The Elitist of the Elite
A PiRate Preview of The Regional Final Games-March 29, 2008
Eight teams are left, and only Davidson, a team with a 25-game winning streak can be considered a surprise. Xavier and Louisville may not have been expected to get this far, but both the Musketeers and Cardinals are no big surprises.
All four number one seeds have advanced to the Elite Eight. Can all four make it to the Final Four for the first time since the current 64/65-team format has been in effect? It’s possible, but it’s also possible that two of the four top-seeded teams could lose.
Of the eight Sweet 16 round games, seven of them were dull games. Only the Xavier-West Virginia game was worth watching from start to finish. Let’s hope the Regional Final games are a little more exciting.
In the statistics shown below, the records are up to date, but the stats do not include the Regional Semifinal games. Those will be included in next week’s Final Four Previews.
Note: In the statistics below, you will see a column marked other. “B” means the player is an exceptional shot blocker. “S” means the player is exceptional at stealing the ball. “A” means the player is an excellent passer for assists. “F” means the player is foul-prone.
West Regional-Phoenix
Saturday, March 29, 2008
6:40 PM EDT
#3 Xavier vs. #1 UCLA
|
Xavier Musketeers
|
Record: 30-6
|
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Head Coach: Sean Miller
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No.
|
Player |
Pos
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Cl.
|
Pts.
|
Reb.
|
FG%
|
3pt%
|
FT%
|
Other *
|
|
|
STARTERS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
Jason Love |
F/C
|
6-09
|
255
|
So.
|
6.1
|
5.4
|
57.4
|
0.0
|
60.4
|
B
|
|
5
|
Derrick Brown |
F
|
6-08
|
225
|
So.
|
10.9
|
6.7
|
60.2
|
34.5
|
72.1
|
|
|
20
|
C.J. Anderson |
F/G
|
6-06
|
220
|
Jr.
|
10.7
|
5.9
|
52.3
|
0.0
|
67.3
|
|
|
34
|
Stanley Burrell |
G
|
6-03
|
210
|
Sr.
|
9.8
|
2.1
|
39.1
|
38.9
|
83.1
|
A
|
|
24
|
Drew Lavender |
G
|
5-07
|
153
|
Sr.
|
11.0
|
2.6
|
43.6
|
40.4
|
86.8
|
A
|
|
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KEY RESERVES % |
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|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Josh Duncan |
F
|
6-09
|
235
|
Sr.
|
12.1
|
4.7
|
50.4
|
41.8
|
85.4
|
F
|
|
11
|
B.J. Raymond |
G/F
|
6-06
|
225
|
Jr.
|
10.1
|
3.1
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44.9
|
41.1
|
86.1
|
|
|
25
|
Dante’ Jackson |
G
|
6-05
|
205
|
Fr.
|
2.4
|
1.2
|
35.4
|
38.1
|
61.5
|
S/F
|
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Statistical Analysis
|
|
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|
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XAV
|
Stat
|
Opp
|
Difference
|
|
|
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47.8
|
FG%
|
40.6
|
7.2
|
|
|
|
39.1
|
3pt%
|
33.7
|
5.4
|
|
|
|
75.5
|
FT%
|
67.6
|
7.9
|
|
|
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35.8
|
Reb
|
30.2
|
5.6
|
|
|
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13.1
|
TO
|
13.0
|
-0.1
|
|
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3.4
|
BK
|
3.6
|
-0.2
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|
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5.6
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STL
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6.6
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-1.0
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15.3
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AST
|
13.1
|
2.2
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R+T #
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5.47
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75.5
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PPG
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62.7
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12.8
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PiRate Score
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8 *
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Schedule Strength
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|
.5720
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(*) Missed being 10 by very little
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(#) For an explanation of R+T, PiRate Score, and Schedule
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Strength, see “Bracketnomics 505” posted on 3/17/08
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& how point values are assigned posted on 3/18/08
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NCAA Tournament Results
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Georgia
|
73-61
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Purdue
|
85-78
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West Virginia
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79-75 ot
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U C L A Bruins
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Record: 34-3
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Head Coach: Ben Howland
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No.
|
Player |
Pos
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Cl.
|
Pts.
|
Reb.
|
FG%
|
3pt%
|
FT%
|
Other *
|
|
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STARTERS |
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42
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Kevin Love |
C
|
6-10
|
271
|
Fr.
