Akron +7.5 (1.5 units) Akron ML +300 (0.5 unit) So much to say here. Shaka was an assistant under Dambrot at Akron from 2004-2006. They remain in contact and are intimately familiar with the opponent's respective playing styles. Now, as the entire free world knows, Alex Abreu is out. He's a big loss. Tremendous floor leader and passer. And yes, he's being replaced in the lineup by a freshman. Sounds like a recipe for disaster against HAVOC. Perhaps not, though.
The Zips are a veteran group with a skilled array of wings and athletes. Betancourt won't be on his own here, especially with Dambrot having five days to gameplan. The real issue for VCU, though, is on the offensive end. Akron does an excellent job of guarding the three-point line, which is where VCU derives a significant portion of its offense. With Zeke Marshall patrolling the paint, Akron defenders can be aggressive in guarding the line. Teams who have success against Akron generally have a stretch 4/5 guy who can pull him away from the basket. Reddic does not fit this description - his game does not extend past the paint. When VCU isn't hitting three's, the offense bogs down. Additionally, the scrambling style of the VCU defense often leaves them out of position on the defensive glass. Akron is 20th in the country in offensive rebounds and plays with solid structure on offense - second chances will be available aplenty.
Cal +9/New Mexico -4 (1 unit) Not a fan of the matchup for Harvard. The Lobos are just enormous inside with Kirk & Bairstow, and I'd hazard a guess that Tony Snell is the best defender Wesley Saunders has faced all year. Siyani Chambers is a future Ivy League POY, but he just hasn't seen defenses like this during the season. Amaker will have a plan - and the New Mexico offense is prone to bogging down - which is why I'm more comfortable with the tease down from the normal number.
For Cal, it's all about the guards. The Bears are a lot like Cincy in that the bigs disappear entirely from the offense for long stretches of time. There's no question Solomon and Kravish need to hold their own on the glass tonight to deal with the tenacity of Bennett inside. Fortunately, though, Cobbs & Crabbe are wholly capable of taking over games. Wallace has emerged (at times) as a viable third scoring option, and I think he'll have a big role tonight. The UNLV pace is actually an advantage here for Cal, IMO, as Berkeley's halfcourt offense isn't always fluid. Big advantage in the coaching department with Monty over Dave Rice.
Montana +13 (1 unit) Montana ML +775 (0.25 unit) Tough, tough defensive team and a grizzled (no pun intended ) coach in Tinkle who has experience with tourney teams. I wish Mathias Ward was in the lineup, as he would be a tremendous asset in the middle of the 'Cuse zone as a passer and jump-shooter. Nonetheless, Montana has a decorated floor general in Will Cherry who has the quickness & explosiveness to get into the gaps. There's a decent size mismatch, but the struggles of the 'Cuse offense to function in a halfcourt setting means I have to take a stab here with the disciplined and experienced underdog.
South Dakota State +11 (1 unit) Game has been beaten to death. No further comment needed.
Good luck, folks.
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Rest of 'em...
Akron +7.5 (1.5 units) Akron ML +300 (0.5 unit) So much to say here. Shaka was an assistant under Dambrot at Akron from 2004-2006. They remain in contact and are intimately familiar with the opponent's respective playing styles. Now, as the entire free world knows, Alex Abreu is out. He's a big loss. Tremendous floor leader and passer. And yes, he's being replaced in the lineup by a freshman. Sounds like a recipe for disaster against HAVOC. Perhaps not, though.
The Zips are a veteran group with a skilled array of wings and athletes. Betancourt won't be on his own here, especially with Dambrot having five days to gameplan. The real issue for VCU, though, is on the offensive end. Akron does an excellent job of guarding the three-point line, which is where VCU derives a significant portion of its offense. With Zeke Marshall patrolling the paint, Akron defenders can be aggressive in guarding the line. Teams who have success against Akron generally have a stretch 4/5 guy who can pull him away from the basket. Reddic does not fit this description - his game does not extend past the paint. When VCU isn't hitting three's, the offense bogs down. Additionally, the scrambling style of the VCU defense often leaves them out of position on the defensive glass. Akron is 20th in the country in offensive rebounds and plays with solid structure on offense - second chances will be available aplenty.
Cal +9/New Mexico -4 (1 unit) Not a fan of the matchup for Harvard. The Lobos are just enormous inside with Kirk & Bairstow, and I'd hazard a guess that Tony Snell is the best defender Wesley Saunders has faced all year. Siyani Chambers is a future Ivy League POY, but he just hasn't seen defenses like this during the season. Amaker will have a plan - and the New Mexico offense is prone to bogging down - which is why I'm more comfortable with the tease down from the normal number.
For Cal, it's all about the guards. The Bears are a lot like Cincy in that the bigs disappear entirely from the offense for long stretches of time. There's no question Solomon and Kravish need to hold their own on the glass tonight to deal with the tenacity of Bennett inside. Fortunately, though, Cobbs & Crabbe are wholly capable of taking over games. Wallace has emerged (at times) as a viable third scoring option, and I think he'll have a big role tonight. The UNLV pace is actually an advantage here for Cal, IMO, as Berkeley's halfcourt offense isn't always fluid. Big advantage in the coaching department with Monty over Dave Rice.
Montana +13 (1 unit) Montana ML +775 (0.25 unit) Tough, tough defensive team and a grizzled (no pun intended ) coach in Tinkle who has experience with tourney teams. I wish Mathias Ward was in the lineup, as he would be a tremendous asset in the middle of the 'Cuse zone as a passer and jump-shooter. Nonetheless, Montana has a decorated floor general in Will Cherry who has the quickness & explosiveness to get into the gaps. There's a decent size mismatch, but the struggles of the 'Cuse offense to function in a halfcourt setting means I have to take a stab here with the disciplined and experienced underdog.
South Dakota State +11 (1 unit) Game has been beaten to death. No further comment needed.
Montana has about the 6th worst defensive efficiency in the tourney. And that comes from playing in a weak conference.
(1) Efficiency is a relative statistic. The fact that they play in a weak conference is already accounted for.
(2) Will Cherry missed 11 games this year. He's the all-time leader in steals in Montana history (finished 6th in the nation last year). 1st Team Mid-Major Defensive team, too. Tremendous on-ball defender.
(3) Played the #10 non-conference SOS in the country (all without Cherry).
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Quote Originally Posted by Huskerdevil:
Montana has about the 6th worst defensive efficiency in the tourney. And that comes from playing in a weak conference.
(1) Efficiency is a relative statistic. The fact that they play in a weak conference is already accounted for.
(2) Will Cherry missed 11 games this year. He's the all-time leader in steals in Montana history (finished 6th in the nation last year). 1st Team Mid-Major Defensive team, too. Tremendous on-ball defender.
(3) Played the #10 non-conference SOS in the country (all without Cherry).
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