Another night, another great night of March basketball. Derrick Williams was the best player on any court, period. Kemba was Kemba. Jimmer was not Jimmer. And Butler does what they do. Win. Ronald Norad and Mo-mo Jones, the unsung heroes. Coach K was out-coached. And Jeremy Lamb may have played his way right out of UConn and into the NBA draft. With all that said, we have four more games tonight! Let’s go…
Richmond v. Kansas:
I was a big proponent of the Spiders’ squad coming into this season. They have two legitimate pro prospects in Kevin Anderson and Justin Harper. After the preseason hype, it was made out to be a bad season, but Chris Mooney’s team is 29-7. Unfortunately, they have to play Kansas. And, although I would love to see both they and VCU win so I could travel to Richmond for the ‘Battle for the ‘Cap” and a trip to the final four, I just don’t see it. Kansas has been upset quite a bit recently in the tournament, and tend to play down to non-bcs opponents. I just think the Jayhawks are too deep for the Spiders to handle. I like Kansas to win the game, but I would take the 11 points and Richmond if I was still in Vegas. Betting pretzels, of course.
Marquette v. North Carolina
The Tarheels are long and athletic. The Eagles are stout and tough. I love this matchup as a basketball fan. Buzz Williams of Marquette called his namesake, Roy, a lion to his house cat. Don’t be fooled. Marquette will come to play. The key to this game will be Marquette’s ability to control UNC’s transition offense. Playing in Newark, NJ, somehow I think helps make this game a pit fight. I like Marquette to move on, and definitely give me the 5 points.
VCU v. FSU
Not the matchup most expected at this point in the region, but each team is here for one specific reason. VCU has been on fire! They didn’t just upset Georgetown and Purdue. The Commodores won by 18 points in each game after beating USC by 13. The key to this game to me is VCU’s ability to use their drag screen offense in their secondary break to get open 3′s against the long and athletic FSU defense. Chris Singleton coming back changes the Seminole squad. I think VCU gets killed on the boards, and FSU moves on. But I would take the 5 points and VCU.
Kentucky v. Ohio State
Clearly, the premier matchup tonight. To me, this game is a mismatch. I think Aaron Craft can give Brandon Knight fits. I think Terrence Jones will struggle either on the perimeter versus Buford or Lighty, or in the post against Sulli. Lighty, Sulli, Buford, Craft, Deebs, etc, will just be too much for the Wildcats. I’ll take the Buckeyes all day, and gladly lay the 6 points.
After last night, it is hard to expect anything less. One step closer to the final four and one more chance for names to be made. I can not wait!