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17.3
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10.6
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55.7
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36.5
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76.5
|
B
|
|
23
|
Luc Rich. Mbah a Moute |
F
|
6-08
|
232
|
Jr.
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8.6
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5.5
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47.9
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20.0
|
69.4
|
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3
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Josh Shipp |
F/G
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6-05
|
220
|
Jr.
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12.4
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3.2
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44.0
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32.5
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79.2
|
S
|
|
2
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Darren Collison |
G
|
6-00
|
160
|
Jr.
|
15.1
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2.6
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49.4
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51.6
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87.6
|
S/A
|
|
0
|
Russell Westbrook |
G
|
6-03
|
185
|
So.
|
12.3
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3.8
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46.8
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31.9
|
70.5
|
S/A
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KEY RESERVES % |
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|
14
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Mata-Real, Lorenzo |
C
|
6-09
|
235
|
Sr.
|
3.3
|
3.7
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50.0
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0.0
|
45.2
|
B/F
|
|
12
|
Alfred Aboya |
F/C
|
6-09
|
245
|
Jr.
|
3.1
|
2.3
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50.0
|
33.3
|
52.8
|
F
|
|
41
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Dragovic, Nikola |
F
|
6-09
|
215
|
So.
|
2.6
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1.4
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33.9
|
23.8
|
12-12
|
|
|
13
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James Keefe |
G
|
6-08
|
225
|
So.
|
2.1
|
2.4
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44.2
|
28.6
|
35.7
|
F
|
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Statistical Analysis
|
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UCLA
|
Stat
|
Opp
|
Difference
|
|
|
47.6
|
FG%
|
42.2
|
5.4
|
|
|
34.6
|
3pt%
|
32.5
|
2.1
|
|
|
73.0
|
FT%
|
67.0
|
6.0
|
|
|
36.3
|
Reb
|
27.9
|
8.4
|
|
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12.4
|
TO
|
14.7
|
2.3
|
|
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4.1
|
BK
|
2.6
|
1.5
|
|
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7.4
|
STL
|
4.7
|
2.7
|
|
|
14.4
|
AST
|
11.3
|
3.1
|
|
|
|
R+T #
|
|
12.48
|
|
|
73.3
|
PPG
|
58.0
|
15.3
|
|
|
|
|
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|
PiRate Score
|
|
15
|
|
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Schedule Strength
|
|
.5751
|
|
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NCAA Tournament Results
|
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Mississippi Valley
|
70-29
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Texas A&M
|
51-49
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Western Kentucky
|
88-78
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UCLA is looking to become the first team since Duke to make it to three consecutive Final Fours. Of Course the Bruins went to the Final Four every year from 1967 through 1975, so three in a row is now big deal in Westwood.
Xavier is looking to become the first team from the Queen City to make the Final Four since Cincinnati did so in 1992 (The Bearcats also own a five consecutive streak from 1959-1963).
UCLA has a huge intangible in its favor. The Bruins keep getting the benefit of several officials’ mistakes. Going back to the end of the regular season when they won back-to-back games over Stanford and California, both ending in controversy, to the Pac-10 Tournament where they won a close game over Southern Cal, to the Texas A&M game in the second round of the Big Dance where the Bruins players were allowed to hold and push with no fouls being called, where the Aggies’ players were whistled for entering the same Zip Code, and it is a pattern that cannot be ignored. I’m not saying this is a conspiracy. I’m saying its probably human nature taking its course. UCLA always got the benefit of the doubt during their great dynasty years. I remember watching them foul Maryland all over the gym in December of 1973, while Maryland couldn’t get within an arm’s length without being whistled. Somehow, the Terps had a chance to win at the end that night, but fell short by one basket.
