News Archive for Northern Iowa

Friday Night Analysis

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Tonight’s matchups in the NCAA tournament has some intriguing games and are worth taking a closer look. Here is the way I see these four games playing out…

Midwest Region

Can Northern Iowa keep their Cinderella story going?

Tennessee vs. Ohio State

This game comes down to who  has the most dominant player between the two. Ohio St. has possibly the best player in the tournament in Evan Turner.  Turner is the type of player that can carry his team on his back. The Buckeyes have taken care of business so far and is a team focused on the Final Four with Kansas being knocked out of their region. Both teams have a lot of talent, but the Buckeyes have the outside shooting along with Turner that will be the difference in this game.

Prediction: Ohio State

Northern Iowa vs. Michigan State

Northern Iowa is becoming the Cinderella story of this tournament with their recent victory over the top seeded Kansas Jayhawks. They have all the ingredients that it takes to win this game and get to the Final Four ala George Mason a couple of years ago. They have a lot of momentum and confidence that should carry them to victory. The Spartans showed some resiliency in their victory over Maryland inspite losing their best player Kalin Lucas. No Lucas and a couple of more beat up players spells a loss. Northern Iowa keeps the slipper on.

Prediction: Northern Iowa

South Region

St. Mary’s vs. Baylor

St. Mary’s is another intriguing story in this tourney and  are coming off a impressive victory over Villanova. They are a patient, good shooting team that make good decisions on offense.. They will need to play their offensive best against a very good and athletic defensive team in the Baylor Bears. Baylor has won their first tournament games in 60 years. Baylor came in as a number three seed and are playing near home in Houston. The combination of being near home and hunger will propel them to victory.

Prediction: Baylor

Duke vs. Purdue

Duke has looked impressive on the defensive side so far and will pair up against another stellar defensive team in Purdue. Purdue is another team that has showed resiliency in their two close victories including their last one against Texas A+ M  in overtime.They have advanced without their star Robbie Hummel. Duke will make it too hard on Purdue to score, and Hummel will be sorely missed in this one. Duke should roll in this one.

Prediction: Duke

Hopefully these games are both exciting and competitive. These type of matchups make March Madness live up to the hype year after year.

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Posted in Baylor University, College Basketball, Duke University, Kansas University, Maryland University, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, Tennessee University, Texas A&M University, Villanova University | No Comments »

Sweet Sixteen Analysis

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

The NCAA Basketball Tournament has been trimmed down to sixteen teams and it has been a wide open tournament from the opening tipoff. The #1 overall seed Kansas Jayhawks were shocked in the second round with a loss to Northern Iowa, and the  third seeded Georgetown Hoyas did not even taste victory as they were bounced in the first round by Ohio. How does the tournament shape up with the remaining survivors is the question? Here is the way I see it…

MIDWEST

This region saw the aforementioned upsets above with Kansas and Georgetown wondering why they were sent packing. With those teams out, it is set up nicely for the Ohio St. Buckeyes to come out of this region. They have been workmenlike  like so far, and  they should  take out Tennessee in their next game and then  the winner of the Michigan State/Northern Iowa game. Ohio St. looks real  good for the Final Four.

WEST

Will the Kentucky Wildcats hang a championship banner from the rafters in 2010?

The West region still has their number two seeds remaining  in Syracuse and Kansas St. Syracuse has looked impressive including yesterday’s victory over Gonzaga. Kansas St. has looked true to form also and knocked off BYU in their latest victory. These two teams are on a collision course to meet in the Elite Eight and that should make a incredible game. But in the end, I see the Orangemen advancing and being a little too much for KState  to handle.

EAST

This region has  my prediction  champion Kentucky Wildcats playing as well as anyone in the tournament. Kentucky is coming off a thirty point blowout over Wake Forest and are riding on a high. They will have stiff competition down the road in Big East champion West Virginia. That game sets up for a very intriguing matchup. Kentucky is too deep and talented to the Final Four pass them by.

SOUTH

The South hosts the #1 seeded Duke Blue Devils. Duke has advanced with smothering defense and looks like a lock to get to the Eight where they will probably face a hungry Baylor team that has won their first tourney games in sixty years. I think Baylor will take out Duke and become the best story of the Final Four.

As you can see so far, anything can happen in this tournament. This makes it very tough to predict but makes the watching that much more exciting. I am looking forward to Thursday to see what transpires. It has left me wanting more!

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Posted in Baylor University, Brigham Young BYU University, College Basketball, Duke University, Georgetown University, Gonzaga University, Kansas State University, Kansas University, Kentucky University, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Syracuse University, Tennessee University, Wake Forest University, West Virginia University | 9 Comments »