It's finals week (or close to it) for most college students, which blows. However, its Challenge Week for college basketball which presents two options. At best, it could be a nice study break. At worst? It could pose as a reason to go to a bar, watch the games, get too intoxicated and fail 3 out of 4 finals. Do as you please. Here are some of my picks and thoughts on this weeks games...
Shabazz Napier kicked off the week with a bang last night in #12 UConn's 65-64 win over #15 Florida.
Tuesday:
Indiana (6-1) @ #4 Syracuse (7-0) 7:15 PM ESPN
- I was down on 'Cuse at the beginning of the season, and I'm looking pretty shitty with that prediction right now. 'Cuse ran through the Maui Invitational capping it off with an impressive win over #20 Baylor in the championship. A nice surprise for the Orange this season has been Trevor Cooney (14 ppg) who is slowly turning me into a fan and CJ Fair (18 ppg, 6 rpg) is looking like he could be an ACC POTY candidate. Indiana's lone loss came a few weeks ago to UConn at MSG. Unfortunately, for the Hoosiers, UConn is the only respectable team they've played so far. Indiana does lead the nation in rebounds per game (50.3) led by freshman Noah Vonleh's 10 per game (Vonleh is also averaging 13 ppg). Their leading scorer is PG Yogi Ferrell (18 ppg) who at times has been erratic with his shooting. I like Syracuse in the Dome in this game. Syracuse 65 Indiana 57
#22 Michigan (5-2) @ #10 Duke (6-2) 9:00 PM ESPN
- Both teams have gone through pretty difficult schedules so far, especially Duke. Duke is coming off a loss in the Preseason NIT Championship to Arizona in a game I watched firsthand. Duke has its struggles against teams that have good size and a good point guard, two things Arizona had. Michigan struggles at PG, really missing Trey Burke. They've gotten limited production from the PG spot but, fortunately for them, Nik Stauskas has emerged as a consistent scorer from the 2 spot. Michigan's size will pose problems for Duke with Little Big Dog and Big Mitch , but Robinson III is likely to be canceled out by Jabari Parker. Parker and Rodney Hood (23 ppg and 20 ppg respectively) are arguably the best one-two punch in the country, but Duke will need production from others if they want to win against upper-echelon teams. I really like Michigan, but I think Duke responds after the loss to Arizona in a close one against the Wolverines. Big bucket from Parker late in a game that could replay in March. Duke 84 Mitch-igan 83
Notre Dame (5-1) @ #23 Iowa (7-1) 9:15 PM ESPN2
- Going with the upset in this one. Notre Dame is unranked after a home loss to Larry Legend's Indiana State a few weeks ago. However, this is a veteran team led by guards Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant who have been starters and contributors ever since they arrived 3 and 4 years ago. Iowa has had a nice start, suffering their only loss in overtime to Villanova in the Battle 4 Atlantis championship last week. Both teams' strengths are the other team's weakness so this should be an interesting match-up. Iowa is led by forward Roy Devyn Marble (17 ppg). Iowa is a good team, don't get me wrong, I think they'll make the tournament this year for the first time in a while, I just think the Irish steal one on the road tonight. Notre Dame 77 Iowa 75
Wednesday:
#8 Wisconsin (8-0) @ Virginia (7-1) 7:00 PM ESPN2
The Badgers are off to their best start in a while ranked #8. The fellas are following the typical Wisconsin blueprint of defense, three point shooting and grind-it-out wins. The Badgers are really balanced on offense with sophomore forward Sam Dekker probably their most talented player. Virginia suffered its only loss on the season a few weeks back at home to VCU on a late three. The Cavs have rattled off six straight since then. This won't be the most entertaining game to watch, but it will probably be close. I'm big on the Badgers this year so lets hope the boozebags keep it rolling. Wisconsin 67 Virginia 62
Maryland (5-2) @ #5 Ohio State (6-0) 7:00 PM ESPN
I don't really feel like writing about this game and not many people read this blog anyway so I'm gonna keep it short and sweet here. Ohio State 66 Maryland 58
North Carolina (4-2) @ #1 Michigan State (7-0) 9:00 PM ESPN
Both teams are really sketchy in their own ways. North Carolina: First they lose to Belmont; I say "fire Roy Williams". Then they beat then #1 ranked Lousiville; "they're going to the Final Four". THEN, they lose to UAB; "what the f**k?". It's just hard to figure this team out right now, let alone put any blind faith in them. James Michael McAdoo has gotten exponentially worse since two years ago and they don't know when they'll get PJ Hairston and/or Leslie McDonald back from suspension. The lone bright spot has been PG Marcus Paige who is averaging 21 ppg. Michigan State, although #1 in the country, has its own issues. Coach Tom Izzo recently benched starters Brandon Dawson, Adreian Payne and Keith Appling for the start of their last game for "skipping a class" (which I think is a little loosely worded). Also, their best player, guard Gary Harris sat out the same game for a sore right ankle. In the end, UNC issues > Michigan State issues. Izzo will have the boys playing good ball on their home court. Michigan State 78 North Carolina 63
Friday:
#3 Kentucky (7-1) @ #20 Baylor (7-1) 10 PM ET ESPN
A real hood match-up in Texas on Friday. Kentucky is arguably the most entertaining team to watch and Baylor straight raw talent. Baylor just lost to 'Cuse in the Maui chip and Kentucky beat an underrated Providence team at Barclays. Baylor is real balanced in scoring led by Cory Jefferson's 14 ppg and 9 rpg. Brady Heslip, who does not belong AT ALL on this team is averaging 13 ppg and shooting 52% from deep. He also averages an outstanding 0.5 assists per game. Julius Randle leads Kentucky (who's 4th in the country in rebounding) at 19 ppg and 11 rpg. The other freshmen are starting to contribute alongside Randle, which will help Kentucky down the road. Something tells me to take Baylor at home against an inexperienced, yet talented, Kentucky team but I'm gonna go with the youth. Kentucky 76 Baylor 70
Saturday:
BYU (6-2) @ #21 UMass (6-0) 1:30 PM CBSSN
Not really sure why I included this game, other than the fact that Chaz Williams pretty much single-handedly ruined my junior year of high school basketball. UMass, led by Williams (16 ppg, 6 apg), is relevant in the Top-25 for the first time since the Marcus Camby and John Calipari days. Cady Lalanne has been a force inside for the Minutemen averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds per game and could be an issue for a undersized BYU team. BYU is a team I love to watch. Filled with bonafide gunners, similar to when Jimmer was there, BYU is a team I would love to play for if I had a lot more talent and no desire to party or have any fun outside of basketball. Tyler Haws is one of the top scorers in the country (24 ppg, 5 rpg) and one that no one really knows about. Matt Carlino (19 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg) and Austin Collinsworth (11, 9 and 6 per game) both do a little bit of everything for the Mormons. I'm gonna take BYU in a high-scoring upset. Probably gonna be wrong on this one, but I gotta go with the fellas. BYU 86 UMass 82
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