UCLA probably doesn’t need any help to win this game, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see them benefit from a few calls or non-calls by the zebras. While Xavier has the talent to keep this game close, I’m expecting the sons of Westwood to march to the Final Four with a victory. The matchup between UCLA’s Kevin Love and Xavier’s Jason Love will be what decides this game, and we can make an educated guess which player will win.
Prediction: UCLA 73 Xavier 64
East Regional-Charlotte
Saturday, March 29, 2008
9:05 PM EDT
#3 Louisville vs. #1 North Carolina
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Louisville Cardinals
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Record: 27-8
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Head Coach: Rick Pitino
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No.
|
Player |
Pos
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Cl.
|
Pts.
|
Reb.
|
FG%
|
3pt%
|
FT%
|
Other *
|
|
|
STARTERS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
4
|
David Padgett |
F/C
|
6-11
|
245
|
Sr.
|
11.4
|
4.5
|
67.7
|
0.0
|
65.2
|
F
|
|
1
|
Terrence Williams |
F
|
6-06
|
210
|
Jr.
|
11.0
|
7.3
|
40.5
|
34.3
|
56.7
|
S/A
|
|
5
|
Earl Clark |
F/G
|
6-08
|
220
|
So.
|
10.9
|
8.0
|
46.2
|
23.1
|
65.5
|
B
|
|
34
|
Jerry Smith |
G
|
6-01
|
200
|
So.
|
10.5
|
3.6
|
44.8
|
37.7
|
77.6
|
S
|
|
33
|
Andre McGee |
G
|
5-10
|
180
|
Jr.
|
6.4
|
1.6
|
40.4
|
40.3
|
69.8
|
S/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KEY RESERVES % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32
|
Derrick Caracter |
F/C
|
6-09
|
265
|
So.
|
8.5
|
4.5
|
55.7
|
1 of 1
|
63.1
|
B/F
|
|
10
|
Edgar Sosa |
G
|
6-01
|
175
|
So.
|
7.6
|
1.7
|
38.5
|
37.4
|
63.6
|
|
|
3
|
Juan Palacios |
F/C
|
6-08
|
250
|
Sr.
|
6.4
|
4.0
|
44.5
|
31.3
|
70.5
|
S
|
|
Statistical Analysis
|
|
|
|
U of L
|
Stat
|
Opp
|
Difference
|
|
|
46.0
|
FG%
|
38.4
|
7.6
|
|
|
35.2
|
3pt%
|
30.6
|
4.6
|
|
|
64.4
|
FT%
|
67.7
|
-3.3
|
|
|
37.3
|
Reb
|
34.5
|
2.8
|
|
|
13.3
|
TO
|
14.6
|
1.3
|
|
|
4.9
|
BK
|
2.7
|
2.2
|
|
|
8.1
|
STL
|
5.7
|
2.4
|
|
|
15.1
|
AST
|
12.2
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
R+T #
|
|
5.33
|
|
|
72.3
|
PPG
|
60.9
|
11.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PiRate Score
|
|
9
|
|
|
Schedule Strength
|
|
.5852
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NCAA Tournament Results
|
|
|
Boise State
|
79-61
|
|
|
|
Oklahoma
|
78-48
|
|
|
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Tennessee
|
79-60
|
|
|
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North Carolina Tar Heels
|
Record: 35-2
|
|
Head Coach: Roy Williams
|
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|
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No.
|
Player |
Pos
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Cl.
|
Pts.
|
Reb.
|
FG%
|
3pt%
|
FT%
|
Other *
|
|
|
STARTERS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50
|
Tyler Hansbrough |
F
|
6-09
|
250
|
Jr.
|
22.8
|
10.2
|
54.1
|
0.0
|
81.2
|
S
|
|
21
|
Deon Thompson |
F
|
6-08
|
240
|
So.
|
8.5
|
4.8
|
47.7
|
0.0
|
58.6
|
B/F
|
|
1
|
Marcus Ginyard |
G-F
|
6-05
|
218
|
Jr.
|
7.4
|
4.5
|
44.6
|
42.9
|
66.3
|
S
|
|
22
|
Wayne Ellington |
G
|
6-04
|
200
|
So.
|
16.8
|
4.3
|
47.9
|
42.1
|
81.5
|
|
|
5
|
Ty Lawson |
G
|
5-11
|
195
|
So.
