Some big games this weekend as Tourney Time approaches. Kentucky went down in Knoxville as Bruce Pearl, a BC alum, out coached John Callipari for a 74-65 win. Tennessee is an interesting team, 21 wins and 9 in Sec play, they have been somewhat inconsistent but play a brand of high energy basketball that is as unique as their coach. Another interesting team who lost today is Georgetown. Notre Dame, minus All American Luke Harangody, went into DC and beat the Hoyas handily 78-64. It has been hard to figure out the Hoyas who are capable of being a final four team when they play at their best. The same team that beat Villanova by 13 and Duke by 12 has lost to USF by 8 and Old Dominion. Looking forward to other games this weekend there are three big MAtch-ups of ranked teams that will determine conference tournament seeding and also have tournament seeding implications.
The huge game tonight between Syracuse, ranked number 4, and Villanova, ranked number 8, will be played against the largest regular season crowd in NCAA history. It is very possible that both of these teams could capture a number 1 seed in the tournament and I think this game is more crucial for Nova in that regard. The Wildcats have lost 2 out of their last 3 Big East games. Nova is a perimeter based team lead by Scotty Reynolds MAtch-up pretty well against the famous Cuse 2-3 zone. They will need to find scoring from someone off the bench or players like Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher. For Syracuse the key will be establishing Arinze Onuaku early and taking advantage of their strength inside. This team can beat you from many places by look for Iowa State transfer Wesley Johnson to have a huge game in front of the huge crowd. A key battle will be the fight on the glass I believe the team that controls the board with control the offense tempo and ultimately win the game. I see the Orange pulling it out in the Carrier Dome.
Out west it will be number 11 BYU against number 12 New Mexico. BYU is led by game changing guard Jimmer Fredette who is not only their leading scorer but leading assist MAn. For the Cougars it is essential he gets it going offensively and captains the BYU ship well. In perhaps the biggest game in conference history, which could propel one team to and number 3 or 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, having a rowdy home crowd behind them will help BYU immensely. New Mexico is personified by swing MAn Darington Hobson who can do so many things athletically he is a perfect leader in an uptempo Lobo attack. If he get deep into the BYU defense it will be hard for the Cougars to MAtch up with his intensity and athletic ability. It should be a wild one out west. I look for the Steve Alford led Lobos to come into Brigham Young and steal a victory.
The last key MAtch up yet to be played is Purdue versus Michigan State. Purdue survived a battle with Minnesota without Robbie Hummel, who is lost for the season with a torn ACL, but this game will be much harder to get through. E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson will have to shoulder more of the load without sharp shooter Hummel. The Spartans have lost 4 of their last 6 games and need this road win to build confidence for the Big Ten tournament and NCAA dance. Without Hummel's offense and defensive leadership I see Kalin Lucas and RayMAr Morgan imposing their wills on the game. Expect a low scoring physical Big Ten battle. I am picking Michigan State because I think Coach Tom Izzo will stress the importance of this game to his team and they will find a way to take advantage of a short handed BoilerMAker squad. NorMAlly I don't pick the road team in huge games but today after seeing ND dominate G-town I feel a like it could be a weekend for road warriors to emerge.
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