St. John’s, Louisville and Georgetown twice. Three of those teams got blown out in the first round and Louisville fell to a 13-seed. The Huskies showed no signs of fatigue Thursday, coming off their run of five wins in five days for the Big East title, so thinking it would hit them today seems to be a reach. Kemba Walker should keep his amazing stretch going into the second week.
Pick: UConn
