Can anyone stop Gonzaga?
This sounds like a dumb question, but if you have watched Gonzaga at all this season, you know it is a fair one. Gonzaga has won all but one game by double digits (West Virginia is the only team to lose by under double digits), which is just insane. And it’s not like they have only played WCC competition; they have proven themselves against elite teams such as Kansas, Iowa, and Virginia, not to mention their tournament opponents. Gonzaga has a deep roster of guys who can not only shoot but defend really well, and play completely unselfish. The Zags are so hard to beat because even if you stop one of their best players, for example Corey Kispert, they still have Drew Timme, Jalen Scruggs, and a bench full of talented players to get them points. This Gonzaga team looks completely capable of becoming an undefeated National Champion.
Can USC use their size to slow down the Zags?
Led by the Mobley brothers, USC has completely dominated this tournament. Evan Mobley was the Pac 12 freshman and defensive player of the year and Isaiah is a powerful forward who is averaging about ten points a game. The Trojans are one of the largest teams in the country and this could be their key to keeping up with Gonzaga. Gonzaga’s Drew Timme usually is able to score so much because he is so big and powerful, but he will be matched up 7’0 Evan Mobley. This will be the first time this season for Timme that he is not the biggest guy on the court and Mobley has the skills to shut him down. However, even if Mobley can limit Timme that still leaves the rest of the Zags team to step up and score some points. I think USC can take advantage of their height to keep the game close, but they just don’t have what it takes to beat Gonzaga.
Will Isaiah Livers being out ever catch up to them?
Every single media outlet just wrote Michigan off before the tournament even started once they found out Isaiah Livers was going to be missing the tournament. I do not think most people expected Michigan to make it this far, let alone win the way they have been. But are we really that surprised? During the regular season the Wolverines dominated Big 10 play and were a top five team the entire season. The Wolverine have looked completely fine without Livers, with others players stepping up to fill in the gap. Michigan has looked good on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, so there are no questions there. I guess the only question I have for Michigan is if Isaiah Livers being out will eventually catch up to them? So far the answer is no, and I think they will make the final four pretty easily despite missing Livers.
How much longer will UCLA’s run last?
UCLA and Mick Cronin (sadly) have had a great run in this tournament. They overcame a double digit deficit in their play in game against Michigan State, steamrolled through their first weekend, and then won an overtime thriller against Alabama. Of course even with all this success Mick Cronin still is not happy; he says he is only focused on winning three more games because a National Championship ring is all that matters. UCLA has a pretty solid team, but I think this fairytale run is going to come to an end in abrupt fashion against Michigan. When you match the teams up, Michigan is so much bigger and stronger than the Bruins, and I doubt they can keep up.
Can Baylor shut down Arkansas’s runs?
Baylor had their first real test of the tournament last weekend when they went into halftime trailing Villanova, but dominated the second half and came out on top. Baylor’s Elite Eight competition, Arkansas, also has experience with coming back from being down. Arkansas has trailed by double digits in all of their tournament games so far. They have won their last two games by a combined four points. Arkansas can put up the points to play with the Bears, so Baylor needs to make sure they are playing tough defense and do not allow Arkansas to go on any large runs. If Baylor finds themselves with a double digit lead they need to lock up during that time and prevent Arkanas from getting back into the game, because if they do their offense makes them a real threat to take down Baylor.
Can Arkansas stop Baylor’s coveted trio of guards?
Baylor has the best guard trio in the country by far, made up of Jared Butler (first team All American), Macio Teauge (who went to Walnut!), and Davion Mitchell. If Arkansas wants to win this game they are going to have to limit this trio. If they can not limit these guys, they will be in big trouble, especially with their offensive rebound struggles. Arkansas is last in the SEC in offensive rebounds so if their shots are not going in this could put them in major trouble because it will give the ball back to Butler, Teauge, and Mitchell even more. If Arkansas can find a way to limit these guards they may have a shot of taking down the Bears.
Will Houston or Oregon State’s defense prevail?
Do not expect this game to be some high scoring, exciting, offensive matchup. Both of these teams have gotten here by playing tough defense and points will be hard to come by in this game. Houston shut down Syracuse’s Buddy Boeheim, and will need to do the same with Oregon State’s Ethan Thompson, who is averaging 20 points per game. Houston needs to keep the Beavers from the foul line because they have been terrific from there in this tournament. In a game where the tempo will be very slow and points will not be scored easily, free throws could end up having a huge impact on the final result. Oregon State is looking to become the first twelve seed ever to make the Final Four.
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