Seton Hall at Louisville
For Louisville entering this game against Seton Hall, they will have one of the best backcourt duos in David Johnson and Carlik Jones. Furthermore, the Seton Hall perimeter defense will be critical in this game with needing Myles Cale to elevate his game. Additionally, the health of Bryce Aiken will be important for Seton Hall’s long term potential and in this game with his ability to control a game. Furthermore, an area where Seton Hall can attack Louisville will be with Sandro Mamukelashvili with injures to the frontcourt of Louisville.
Next, the wings for both teams will be really important in this game with Takal Molson for Seton Hall and Samuell Williamson for Louisville. Continuing, Charles Minlend could be a factor giving Louisville additional scoring to the already very good perimeter of Louisville. This is a game where both teams have injury concerns and need to build continuity, but Johnson and Jones will be too much for Seton to handle.
Matchup to Watch: Louisville’s Frontcourt vs Sandro Mamukelashvili
Prediction: Louisville 75 Seton Hall 68
LSU at Saint Louis
Saint Louis will have a tremendous opportunity to add a very good win against a good LSU team. Furthermore, for Saint Louis in this matchup, Hasahn French will need to take advantage of an inexperienced frontcourt for LSU. Furthermore, the guard battle in this game will be really good with Ja’Vonte Smart and Javonte Perkins who both can score at a high level with really good size. Next, the matchup for LSU that could be a problem for Saint Louis is defending Trendon Watford with his size.
Additionally, the secondary scoring in this game will be crucial with players like Cam Thomas, Charles Manning for LSU, and Fred Thatch, Yuri Collins for Saint Louis. Now, Saint Louis has one of the best perimeter defenders in the country with Jordan Goodwin and will be assigned Smart. This will be a very competitive game, but French will be too much for LSU and they will come away with a signature win.
Matchup to Watch: Jordan Goodwin’s Defense vs Ja’Vonte Smart
Prediction: Saint Louis 73 LSU 70
Boise State vs (17) Houston
Boise State has the ability to be the best team in the Mountain West Conference with one of the better players in college basketball in Derrick Alston Jr. Alston Jr. will be a tough matchup for Houston with his size and not having a true to match up with him. Next, Emmanuel Akot the transfer from Arizona will be another tough matchup for Houston with his size and athleticism he will bring. Now, Houston will pose the ability to play multiple guards at once who can take over the game.
Quentin Grimes and Marcus Sasser’s scoring ability gives Houston a potent perimeter. Additionally, the interior matchup of Brison Gresham and Mladen Armus will be a determining factor in this game. The defense of Houston will be a difficult task to break with the consistency of Kelvin Sampson’s teams each year. This will be a compelling game but the experience and continuity of Houston will defeat Boise State.
Matchup to Watch: DeJon Jarreau Defense vs Derrick Alston Jr.
Prediction: Houston 73 Boise State 63
(14) Texas Tech vs (17) Houston
This will be a very competitive game with the focus of both teams being build off their defensive identity. Guard battles in this game will be tremendous with both teams having multiple guys to go with. Mac McClung for Texas Tech scoring matching Marcus Sasser of Houston will be intriguing. Also, the ability for Texas Tech to depend on many scoring options with Kyler Edwards and Terrance Shannon Jr. having experience makes Texas Tech challenging to match up against. Additionally, the frontcourt of this game could have an important factor in this game with Brison Gresham against Marcus Santos-Silva.
Continuing, the ability to control the boards in this game will be important to determine the outcome of this game. The depth of Texas Tech could give them the edge in this game and Houston not having Caleb Mills makes them less potent offensively. Texas Tech has more offense than a year ago and will always defend which will outlast Houston in this game.
Matchup to Watch: Brison Gresham vs Marcus Santos-Silva
Prediction: Texas Tech 76 Houston 67
Richmond at (10) Kentucky
Kentucky will have their first test against a Richmond team that has NCAA tournament aspirations under Chris Mooney. Now, the guards of Kentucky will need to play at a high level. Devin Askew leads the way against the veteran guards of Jacob Gilyard and Blake Francis. Additionally, for Kentucky, B.J. Boston and Terrance Clarke will need to take advantage of their size and athleticism against a smaller Richmond perimeter.
Now, the most intriguing matchup will be Olivier Sarr against Grant Golden. Golden has the ability to be out on the perimeter and has good passing ability. Furthermore, the ability for Kentucky’s defense to defend the Princeton offense of Richmond will be difficult with their youth on defense. The most important player for Richmond in this game could be Tyler Burton and his ability to defend B.J. Boston and Terrance Clarke. Overall the depth and talent of Kentucky will overcome the experience of Richmond.
Matchup to Watch: Olivier Sarr vs Grant Golden
Prediction: Kentucky 76 Richmond 69
Images Courtesy of, Saint Louis University, Texas Tech Athletics, University of Louisville Athletics
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles written by other great TGH writers along with James!
“From Our Haus to Yours”
