(1) Houston vs. (4) Purdue
Houston performed a model of basketball in spherical one which was typical, however their margin of victory in opposition to SIUE was what impressed me most. Bear in mind, I mentioned that that first spherical matchup might be nearer than anticipated. Boy was I incorrect. Houston almost doubled SIUE in factors in spherical one, after which beat Gonzaga by outscoring them. Their protection wasn’t excellent in opposition to the Zags, they let up 78 factors and let Zags star Andrew Nembhard get to his spots all recreation, however their offense was capable of get them a win right here. They hadn’t scored 81 factors in a recreation since a February 1st loss to Texas Tech. L.J. Cryer was their key, he dropped 30 factors on 50-50-100 taking pictures splits in opposition to an excellent Gonzaga group. Houston additionally had 4 guys in double figures, whereas Milos Uzman dished out 8 assists. General, I used to be impressed with the offensive prowess that complimented their typical hounding defensive type from the Cougars throughout weekend one, however is that offense sustainable after it hasn’t been excellent all season? Will that protection collapse to a superb and skilled Purdue group? We’ll see.Purdue was dominant throughout their first two video games within the paint. TKR was nice of their first-round recreation in opposition to Excessive Level, however his fixed dominance in opposition to McNeese was very spectacular. The Cowboys had been smoking scorching, they’d gained 23 out of their final 24 video games and have been coming off a primary spherical upset that had everybody considering they have been this 12 months’s Cinderellas. Purdue had none of that. It was an onslaught from the start. Purdue was dominant on the boards and TKR was the rationale why. Any time McNeese had a semblance of hope, TKR was there within the submit to get a simple two or seize an offensive rebound. Regardless of the departure of Zach Edey, Purdue remained dominant on the inside. Braden Smith didn’t play his greatest recreation in opposition to McNeese, he had 8 turnovers in opposition to the Cowboys, however his first spherical efficiency in opposition to HPU gained them that recreation. Will he proceed to be streaky within the second weekend? I doubt it. He’s skilled, TKR is a good participant and beating two groups who loads of people (myself included) had as their upset bids offers groups loads of momentum. Being doubted is what Purdue wished, and now we’ve seen that the doubt might have constructed a monster.
The matchup to look at right here will probably be Braden Smith and LJ Cryer, for my part. I do know that there will probably be loads of banging round within the submit, and the offensive rebounding from TKR will probably be big if Houston permits it to occur, however in the end these are two groups that NEED guard play to be at an elite degree to win this recreation. Will Braden Smith fold below the extreme strain from Cryer and firm on the wings and commit 5+ turnovers once more? Or will he be the calming information for the Purdue offense who will get them a win. It’ll come all the way down to how he handles that Houston strain that everyone knows is coming.
In my eyes, that is Houston’s recreation to lose. They’ve the protection, they’ve the offensive prowess, they’ve the dimensions… however this can be a recreation between two groups who’ve notoriously underachieved in March. The best way I see this recreation enjoying out is starting with a gradual begin. A low-scoring first half the place it’s anybody’s recreation. It stays that approach for the second half however with extra frequent backwards and forwards runs. Then, when it will get to crunch time, I need to choose the perfect gamers on the ground to make the massive performs. Present me Purdue in a good victory with massive contributions from TKR down the stretch.
(2) Tennessee vs. (3) Kentucky
Enjoyable reality: Loyola-Chicago and George Mason have extra males’s remaining 4 appearances than the Volunteers. Will that change this weekend? I’m not so certain. Their protection that options two of the finalists for the Naismith DPOY let Wofford grasp round for almost all of the sport within the opening spherical. The Vols by no means trailed on this recreation, in order that they have been by no means actually on upset alert, however permitting a 15 seed to shoot over 40% from three and outrebound you on the offensive glass isn’t supreme for Mick Cronin’s squad. Nevertheless, they bounced again in opposition to UCLA and their protection earned them a program-best third straight journey to the second weekend. There’s some vibrant spots and low spots for the Vols heading into this recreation. The darkish spots are that rebounding challenge in opposition to Wofford and their protection there. By the point this roster obtained to UCLA, they have been clearly locked in on that finish of the ground. Nevertheless, will a couple of days of relaxation enable them to proceed that momentum, or will it halt it? I can’t say. I’ll say that Chaz Lanier, who simply broke the Vols file for threes in a season, has been implausible for this group and might be their X-Issue for lastly breaking via to the ultimate rounds of this event.
Then again, the Wildcats have relied on their expertise to get wins this event. Koby Brea has been a flamethrower. One other enjoyable reality: the Wildcats haven’t seen a Candy 16 since 2019. Amari Williams has been a distinction maker on the glass and on protection for Kentucky as effectively. His rebounding numbers and blocks are what have allowed Kentucky to stifle each Troy and Illinois in key moments. The Illini held as much as their title of their second spherical recreation, and fought very onerous to maintain themselves shut with this roster. Nevertheless, Mark Pope’s defensive minded teaching in addition to the Wildcats’ depth was what pulled them forward throughout this recreation. Getting again to counting on their expertise, Kentucky gained this recreation with early spurts within the first half and second half, and so they by no means trailed throughout their underdog win in spherical 2. I believe what I’m most impressed with is that they weren’t favorited on this recreation and confronted an Xavier group who was smoking scorching, and snatched their souls instantly. It was a very spectacular exhibiting from the Cats, who I’ve profitable this recreation.
It’ll be one other battle of the guards on this one. I imagine that Chaz Lanier (pictured) and Otega Oweh will decide this recreation. Each are 6’4 guards who lead their groups in scoring and should play effectively to win this recreation. To this point in March, Lanier has been higher for his squad. Tennessee has leaned on him onerous. Nevertheless, Oweh has been the man for the Cats all 12 months in key moments. Each of those guys are excessive quantity tempo setters for elite rosters, the query is: who will dictate the tempo higher? Which one among these guys will do a greater job at making the correct play and hitting photographs when wanted? It might go both approach, however a duel between these two could be peak March Insanity, and I’m all right here for it.
Of their final matchup in Knoxville, Kentucky obtained one among their signature wins of the season there. I want to choose that to occur once more. I believe with Kentucky’s depth and their (in all probability) extra proficient roster they might get an upset right here. Nevertheless, I believe the Volunteers are only a higher group. I like their beginning line up greater than the Huge Blue Nation’s and I believe they’ll be capable to rebound as a group and hit will their approach via 40 minutes of basketball to a win.
Remaining 4 Prediction:
Relating to a matchup with Tennessee and Purdue, I actually just like the Vols lastly making it to the Remaining 4. Might the third time be the appeal? Perhaps. Perhaps it’s simply because they’re the most effective groups within the nation. I believe Purdue will get theirs and their high guys will play nice, however I see Tennessee being overwhelming all through the sport and I imagine in a battle of attrition, the Tennessee Volunteers will win the Midwest Area.
