I’m HYPED to go Bradley Center after all the rocking late games I watched. And I was so hyped Monday that I started a scouting report on each of the teams I’d get to see, starting with there info on ESPN.com.
But I never really got past ESPN. Here’s what I did do.
6) Boston College. ESPN.com page
How do they play? Inside scoring and rebounds.
Who’s the star? Craig Smith (1), overacheving Sophomore who doesn’t have physical skills but does the little things to keep him there. Jared Dudley (3) and Uka Agbai (0) also contribute.
Where’s the hole? In the middle! Their ESPN.com roster has no one listed as a center. They’ve got a 7’0″ PF on the bench that’s just at the edge of the rotation. No one on the team has a higher FT% than .750, and no one has more than 3 assists a game.
What’s the best chance for winning? Undersized team that won’t get out to a big lead – a slow pounding game, where BC’s fundamentals take advantage of the other teams wildness.
11) Utah ESPN.com page
How do they play? Outside shooting, living and dying. Lots of relying on Andrew Bogut (4) to grab the rebounds, and he nearly gets ten a game.
Who’s the star? Nick Jacobson (15), three point shooter (.453)
Where’s the hole? PF. They’ve got guys at SG they use at SF, and they’ve got Cs to grab the rebounds, but they’re not going to create something in the lane from a halfcourt set.
What’s the best chance for winning? Jacobson and Richard Chaney (13) need to be hot from outside, while Bogut cleans up the offensive glass.
3) George Tech. ESPN.com page
How did they get here? At large winner, with wins at Duke, and over UConn and Texas Tech in the preseason NIT.
How do they play? Defense. 8.8 steals a game is an obscenely high number. Lots of steals and forced turnovers. 3 guard lineup, with a center coming in off the bench.
Who’s the star? Jarrett Jack (3), PG, sets the tempo for the offense and creates it on defense, and manages to be the second best rebounder at 6’3″.
Where’s the hole? Rebounding. While it’s nice that Jack is that good at getting boards, it’s not a great sign that he’s what they have to rely on. If Jack can’t get the rebounds, the other team does.
What’s the best chance for winning? Team with inexperinced ball handler and little inside presence. Faster paced game works for them.
How did they get here? Won the MVC after knocking off SIU to end the regular season, then outlasting the team that knocked off SIU in the tournament (SMS) in a double overtime final.
How do they play? Balanced scoring, with four different players in double digit PPG. Though not particularly big for the MVC, got a lot of points on second chance oppurtinties.
Who’s the star? Ben Jacobson (12), who went nutty in the MVC tournament and gave them 26 in the title game.
Where’s the hole? As with any mid major, size. They make the most of what they have to spur the offense, but that may not be as easy against a bigger team from a bigger school. Not too deep.
What’s the best chance for winning? Shots going in, and plenty of time to get on them. Half court game is best, and they need to do a good job on the offensive boards.
6) Wisconsin ESPN.com page
How did they get here? Big Ten tournament winner, nearly a regular season co-champion. Don’t have a lot of non-confrence major wins.
How do they play? Ball control – don’t turn it over on offense, get it back on defense.
Who’s the star? Devin Harris (34), Big Ten Player of the Year. 20/4/4. Excellent PG.
Where’s the hole? Lack of scoring – Alando Tucker (42) is listed as a lot of PPG, but only played 4 games this season. They need a third scorer to compliment to Harris and Wilkinson (54)
What’s the best chance for winning? Low scoring game, with Harris not being checked by the opposition.
11) Richmond ESPN.com page
How did they get here? At large birth, barely. Win at Kansas is basically it.
How do they play? Best I can figure, Mike Skrocki (22) and Tony Dobbins (1) shooting from the outside. They’ll get 30+ minutes, with 8 other players splitting the rest of the time.
Who’s the star? Skrocki, who’s 16.1 PPG.
Where’s the hole? Dobbins, at 6″4′, is the primary rebounder. They don’t have size – their only center is 6’11” and 225! He must be nicknamed “bones.”
What’s the best chance for winning? Skrocki goes lights out crazy. Top three are seniors, so they’ve got nothing to lose and should be used to standing up to tough crowds.
14) UCF ESPN.com page
How did they get here? Won the Atlantic Sun! Couldn’t remember on Selection Sunday where they were from, but I guessed right. 25-5 record, but got stomped by Florida in the only real game they played.
How do they play? High scoring. 3 guys over 10 poinds, and Dexter Lyons (4) has gone over 25 in six times. 4 of 5 starters play nearly 30 minutes, so they’re not deep. Rare two centers lineup! Although both are 6’9″, I guess that’s a center in the A-Sun.
Who’s the star? Lyons.
Where’s the hole? Obviously depth. Lack of postive experience against top level competition.
What’s the best chance for winning? No one gets in foul trouble, opponents don’t have the defense to stop Lyons, centers get rebounds.
3) Pittsburgh ESPN.com page
How did they get here? At large, losing by 1 point to UCONN in the Big East Tournament Final.
How do they play? Really balanced scoring. Nearly 5 guys with 10 PPG.
Who’s the star? Carl Krauser (PG), 15PPG, 5RPG, 4PG. Even with their balance, he’s the key.
Where’s the hole? Not good behind either line? Sorta. Not much depth. They don’t have a true Center in the rotation, but they have three strong rebounders.
What’s the best chance for winning? No real foul trouble for them, no hot shooter for their opposition. They don’t have a lot of matchup holes, so they just need to play at their normal level.
Hey Cubs, I’ve made an intertextual homage to you in my Heat report and I don’t want you to think I’m simply stealing your good lines!
Love,
Justin
Shout outs are always welcome.
I guess it really was the last time Jindrak/Cade got to eat pizza together.