Final Four

Final Four Predictions:

Here are my quick thoughts on today's Final Four match-ups.

I think Connecticut will outlast the home town Michigan State Spartans. Though I think the Spartans do have an advantage with the crowd likely in their favor I just don't think they match-up well with the Huskies. The Huskies point guard A.J. Price I think is primed for a big game. He often gets overlooked but I think he will be tough for Michigan State to guard. Center Hasheem Thabeet presents a big problem for the Spartans as well. Michigan State doesn't have the size inside to compete with him and will need to get him in foul trouble to have any hope of winning the battle in the paint.

As for the late game I think while Villanova has had a great tournament run, their bubble will burst at the hands of North Carolina. The Tar Heels are just too deep and strong for the Wildcats. Villanova will need more magic from point guard Scottie Reynolds to beat the Tar Heels. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, UNC has an answer for Reynolds in their own point guard Ty Lawson. To me Lawson has been the key to North Carolina's success all tournament. I think he is so talented and always raises his game to the level of his competition. I'd look for him to have a big game to overcome Villanova.

Hope everyone enjoys the tournament tonight, it should be a couple of quality basketball games.

Sweet 16 Preview: (1) Conneiticut vs. (5) Purdue

(1) Connecticut Huskies:

Their Tournament so far: The Huskies dominated the first two rounds of the tournament winning by a combined 82 points. In their first game against the 16th seed Chattanooga Mocs, Connecticut had five players in double figures, including three with 20 or more points. The Huskies grabbed 24 more rebounds than the Mocs and committed 10 less turnovers. In the 2nd round game against the 9th seed Texas A&M Aggies the Huskies were just as dominate. Led by senior point guard A.J. Price, who had 27 points, Connecticut had four players manage double digit point totals against the Aggies. The Huskies shot 58% from the field and out rebounded A&M by 14.

Hot hand: Price and senior forward Jeff Adrien have been the stars for Connecticut so far. Price has 47 points and 11 assists through two games and is shooting 50% behind the 3-point line. Adrien has been in double figures in both games and has 24 total rebounds.

How they match-up with Purdue: The Huskies will need junior center Hasheem Thabeet to get hot after he disappeared in the A&M game. Thabeet along with Adrien and junior forward Stanley Robinson on the inside Connecticut should be able to contain Purdue's big men. Price along with fellow guards Craig Austrie and Kemba Walker give Connecticut a big advantage on the perimeter. Connecticut's quickness should give the Boilermakers back-court fits all game.

X-Factor: Connecticut's presence inside. Thabeet needs to step up and control the boards like he has all season. Purdue is a balanced team but they rely on the 3-pointer, for the Huskies to win the need to they need to eliminate second chances by their opponent. Going inside on offense to Thabeet and Adrien could get Purdue in foul trouble and force them to go to their bench.

(5) Purdue Boilermakers:

Their Tournament so far: The Boilermakers squeaked by in their first two rounds with a five point victory over the 12th seed Northern Iowa Panthers and a two point upset over the 4th seed Washington Huskies. Despite leading both games the whole way the Boilermakers had to rely on clutch free throw shooting at the end of the game to advance to the next round.

Hot Hand: Sophomore forward JaJuan Johnson is leading the Boilermakers with 36 points between two games. Eleven of his 36 points and three block shots came in the second half of the Washington game that sent the Boilermakers to the Sweet 16. Sophomore guard E'Twaun Moore has added 31 points for Purdue and has gone 13-15 from the free throw line.

How they match-up against Connecticut: Purdue is a balanced team that has both inside and outside scoring options. Also they have a solid eight man rotation that gives them solid minutes. Unfortunately they can't match Connecticut's experience and star player advantage. Purdue's top three scorers are all sophomore's and will all be matched up against juniors and seniors. While they have some size they don't rebound well and will have to improve if they hope to knock off the Huskies.

X-Factor: Robbie Hummel breaking out of his slump. Sophomore forward Robbie Hummel was 3rd on the team in scoring during the season, averaging over 12 points a game but has yet to get into double figures in the tournament. In the second game against Washington Hummel ended up as the team's 6th best scorer. He was the Purdue's best 3-point option during the season but has only hit one three over the last two games. For the Boilermakers to make it to the Elite Eight Hummel will have to get hot. He has the athleticism to give Connecticut forwards Adrien and Robinson problems chasing him out on the perimeter.

March Madness: West Region Part 1

No. 1 seed Connecticut Huskies:

Why they will win it all: The Huskies have a strong starting five led by senior guard A.J. Price and junior center Hasheem Thabeet. Price, Thabeet and senior forward Jeff Adrien all averaged at least 13 points a game. Also Thabeet and Adrien each averaged 10 rebounds a game. The big three are supplemented by freshman guard Kemba Walker and junior forward Stanley Robinson. Senior guard Craig Austrie gets significant time off the bench and can start against smaller opponents. Connecticut is a well rounded team that plays offense and defense with equal tenacity. Thabeet was among the nation's leaders in blocked shots averaging 4.6 per game. Two of their four losses came against fellow number 1 seed Pitt and another came in a dramatic six overtime loss to Syracuse in the Big East quarterfinals.

Why they won't win it all: Connecticut lost starting guard Jerome Dyson in mid-Feburary to an injury and haven't been the same team since. The Huskies are just 4-3 in Dyson's absence and are in the midst of a two game losing streak. Though they have a talented starting five, Connecticut lacks a quality bench. There is not much talent there behind Austrie and no real front court help. Thabeet can be one of the best big men in the country but he has some serious flaws in his game. He doesn't run the floor well and can be beat to the basket by quick athletic teams. Also, while Thabeet is an inside force above the rim, if backed away from the basket and forced into a jump shot Thabeet becomes a very ordinary big man.

Player to watch: A.J. Price. Thabeet may grab all the headlines but Price is the player that Connecticut needs the most out of. Without Dyson in the line-up Price stepped up to lead the team in scoring. Price is the team's best 3-point shooter and is a threat to score anytime he has the ball in his hands. He is a quick guard that can shut down an opposing team's best player. While not a great passer he still manages to set the offense up for the big men in the middle.

Prediction: Connecticut shouldn't have too much trouble advancing to the Elite Eight but will likely find their tournament over if they meet up with Memphis. Missouri is another team that that could give Connecticut trouble if they meet up with them in round of eight.

1st round upset: 10th seed Maryland over 7th seed California:
The Terps sneaked into the tournament with a late season win over UNC and a ACC semi-finals win over Wake Forest. Junior guard Greivis Vasquez is the key, if he's on he can take over a game. If the Golden Bears can't slow him down they will be looking at a first round exit.