|
12.9
|
2.7
|
52.8
|
36.0
|
82.5
|
S/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KEY RESERVES % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
Danny Green |
G-F
|
6-05
|
210
|
Jr.
|
11.3
|
5.0
|
46.8
|
37.1
|
86.3
|
BSAF
|
|
32
|
Alex Stepheson |
F
|
6-09
|
235
|
So.
|
4.4
|
4.8
|
53.2
|
0.0
|
43.2
|
B/F
|
|
11
|
Quentin Thomas |
G
|
6-03
|
190
|
Sr.
|
3.4
|
1.5
|
57.3
|
25.0
|
78.1
|
A
|
|
4
|
Bobby Frasor |
G
|
6-03
|
208
|
Jr.
|
3.2
|
1.8
|
34.2
|
30.0
|
50.0
|
S/A
|
|
Statistical Analysis
|
|
|
|
UNC
|
Stat
|
Opp
|
Difference
|
|
|
49.1
|
FG%
|
42.4
|
6.7
|
|
|
38.3
|
3pt%
|
33.0
|
5.3
|
|
|
75.4
|
FT%
|
66.9
|
8.5
|
|
|
44.0
|
Reb
|
32.4
|
11.6
|
|
|
14.3
|
TO
|
16.1
|
1.8
|
|
|
4.6
|
BK
|
4.9
|
-0.3
|
|
|
8.3
|
STL
|
7.9
|
0.4
|
|
|
17.3
|
AST
|
13.7
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
R+T #
|
|
15.19
|
|
|
89.9
|
PPG
|
72.9
|
17.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PiRate Score
|
|
17
|
|
|
Schedule Strength
|
|
.5921
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NCAA Tournament Results
|
|
|
Mount St. Mary’s
|
113-74
|
|
|
|
Arkansas
|
108-77
|
|
|
|
Washington State
|
68-47
|
|
|
Louisville Coach Rick Pitino has his Cardinals playing the best half-court defense of any team he has ever coached, including his 1996 national champs at Kentucky. What UL did to Tennessee was amazing Thursday night. However, for the Cards to have any chance of getting to the Final Four, they will have to play even better defensively tonight.
North Carolina is an unstoppable force right now. Sure, Washington State held them to 67 points, but the Cougars didn’t do it with great defense. They slowed the game down, making it a low possession game. UNC still had a fantastic points per possession stat in the game.
I expect the Tar Heels to get their first taste of playing in an NCAA Tournament game that isn’t decided by the under 12 timeout in the first half. The Heels may even get extended into the second half before they put this one away.
Prediction: North Carolina 78 Louisville 69
South Regional-Houston
Sunday, March 30, 2008
2:20 PM EDT
#2 Texas vs. #1 Memphis
|
Texas Longhorns
|
Record: 31-6
|
|
Head Coach: Rick Barnes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No.
|
Player |
Pos
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Cl.
|
Pts.
|
Reb.
|
FG%
|
3pt%
|
FT%
|
Other *
|
|
|
STARTERS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32
|
Connor Atchley |
F/C
|
6-10
|
225
|
Jr.
|
19.2
|
2.9
|
44.3
|
38.0
|
77.9
|
B
|
|
5
|
Damion James |
F/G
|
6-07
|
227
|
Jr.
|
13.2
|
10.7
|
46.4
|
44.6
|
56.3
|
B
|
|
24
|
Justin Mason |
G
|
6-02
|
185
|
So.
|
7.1
|
4.3
|
42.2
|
34.2
|
66.2
|
A
|
|
3
|
A.J. Abrams |
G
|
5-10
|
155
|
Jr.
|
16.6
|
2.8
|
42.8
|
38.1
|
80.9
|
|
|
14
|
D.J. Augustin |
G
|
5-11
|
175
|
So.
|
19.2
|
2.9
|
44.3
|
38.0
|
77.9
|
A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KEY RESERVES % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Gary Johnson |
F
|
6-07
|
235
|
Fr.
