[providencefriars1Participant]

This is a huge day for college ball with many top 25 and bracketbuster games. I am going to catagorize some of the big games and add some of my analysis. So here we go:

Bubble watch- games that should be close that include teams on the bubble

Marquette at UConn- This is a huge game for UConn and one of their last chances to get another marquee win to help offset their recent struggles. UConn’s size will be a key in this game since Marquette likes to use a smaller lineup with Crowder at the four and Gardner and Jamil Wilson playing the five. Im picking Marquette with a close win.

Florida St at NCST- Florida St had an amazing comeback win on Thrusday, but will need its offense to get back on track. Both teams distribute the scoring between many players and this is seriously anyone’s game. NCST could get in the field with a win here since they have beat the teams they should beat but have no real quality wins. Their best wins are against bubble companions Texas and Miami.

Tennessee at Bama- Bama is in a huge tailspin which could get even worse with the suspensions of their two best players Tony Mitchell and JaMychal Green. Look for Bama’s freshman to step up scoring wise and upperclassmen Releford to have a big presence. As for Tennessee, their bubble hopes are pretty much over but they can play spoiler to Bama.

Arizona at Washington- Both of these teams sit squarely on the bubble in a very weak Pac-12 conference. The talent is there for the Wildcats and Huskies but inconsistency has plagued them all season. Player to watch for Washington is Terrence Ross, if he can get going shooting the ball it could be a long night for Zona. Conversely, Zona’s best player Solomon Hill doesnt need to score the ball to put his mark on the game. He contributes in all catagories and should be the centerpiece of the offense playing both forward spots.

Seton Hall at Cinnci- These two teams are on the good side of the bubble but a win here would do wonders for their tourney resume. Watch the matchup between the PG’s Jordan Theodore and Cashmere Wright as well as the centers Herb Pope and Yancy Gates. Im saying Cinnci by 4.

Minnesota at Northwestern- Perhaps the biggest bubble game of the day because only one of these teams is getting in and its probably the winner. John Shurna and Rodney Williams will need to have big performances today if they want to go dancing.

Games of the day- Three major games today that you want to catch

Ohio St at Michigan- Ohio St will look to throw inside and take advantage of their size and post player Jared Sullinger. Michigan wants Tim Hardaway to take over and lead them to a big upset at home.If Michigan hits the three ball they will definitely be in the game.

UNLV at New Mexico- UNLV will have a hard time today playing in one of the best home venues in the country and against one of the country’s most underrated teams. Chase Stanbeck and Mike Moser will look to stop UNLV’s skid but I have the Lobos in this one. Expect this game to be a highly intense, down to the wire rock fight that you do not want to miss.

St Mary’s at Murray St- Two of the best truly mid major teams in the country. Both are led by great PG’s in Isaiah Canaan and Matthew Dellavedova and could really use this win to cement their bid. Both of these teams could be very dangerous come March so you better watch this one as well for some help for your bracket.

Bracket Buster games- Get a look while you can at some of these mystery teams

Drexel at Cleveland St- They could get a 12 or 13 seed and statistically the 5vs12 matchup has had the greatest chance at an upset. Cleveland St has lost a few games of late but Drexel has been surging in the four team race in the CAA.

Wichita St at Davidson- I have seen the Shockers earlier in the season and they were impressive so I cant wait to see what they look like now. Davidson has some nice wins this year so dont write them off even though they arent the Davidson of the Curry era. A strong finish could give Davidson an at large bid.

Akron at Oral Roberts- Ive seen Akron a few times but have never seen Oral Roberts. These guys are looking at 14 or 15 seeds so them winning a first round game is unlikely but they each have a star player. In Akron’s case, 7’0” Zeke Marshall and SF Domonique Morrison for Oral Roberts.

Nevada at Iona- Rare that you would see six prospects in a game like this but Glover, Machado, MoMo, Czyz, Hunt, and Burton all deserve a look. Not to mention Nevada’s top shooter and breakout player Malik Story. Look for this to be a high flying and exciting game.

Long Beach at Creighton- Creighton needs to right the ship with a win and LBSU adds another quality game to an already crazy schedule. Look for this game to go down to the wire also. Casper Ware vs Doug McDermott.

 

Well that wraps up today’s game with March Madness only a few weeks away I know im not the only one who cant wait.

[llperez]

Arizona(19-8) vs washington(18-8) is a big game in the pac 12 for sure. Both teams are chasing Cal(21-6) right now and trying to improve their resume.

Personally im looking forward to the bruins going to MSG and beating St Johns this afternoon. UCLA beat them last year at pauley in a great game and its always fun to see john lavin back in coaching taking on his former school. Neither team is going anywhere relevant this season, but the Bruins at 15-11 are playing significantly better then their 1-4 start to the season and the Wear twins are looking great and pg Lazeric Jones is the mvp of the team playing really well.

[cuseflynn10Participant]

Marquette doesn’t like to use a smaller lineup, they have to use a smaller lineup. I believe they have a guy that is 6’11 that got hurt for the season. That left Gardner at 6’8 as their tallest option and Jamil Wilson at 6’7 as their second tallest.

 

6’6 Crowder, and 6’2 DJO have carried this team. I was going to make a new topic on how these two guys are extremely underrated. You take one of these 2 guys of the team and you have a team hovering around 500 at best. You take both these guys off and their at the bottom of the Big East.

 

As for the game, I think UCONN realizes they need to build up their resume. They really need to win and have major height advantages down low. Throw in Lamb, Boatright, and Napier, and I think UCONN could pull of this upset. I say Connecticut 75 – Marquette 68, mainly because of the height mismatch down low. Drummond and Oriakhi need to play well if they want to win.

[EuroBallParticipant]

Big win against  SDSU and now UNLV back to back top 25 wins. Drew Gordon had a monster 20/20 game. His stock is on the rise and will take a rise come tournament if he contunues his play. The guy got first round talent in him.

New Mexico is my sleeper team.

[JoeWolf1]

 Shockers rolled today, they are a very good defensive team with a legit 7 footer.  I wouldn’t want to run into them in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

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