UNC (-5) over MSU
Junior point guard vs freshman, edge goes to UNC. Felton has to play well and stay out of foul trouble, he should be able to pick pockets all game. Both teams have strong reliable bigmen and both teams have the ability to run the tempo up. MSU will play more physical, but the depth of UNC will be too much. Two great coaches and game planers, but in the end my play comes down to talent level. Still MSU out rebounded and caused turn overs against Duke, they will not out rebound UNC. Both teams will try to get the ball inside. MSU has some players that come off the pine but not nearly the caliber that UNC has, so when the starters are resting UNC has the edge. Credit to the MSU team and what they have done but the heels are rested and ready and should take this one.
UL (+3) over Illni
The Illini shoot 40 percent from 3-point range, led by Brown's 45 percent and Head's 41. This hurts the ability for Louisville to use their zone defense. Both teams have great big men but Louisville has tenacity when rebounding which should give them the edge on the glass. Dean is a great 3 point shooter, but he cannot do this alone. Garcia will have to have a great game for Louisville to hang in to the end. The biggest weakness for the Illini is usually interior defense, O'Bannon and Placaios(sp) have to play big. The Cardinals limit teams to 38.6 % shooting. Sloppy ball handling could be an issue for Illni that will struggle with the press. They have great guards but they make bad decision, and against Louisville that will lead to points. Louisville has the perimeter balance necessary to counter Illinois' trio of Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head. 45.7 points per game from Francisco Garcia, Taquan Dean and Larry O'Bannon is nearly four points per game MORE than the Illini get from their trio. This game will come down to who counters the others defense first, still Louisville has the talent to hang in and in my opinion win.
All in all 2 great games
Cheers
Irish
Junior point guard vs freshman, edge goes to UNC. Felton has to play well and stay out of foul trouble, he should be able to pick pockets all game. Both teams have strong reliable bigmen and both teams have the ability to run the tempo up. MSU will play more physical, but the depth of UNC will be too much. Two great coaches and game planers, but in the end my play comes down to talent level. Still MSU out rebounded and caused turn overs against Duke, they will not out rebound UNC. Both teams will try to get the ball inside. MSU has some players that come off the pine but not nearly the caliber that UNC has, so when the starters are resting UNC has the edge. Credit to the MSU team and what they have done but the heels are rested and ready and should take this one.
UL (+3) over Illni
The Illini shoot 40 percent from 3-point range, led by Brown's 45 percent and Head's 41. This hurts the ability for Louisville to use their zone defense. Both teams have great big men but Louisville has tenacity when rebounding which should give them the edge on the glass. Dean is a great 3 point shooter, but he cannot do this alone. Garcia will have to have a great game for Louisville to hang in to the end. The biggest weakness for the Illini is usually interior defense, O'Bannon and Placaios(sp) have to play big. The Cardinals limit teams to 38.6 % shooting. Sloppy ball handling could be an issue for Illni that will struggle with the press. They have great guards but they make bad decision, and against Louisville that will lead to points. Louisville has the perimeter balance necessary to counter Illinois' trio of Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head. 45.7 points per game from Francisco Garcia, Taquan Dean and Larry O'Bannon is nearly four points per game MORE than the Illini get from their trio. This game will come down to who counters the others defense first, still Louisville has the talent to hang in and in my opinion win.
All in all 2 great games
Cheers
Irish
