East Regional, Newark; 2 games
Numbers are seeds in region not rankings
No.11 Marquette (22-14) vs. No.2 UNC (28-7); 6:15, CBS
Marquette Key players:
Darius Johnson-Odom: 16 ppg; 3.9 rbg
Jimmy Butler: 15.8 ppg; 6.1 rbg
Joe Crowder: 11.8 ppg
69.5% FT team
North Carolina:
Harrison Barnes: 16.5 ppg; 5.7 rbg
Tyler Zeller: 16.2 ppg; 7.1 rbg
John Henson: 11.9 ppg; 10.1 rbg
FT team: 67%
Analysis: I kind of see the same thing happening to UNC that happened to Duke last night. They’re playing an aggressive group of fighters who are relentless and hungry. Carolina gets a little soft some times and this team they’re playing is a tough, physical bunch. I like the Golden Eagles to pull off the upset in this one.
Prediction:Marquette 76, UNC 70
No.1 Ohio State (34-2) vs. No.4 Kentucky (27-8); 8:45 CBS
Ohio State Key Players:
Jared Sullinger: 17.1 ppg; 10 rbg; 54 field; 70% FT
William Buford: 14.6 ppg; 4 rbg; 60-135 3’s (roughly 45%) 83% FT
Jon Diebler 12.6 ppg; 110-220 3’s (50%); 83% FT
David Lighty: 12.1 ppg; 50-115 3’s (43%)
Aaron Craft: 175 assists
Team FT: 70%
Kentucky:
Brandon Knight: 17.4 ppg; 78-203 3’s (38%); 142 assists; 80% FT
Terrence Jones: 16.1 ppg; 8.7 rbg
Doron Lamb: 12.6 ppg; 61-130 3’s (46%)
Darius Miller: 11.2 ppg; 54-121 3’s (45%)
Josh Harrelson: 7.3 ppg; 8.8 rbg; 129 offensive rebounds
FT Shooting team: 71%
Analysis: I’m going completely against the grain on this one. Ohio State is many people’s pick to win it all and they’re loaded. But Kentucky basketball, to me, is a lot like Alabama football. When they’re a heavy underdog they seem to step up to the plate. Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb are all exceptional players and Josh Harrelson is the best rebounder in college basketball; at least on the offensive glass. Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins are solid players, too. If Kentucky can defend the three, Harrelson holds his own in the paint with Sullinger and they shoot it well from trifecta, I like the ‘Cats to pull off a big upset. Also like John Calipari over Thad Motta in the coaching aspect of the game.
Prediction: Ky 82, Buckeyes 78
Southwest Regional: San Antonio; Two games
No.1 Kansas (34-2) vs. No.12 Richmond (29-7); 6:27, WTBS
Kansas Key players:
Marcus Morris: 17.3 ppg; 7.4 rbg
Markeiff Morris: 13.9 ppg; 8.3 rbg
Tyrel Reed: 9.8 ppg
Tyshawn Taylor: 9.3 ppg. 4.5 assists per game
Josh Selby: 8.1 ppg
Brady Morningstar: 7 ppg; 3,3 rbg
68% FT team
Richmond:
Justin Harper: 17.9 ppg; 7 rbg; 73-157 3’s (46%) 54% field; 78% FT
Kevin Anderson: 16.5 ppg; 67-157 3’s (43%); 111 assists; 74 % FT
Dan Geriot: 9.9 ppg; 3.8 rbg; 32-76 3’s (42%)
69% FT team
Analysis:
Richmond’s marksmanship may keep them in the game. They can really shoot it. But stopping the Morris twins is just too much to ask for a team that is undersized. Richmond should give the Jayhawks a good game, but like the Morris brother to carry the Jayhawks to the Elite Eight on Sunday.
Prediction: Kansas 70, Richmond 64
No.11 Virginia Commonwealth (26-11) vs. No. 10 Florida State; 8:57, WTBS
VCU Key players:
James Skeen: 15.2 ppg; 7.3 rbg
Bradford Burgess: 14.1 ppg; 6.4 rbg
Joey Rodriguez: 10.7 ppg; 3.3 rbg; 185 assists
Brandon Rozzell: 11.6 ppg
Florida State:
Derwin Kitchen: 10.6 ppg; 5.6 rbg
Analysis: This may not seem to be a great matchup, but it really is. VCU has been impressive beating USC, Georgetown and Purdue convincingly. They’ve got a good team and they put up some pretty good numbers offensively. Florida State has beaten Texas A&M and Notre Dame to get here. The Notre Dame win was convincing. This should be a good matchup, but I like the way VCU is playing a little better than Florida State. Not much.
Prediction: VCU 68, FSU 66