|
5.7
|
4.0
|
41.6
|
0.0
|
55.6
|
F
|
|
34
|
Dexter Pittman |
C
|
6-10
|
293
|
So.
|
2.7
|
2.3
|
54.8
|
0.0
|
60.5
|
B/F
|
|
15
|
Alexis Wangmene |
F/C
|
6-08
|
240
|
Fr.
|
2.2
|
2.4
|
42.3
|
0.0
|
66.0
|
B/F
|
|
Statistical Analysis
|
|
|
|
UT
|
Stat
|
Opp
|
Difference
|
|
|
45.3
|
FG%
|
38.8
|
6.5
|
|
|
39.1
|
3pt%
|
32.6
|
6.5
|
|
|
68.2
|
FT%
|
67.9
|
0.3
|
|
|
38.1
|
Reb
|
35.1
|
3.0
|
|
|
9.6
|
TO
|
12.1
|
2.5
|
|
|
5.3
|
BK
|
2.8
|
2.5
|
|
|
6.0
|
STL
|
4.6
|
1.4
|
|
|
13.1
|
AST
|
12.4
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
R+T #
|
|
6.60
|
|
|
75.5
|
PPG
|
64.4
|
11.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PiRate Score
|
|
9
|
|
|
Schedule Strength
|
|
.5950
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NCAA Tournament Results
|
|
|
Austin Peay
|
74-54
|
|
|
|
Miami (Fla.)
|
75-72
|
|
|
|
Stanford
|
82-62
|
|
|
|
Memphis Tigers
|
Record: 36-1
|
|
Head Coach: John Calipari
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No.
|
Player |
Pos
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Cl.
|
Pts.
|
Reb.
|
FG%
|
3pt%
|
FT%
|
Other *
|
|
|
STARTERS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
Joey Dorsey |
F/C
|
6-09
|
265
|
Jr.
|
7.0
|
9.7
|
64.7
|
0.0
|
37.9
|
B/F
|
|
2
|
Robert Dozier |
F
|
6-09
|
215
|
Jr.
|
9.4
|
6.7
|
45.1
|
29.0
|
68.5
|
B
|
|
14
|
Chris Douglas-Roberts |
G/F
|
6-07
|
200
|
Jr.
|
17.3
|
4.2
|
54.7
|
42.7
|
68.4
|
|
|
5
|
Antonio Anderson |
G
|
6-06
|
210
|
Jr.
|
8.4
|
3.7
|
40.9
|
32.8
|
56.6
|
A
|
|
23
|
Derrick Rose |
G
|
6-03
|
205
|
Fr.
|
14.1
|
4.3
|
46.9
|
35.1
|
68.4
|
A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KEY RESERVES % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
Doneal Mack |
G
|
6-05
|
175
|
So.
|
7.7
|
1.8
|
39.7
|
37.1
|
66.7
|
F
|
|
0
|
Shawn Taggart |
F/C
|
6-10
|
230
|
So.
|
5.8
|
4.2
|
51.0
|
37.5
|
63.9
|
B/F
|
|
1
|
Willie Kemp |
G
|
6-02
|
175
|
So.
|
5.3
|
1.1
|
38.2
|
36.6
|
57.1
|
F
|
|
15
|
Andre Allen |
G
|
5-10
|
205
|
Sr.
|
3.4
|
1.2
|
31.5
|
29.6
|
40.6
|
F
|
|
Statistical Analysis
|
|
|
|
Mem
|
Stat
|
Opp
|
Difference
|
|
|
46.6
|
FG%
|
38.5
|
8.1
|
|
|
35.3
|
3pt%
|
30.3
|
5.0
|
|
|
59.2
|
FT%
|
66.9
|
-7.7
|
|
|
40.9
|
Reb
|
34.2
|
6.7
|
|
|
12.0
|
TO
|
16.3
|
4.3
|
|
|
6.2
|
BK
|
3.3
|
2.9
|
|
|
8.5
|
STL
|
5.8
|
2.7
|
|
|
16.2
|
AST
|
10.7
|
5.5
|
|
|
|
R+T #
|
|
15.47
|
|
|
79.8
|
PPG
|
61.1
|
18.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PiRate Score
|
|
19
|
|
|
Schedule Strength
|
|
.5749
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NCAA Tournament Results
|
|
|
Texas-Arlington
|
87-63
|
|
|
|
Mississippi State
|
77-74
|
|
|
|
Michigan State
|
92-74
|
|
|
Memphis looked every bit as talented as the UNLV 1990-91 team Friday Night against Michigan State. Sure, they surrendered some easy baskets, but they out-rebounded a Tom Izzo-coached team by nine boards! That doesn’t happen often, if ever. When you have a player like Derrick Rose, who can come off the bench and score 27 points and Robert Dozier who can almost record a double double while playing just half the game, and you see how complete this team really is. Who says the Tigers cannot hit free throws? 26-35 is going to win a lot of close games.
