(10) Oregon at (5) Michigan
Michigan is looking to add to their impressive start with wins over North Carolina and Gonzaga. Further, this matchup will be a battle of great point guards with Zavier Simpson against Payton Pritchard. For Michigan, the perimeter of Livers and Dejulius will be key in scoring and shooting effectively from the perimeter. As well as, Eli Brooks needs to deliver on both ends against Will Richardson and Chris Duarte. In addition, Jon Teske and Franz Wagner will be very important against the length of Oregon’s frontcourt.
For Oregon, Payton Pritchard will need to have success on Zavier Simpson on both ends to establish the tempo. Also, Duarte will need to use his size against a smaller Brooks and hunt his shot. The Oregon frontcourt will need to contain Jon Teske with Francis Okoro and C.J. Walker. Oregon must be able to use its length and athleticism defensively to disrupt the flow of Oregon’s offense. The home court of Michigan will be key in this matchup giving Michigan the edge in this game.
Prediction: Michigan 82 Oregon 78
Syracuse at Georgetown
The former Big East rivals have an opportunity to renew the rivalry Saturday.
Now as for Syracuse, when Elijah Hughes and Buddy Boeheim are consistently making threes Syracuse becomes a very dangerous team. Furthermore, the frontcourt must elevate their game against Yurtseven with Bourama Sidibe must play well. In addition, Marek Dolezaj will need to be productive in especially with scoring and rebounding. The key for Syracuse is for Joe Girard to play well as their primary ball-handler. The depth will be a factor in this game and the 2-3 zone will give troubles to Georgetown.
Prediction: Syracuse 69 Georgetown 63
(13) Memphis at (18)Tennessee
The battle over the state of Tennessee should be a very entertaining matchup.
The Memphis team has performed well in the absence of James Wiseman. Their success has been with Precious Achiuwa with his energy to ability to defend, score and crash the boards. Also, the backcourt play with Boogie Ellis’ ability to make perimeter jumpers is huge for Memphis. In addition, D.J. Jefferies has been extremely effective and produced major minutes in the absence of Wiseman. Also, the play of Alex Lomax and Tyler Harris has provided stability to the backcourt.
Tennessee’s success is predicated with Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden who have really good length and great scoring ability. In addition, Yves Pond will need to have a very good game in containing Jefferies and Achiuwa. As well as, John Fulkerson will need to provide scoring and defense for the frontcourt. In addition, Josiah Jordan-James will bring a physical advantage for Tennessee against the Memphis backcourt. The veteran and size of the Tennessee backcourt will be too much for Memphis in this game.
Prediction: Tennessee 76 Memphis 69
(6) Gonzaga at (15) Arizona
This will be a high-level game between the two best teams on in the west.
As for Arizona, they will need their freshman to play very well. This starts with Nico Mannion who must score and distribute at a very high level. Next, Josh Green will need to play well against Corey Kispert defensively and Zeke Nnaji needs to contain the Gonzaga big men. Furthermore, they will need additional scoring to their backcourt with Max Hazzard and Dylan Smith. Next, Jeter will need to continue to play well on both ends to match the play of Gonzaga’s bigs. The inside presence of Gonzaga will be too much for Arizona to handle in this game.
Prediction: Gonzaga 78 Arizona 70
Oklahoma State at Houston
Oklahoma State and Houston are continuing to build consistent success with their rosters.
Houston has a very strong backcourt with Quentin Grimes leading the way as the primary scorer. Also, Nate Hinton and Dejon Jarreau need to play with really good versatility and scoring. Next, the frontcourt of Houston needs to provide solid scoring with Fabian White and Charles Harris on both ends. The physical style of Houston’s defense needs to disrupt the tempo and spacing of Oklahoma State’s offense.
As for Oklahoma State, their key is Issac Likekele with his energy and ability to score they go as he goes. In addition, Cameron McGriff needs to have a big game on the boards and be effective offensively. Along with the play of Thomas Dziagwa and Lindy Waters being very effective as shooters. Also, someone on the bench must emerge for Oklahoma State to get those needed quality minutes. Houston has to much size and athleticism on their defense and the guards will produce in the win over Oklahoma State.
Prediction: Houston 72 Oklahoma State 65
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