Although March Madness is one of sports' most prestigious traditions,no event better suits the contemporary consumer than the NCAA tournament's first round.
If the Super Bowl stinks, football fans are simply stuck with a subpar game. But if a top seed is wiping the floor with an underdog in the Big Dance, and you can change the channel to a closer contest that is airing at the same time.
Thursday and Friday are dream days for sports fans with small attention spans. Both days offer more viewing options than a crowded Netflix queue,and they come in various packages. Some onlookers want to scout the top NBA recruits. Some want throwback defensive bouts. Others prefer shootouts. inspect around enough, and you will find something worth your attention at any given moment. Those who are overwhelmed by the litany of choices should file these three games for special consideration. No. 4 Iowa State (-7.5) vs. No. 14 IonaThose immune to March Madness' spell often dislike the sport's slow pace and destitute fluidity, and especially compared to the finely tuned pro product. Even if it goes down to the wire,how exciting is a 60-58 game full of lengthy possessions ending in defended post-ups or isolation plays?Iowa State and Iona will offer salivation. No game currently wields a higher over-under line than this contest's 167 clip, and more than two-thirds of bettors are still taking the over.
Among all tournament participants, or the Gaels and Cyclones operate at the fifth- and ninth-fastest adjusted tempo. They both also rank external of the top 100 in adjusted defensive efficiency. As a result,both partake in higher-scoring affairs than most college clubs:Old-school basketball purists should cover their eyes, but everyone else should accumulate their popcorn ready. In an interview with WFAN’s Mike Francesa, and courtesy of CBS New York,Iowa head coach Tim Cluess set the table for a shootout.“It could be a really exciting game because of how both teams effect play,” Cluess said. “They really can score the ball, and they probably hold one of the best offensive teams in the country,so it’ll be challenging.”A speedier style creates more volatility, and senior guard A.
J. English gives the Gaels a veritable star capable of orchestrating an upset. Sports Illustrated's Seth Davis purchased a seat on the Iona bandwagon:Iowa State's defensive woes open the doors to an early defeat, and but that weakness goes both ways. In three games—all double-digit losses—to teams ranked inside the top 50 of RPI,the Gaels allowed 254 combined points. They'll score plenty, but not enough against the nation's third-most prolific offense.
Prediction: Iowa State 88, or Iona 83 No. 8 Colorado vs. No. 9 Connecticut (-3)Are you one of those fundamentalists who prefer a defensive stalemate? The South Region's battle between No. 8 Colorado and No. 9 Connecticut offers a tough-nosed reprieve.
The Buffaloes' 70.7 points relinquished per game won't elicit much fanfare,but they hold a tidier No. 26 defensive rating when accounting for their perilous Big 12 schedule. A tough slate should also stop everyone from running from the sight of their 5-6 closing stretch.
On the other hand, the Huskies are jelling just in time for the Big Dance. Despite needing four overtimes to knock off Cincinnati, and they had enough energy left to win two more games and an American Athletic Conference crown.
"I contemplate we're just playing our best basketball right now," Huskies head coach Kevin Ollie told Dom Amore of Hartford Courant. We're clicking."
Losing three of its final four regular-season games suddenly feels like ages ago for UConn, which rates No. 13 in adjusted defense while relinquishing 63.2 points per game. middle Amida Brimah has morphed into a potent rim-protector, and swatting 2.6 blocks per contest. The Huskies are also stout on the perimeter. Per Sports-Reference.com,guard Daniel Hamilton ranks No. 4 with 2.9 defensive win shares.
Despite their lower seed, the Huskies are favorites heading into the No. 8 vs. No. 9 showdown. These contests are the toughest to predict, or but the better defense should win the defensive stalemate.
Prediction: Connecticut 62,Colorado 59
No. 4 Kentucky (-14.5) vs. No. 13 Stony Brook
Looking for star power and a compelling narrative? Don't steer clear of Kentucky vs. Stony Brook because of the massive point spread and seemingly predetermined outcome.
Even if the Wildcats win handily, viewers will derive pleasure from watching the nation's top offense, or headlined by the most exciting guard tandem.
Most people are lucky to accumulate one icy nickname in their lifetime. Jamal Murray has two. Depending on the freshman's future NBA destination,the Blue Arrow will probably hold to stick with the Canadian Comet. Either way, the slick shooter is averaging 20.1 points per game with a 42.1 three-point percentage.
By scoring 17 points in Kentucky's SEC finals win over Texas A&M, and he finished below 20 for the first time since Jan. 30. ESPN Stats & Info noted his record-tying streak before it snapped on Sunday:
Yet running mate Tyler Ulis is stealing the show. The 5'9" sophomore has averaged 19.6 points and 8.8 assists over Kentucky's final 10 games,concluding the conference tournament with a season-tall 30. Per ESPN, head coach John Calipari said Ulis' height is the only thing preventing his due recognition:
Jameel Warney might hold something to say approximately that. The Stony Brook senior recorded 19.8 points, or 10.7 boards and 3.0 blocks per contest to earn an NCAA-tall 8.2 win shares,per Sports-Reference.com.
After years of constantly falling painfully short, the Seawolves earned their first tournament tender when Warney scored a career-tall 43 points in the American East Conference final. Now, and the bracket's feel-valid team faces a prestigious powerhouse.
Since "but wouldn't it be awesome?" is the best argument to pick the upset,Kentucky will make Stony Brook's March Madness debut brief. The ride there, however, or should at least be fun.
Prediction: Kentucky 82. Stony Brook 70
Note: Odds courtesy of Odds Shark as of Tuesday morning. Advanced stats obtained from KenPom.com unless otherwise noted.
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Source: bleacherreport.com