Texas isn’t just horse fodder. The Longhorns are talented enough to advance to the title game. Just imagine how great this team would be if Kevin Durant had decided to play just one more season. D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams won’t be intimidated by the Tigers’ defense, and the deadly duo can force Memphis to become lax in the paint. Then, Connor Atchley and Damion James will take over inside.
Give Texas some home court advantage for playing in Houston, but give Memphis that little extra to get over the hump and avoid falling in the Elite Eight round for the third consecutive year. They won’t be denied a third straight time-not with this much talent.
Prediction: Memphis 78 Texas 75
Midwest Regional-Detroit
Sunday, March 30, 2008
5:05 PM EDT
#10 Davidson vs. #1 Kansas
|
Davidson Wildcats
|
Record: 29-6
|
|
Head Coach: Bob McKillop
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No.
|
Player |
Pos
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Cl.
|
Pts.
|
Reb.
|
FG%
|
3pt%
|
FT%
|
Other *
|
|
|
STARTERS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
Thomas Sander |
F
|
6-08
|
220
|
Sr.
|
7.6
|
4.9
|
57.9
|
23.1
|
53.3
|
F
|
|
41
|
Andrew Lovedale |
F
|
6-08
|
215
|
Jr.
|
6.7
|
5.4
|
53.6
|
0.0
|
66.7
|
F
|
|
14
|
Max Paulhus Gosselin |
G/F
|
6-06
|
205
|
Jr.
|
3.6
|
3.5
|
36.7
|
12.5
|
65.5
|
S
|
|
30
|
Stephen Curry |
G
|
6-03
|
185
|
So.
|
25.7
|
4.6
|
48.8
|
44.4
|
88.8
|
S/A
|
|
2
|
Jason Richards |
G
|
6-02
|
185
|
Sr.
|
12.9
|
3.1
|
41.8
|
32.4
|
74.8
|
A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KEY RESERVES % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
Boris Meno |
F
|
6-08
|
230
|
Sr.
|
7.3
|
5.6
|
49.5
|
5.6
|
66.7
|
|
|
22
|
Will Archambault |
G/F
|
6-06
|
210
|
So.
|
5.2
|
1.9
|
39.1
|
27.8
|
69.0
|
F
|
|
24
|
Bryant Barr |
G
|
6-04
|
195
|
So.
|
5.1
|
1.0
|
38.9
|
40.5
|
64.7
|
|
|
23
|
Stephen Rossiter |
F
|
6-07
|
230
|
So.
|
3.1
|
3.4
|
60.3
|
0.0
|
67.6
|
S/F
|
|
Statistical Analysis
|
|
|
|
DC
|
Stat
|
Opp
|
Difference
|
|
|
47.1
|
FG%
|
42.3
|
4.8
|
|
|
36.2
|
3pt%
|
35.6
|
0.6
|
|
|
72.3
|
FT%
|
63.1
|
9.2
|
|
|
36.6
|
Reb
|
32.7
|
3.9
|
|
|
12.1
|
TO
|
16.9
|
4.8
|
|
|
3.3
|
BK
|
2.4
|
0.9
|
|
|
8.1
|
STL
|
5.6
|
2.5
|
|
|
17.1
|
AST
|
13.5
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
R+T #
|
|
13.23
|
|
|
78.6
|
PPG
|
63.5
|
15.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PiRate Score
|
|
14
|
|
|
Schedule Strength
|
|
.5252
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NCAA Tournament Results
|
|
|
Gonzaga
|
82-76
|
|
|
|
Georgetown
|
74-70
|
|
|
|
Wisconsin
|
73-56
|
|
|
|
Kansas Jayhawks
|
Record: 34-3
|
|
Head Coach: Bill Self
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No.
