Quote:
Originally Posted by jledou
Looking forward to the games starting back up tonight. Work is going to go sloooooowwwwww today!
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Hey, that's right! We get to see some hoops this evening.
Wisconsin vs. Syracuse = This is a very interesting match-up. The Badgers want to play a half-court game most of the time, and Boeheim's zone defense is made for that. But Wisconsin has size enough to shoot over the zone, and if they hit some shots it could be a problem for the Orange. And if they miss some shots, they also have the size to grab offensive boards for second chances, which is one of the inherent flaws of a zone. It is harder to box out an area than it is a specific player. On the other side of the court, the 'Cuse may suffer from not having their big man Melo in the paint, and if Jardine isn't scoopin' it into the bucket the Badgers will likely own that glass also . . . and they will run on you if you give them the chance. This may come down to the final few possessions.
Cincinnati vs. Ohio State = That brawl with Xavier seemed to have turned the Bearcats around, but I still don't think they are all that great a team. Yet although the Buckeyes have more talent, they too have had their problems. Kraft and Buford have been solid, if not outstanding, but Sullinger has not made a step forward from his freshman year . . . and perhaps has even taken a step back. Regardless, I truly can't see how Cincy can hang with THE OSU for a full forty minutes, and expect a 4 or 5 possession Buckeye win.
Louisville vs. Michigan State = In the other half of this Big East/Big Ten donnybrook, I see much the same thing. The Cardinals have both played very well and played like garbage, and as they've played well lately I can easily imagine it is time for Pitino's kids to start stinking up the joint again. The Spartans, however, have been much more consistent, and Green has shown a capacity to take over a game all by his lonesome. Yeah, I could be wrong about Louisville, but I don't think I'm wrong about MSU. Spartans, by double-digits.
Florida vs. Marquette = The situation here is about the same also, although I do believe the talent level is more even. The Gators have played very well of late, but lost a lot of games to teams they should have absolutely killed. As for the Golden Eagles, they were much more consistently a good team, even considering late stumbles in the penultimate regular-season visit to Cincy and their loss to Louisville early in the Big East tourney. Despite that, I have more confidence in what team I'll see from Marquette than I am of the one I'll see from Florida . . . but it is closer. Like with the Badger/Orange game, I feel this will go down to the final few possessions . . . unless, as has happened (by my count) in 6 of their 10 losses, Donovan's team does not bother to even make it out of the lockerroom. And yes, I am counting 2 of the 3 Ls to Kentucky there. Losing to this year's Wildcat team is no disgrace, but losing by 20 the first time and 15 the second is not much of a positive statement.
So there's you action today. I wish your team, whoever they may be, all the best of luck, and be sure to enjoy.