Breaking Down the Brackets: Upsets
March 19, 2008 Leave a Comment
In this preview, Barney and I reveal to you the upsets that we respectively believe will happen, as well as the ones everyone is predicting that are sure to go wrong.
Sure to Happen:
Barney: Villanova over Clemson is going to be one 12 over 5 this year. People are riding the Tigers wave just because of an impressive victory over Duke in the ACC Tournament semis. Nova is a lot deeper and more dangerous than anyone is giving them credit for.
C-LO: The St. Joseph’s Hawks will take down Oklahoma in the first round. St. Joe’s will be too strong in the middle with superstar Pat Calathes (a monster in the paint) who averages 17.5 ppg as well as 7.5 boards. He will be given assistance by Ahmad Nivins and Rob Ferguson who will push the Hawks into the second round for the first time since the ’04 team with Jameer Nelson and Delonte West. The Big 12 goes two teams deep (both of which i have in the Final Four), but that’s about it. That conference runs low on talent and the Sooners are no exception.
Won’t Take Place:
Barney: Western Kentucky has two players averaging over double digits in scoring. They have no big men and the lack of production from the low post will kill them against a Drake team that is loaded with talent. They have two great three point shooters in guard Josh Young and forward Jonathon Cox, and the Hilltoppers will struggle against their zone defense which led the MVC in turnover margin and was second in steals. As long as Drake can contain WK’s Courtney Lee they roll easily in a game that shouldn’t be close to start with.
C-LO: Like I said the other day, this a tournament of vengeance for the Butler Bulldogs. After proving all year that they were one of the top team’s in the nation, the committee slighted them with a 7 seed because of their mid-major status. Butler has a couple of unique scorers in senior guards A.J. Graves and Mike Green. With additional help coming from freshman Matt Howard and senior forward Pete Campbell, look for the Dogs to run all over team USA early and often.
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