|
Player |
Pos
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Cl.
|
Pts.
|
Reb.
|
FG%
|
3pt%
|
FT%
|
Other *
|
|
|
STARTERS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32
|
Darnell Jackson |
F
|
6-08
|
250
|
Sr.
|
11.5
|
6.7
|
62.3
|
33.3
|
69.5
|
|
|
0
|
Darrell Arthur |
F
|
6-09
|
225
|
So.
|
13.1
|
6.2
|
54.0
|
16.7
|
70.4
|
B/F
|
|
25
|
Brandon Rush |
G/F
|
6-06
|
210
|
Jr.
|
13.0
|
5.0
|
42.5
|
43.9
|
77.6
|
|
|
15
|
Mario Chalmers |
G
|
6-01
|
195
|
Jr.
|
12.6
|
3.1
|
52.5
|
47.1
|
73.3
|
S/A
|
|
3
|
Russell Robinson |
G
|
6-01
|
205
|
Sr.
|
7.4
|
2.8
|
42.3
|
31.3
|
76.6
|
S/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KEY RESERVES % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
Sherron Collins |
G
|
5-11
|
205
|
So.
|
9.5
|
2.0
|
47.9
|
36.8
|
76.5
|
S/A
|
|
24
|
Sasha Kaun |
C
|
6-11
|
250
|
Sr.
|
7.1
|
3.9
|
61.1
|
0.0
|
54.4
|
B/F
|
|
45
|
Cole Aldrich |
C
|
6-11
|
240
|
Fr.
|
2.9
|
3.1
|
51.9
|
0.0
|
64.7
|
B/F
|
|
5
|
Rodrick Stewart |
G
|
6-04
|
200
|
Sr.
|
2.9
|
2.3
|
49.3
|
31.3
|
60.7
|
|
|
Statistical Analysis
|
|
|
|
KU
|
Stat
|
Opp
|
Difference
|
|
|
50.8
|
FG%
|
38.0
|
12.8
|
|
|
40.1
|
3pt%
|
33.7
|
6.4
|
|
|
69.6
|
FT%
|
68.4
|
1.2
|
|
|
38.8
|
Reb
|
30.9
|
7.9
|
|
|
12.8
|
TO
|
15.8
|
3.0
|
|
|
6.0
|
BK
|
2.6
|
3.4
|
|
|
8.9
|
STL
|
6.2
|
2.7
|
|
|
18.4
|
AST
|
11.3
|
7.1
|
|
|
|
R+T #
|
|
14.31
|
|
|
81.4
|
PPG
|
61.4
|
20.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PiRate Score
|
|
21
|
|
|
Schedule Strength
|
|
.5594
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NCAA Tournament Results
|
|
|
Portland State
|
85-61
|
|
|
|
UNLV
|
75-56
|
|
|
|
Villanova
|
72-57
|
|
|
I have to admit that Stephen Curry and company did something I didn’t think they could do-they blew Wisconsin off the floor Friday night. I underestimated just how fluid the Wildcats play. This is actually their third trip to the Elite 8, with the other two coming in 1968 and 1969 (they lost both times to North Carolina by one possession).
Kansas is the team to beat. The Jayhawks can dominate the game at both ends of the floor and in the stat book, as they showed against ‘Nova Friday night. I believe the Jayhawk defense will be able to combat the numerous perimeter screens set and keep Curry from putting up numbers reminiscent of Austin Carr when he played in the NCAA Tournament for Notre Dame.
I’m going with the Jayhawks, because I think they are as good as any National Champion in the last quarter century. Davidson won’t lose because they are a small school from the Southern Conference. In my opinion any other team in the field would also lose if they played Kansas in the Elite 8.
Prediction: Kansas 75 Davidson 60
The Pi-Rate Ratings 