(photo: The Salt Lake Tribune)
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Season Record: 235-168-6
3/18 First Four Card:
Texas Southern Pick’Em
Wichita State Pick’Em
App State -2.5
Michigan State -1.5
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Texas Southern Pick’Em : What an impressive finish to the season it was for the Tigers. Knocking off two previously undefeated SWAC teams, Jackson State and Prairie View A&M, on their way to the conference title. While these were upsets and a bit shocking, Texas Southern is no slouch. They rank 34th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, and also are in the top tier of offensive rebounding teams in the country. In a close battle between 16 seeds in the First Four, we will hope that these statistics will be put to good use and that we come out with a W!
Score Prediction: Texas Southern 67 – Mount St. Mary’s 65
Wichita State Pick’Em : It was just reported that ShanQuan Hemphill is expected to play for Drake in this matchup. While this may have casual bettors running to the books to back the Bulldogs, I am going the other way. Inserting Hemphill back into the lineup after Drake has already been playing without him and Roman Penn for the last month is not a recipe for success during the tournament. While they didn’t have the option, playing Hemphill in a few games before the tournament could have reacclimated him into the rotation with time for everyone to get comfortable. Too many things will have to go right for that to be a success. Also, if you follow me you know my appreciation for Tyson Etienne for Wichita State. This do-it-all point guard is exactly the type of player you want leading your team into the big dance. He has proven that he can will them to a win over Top 10 Houston, and this Drake squad without Roman Penn will be no match. Give me the Shockers!
Score Prediction: Wichita State 71 – Drake 68
Appalachian State -2.5 : Faaaaade the MEAC. This is my favorite play of the night. I think the level of basketball this season in the MEAC was very below average from normal years. No matter who won this conference tournament, the team would have been a fade for me in a First Four matchup. Also, App State went through a lengthy Covid pause during the middle of the season, and came out of the other side stronger. The have won 5 out of their last 6 games, and stormed through a decent Sun Belt conference tournament in order to be playing on Thursday night. There is one player to keep your eye on for the Mountaineers. Senior, Michael Almonacy, is playing the best basketball of his career. He averaged 21.8 points and 6.5 boards in the four game conference championship run. This included shooting 20/39 from distance. Norfolk State will be playing catch up quickly if Almonacy stays on fire.
Score Prediction: App State 70 – Norfolk State 63
Michigan State -1.5 : This will be a very public play, but it is the right play. Tom Izzo is not someone to fade in March. Outside of the Maryland performance, Sparty has been playing great basketball. I like Mick Cronin and the guards for the UCLA, but the absences of Chris Smith and Jalen Hill will loom large again in this one. UCLA has lost four in a row, and it is mostly attributed to getting dominated down low. Cody Riley is the last line of defense in the post from the players we expected to get a lot of minutes at the beginning of this season. If he gets in foul trouble, the Bruins are down to Mac Etienne who is a 6’9 215lbs-ish freshman that should not have gotten thrown into this much action this season. I am sure he will be a fine player in the future, but he definitely needs some time in the system. Even if Riley is able to stay out of foul trouble, the offensive glass will be dominated by the Spartans if the Bruins roll with their standard 4 guard lineup. Sparty loves to attack the rim, and they will wear down an undermanned Bruins side in this one. UCLA might lead early, but Tom Izzo will move on in the end.
Score Prediction: Michigan State 71 – UCLA 66
Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!
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