28-24-2 for the tournament trail, 1-2 last night. Here are this weekend's picks
Fresno State -1 This young Sienna team has really played well, especially at home. But... I just think Fresno is more talented and will again dictate tempo in this game. Sienna has had a nice run, but talent wins out here.
UConn +6.5 The Huskies are the hot team right now, and the real surprise of the tournament. But just like Kentucky, UConn was a top 10 pre/early season team that went south in the middle of the year. They have found their stride again in the post season, and Napier is showing everybody why he should be considered the best point guard in college basketball. Wilbekin will have something to say about that, and this will be a great match up to watch. But the game will be won inside, with the match up of Young and Daniels. Young is a beast and will rough up Daniels, but I expect Daniels length will cause him some problems as well. Also look out for Giffey. He has been quiet in this tournament, but his shooting against the Florida zone may open things up for Shabazz and Boatright to get to the rim. Florida wins, but UConn covers
Wisconsin +1.5 Each game in this tournament, some people would say that Kaminski would struggle with the long, athletic bigs he was going to face. There was no way he would be able to score the way he did and that he couldn't guard them down low. But each week he would get 20 and 2-3 blocks. I think Kentucky will struggle with him. He has a lot of experience and he is playing against players with a lack of experience. Kentucky's guard play is going to have to continue to shine, because to me, that is where the game will be decided. I like Wisconsin because they so many guys that can shoot. The X factor is Dekker. He is long and athletic and mobile. He will be a match up problem for the Wildcats. Kentucky can shut one guy down, maybe 2. But I think Wisconsin has too many shooters. If they can handle the pressure, they win.
Fresno State -1 This young Sienna team has really played well, especially at home. But... I just think Fresno is more talented and will again dictate tempo in this game. Sienna has had a nice run, but talent wins out here.
UConn +6.5 The Huskies are the hot team right now, and the real surprise of the tournament. But just like Kentucky, UConn was a top 10 pre/early season team that went south in the middle of the year. They have found their stride again in the post season, and Napier is showing everybody why he should be considered the best point guard in college basketball. Wilbekin will have something to say about that, and this will be a great match up to watch. But the game will be won inside, with the match up of Young and Daniels. Young is a beast and will rough up Daniels, but I expect Daniels length will cause him some problems as well. Also look out for Giffey. He has been quiet in this tournament, but his shooting against the Florida zone may open things up for Shabazz and Boatright to get to the rim. Florida wins, but UConn covers
Wisconsin +1.5 Each game in this tournament, some people would say that Kaminski would struggle with the long, athletic bigs he was going to face. There was no way he would be able to score the way he did and that he couldn't guard them down low. But each week he would get 20 and 2-3 blocks. I think Kentucky will struggle with him. He has a lot of experience and he is playing against players with a lack of experience. Kentucky's guard play is going to have to continue to shine, because to me, that is where the game will be decided. I like Wisconsin because they so many guys that can shoot. The X factor is Dekker. He is long and athletic and mobile. He will be a match up problem for the Wildcats. Kentucky can shut one guy down, maybe 2. But I think Wisconsin has too many shooters. If they can handle the pressure, they win.
, I've realized another factor about these games that I underestimated and that's the home court. Every call that is 50/50 is going against Fresno. It's just hard to overcome that.
