Table Guide
Column 1) Effective Field Goal Percentage. 2) Turnover Rate. 3) Free Throw Rate.
4) Offensive Rebound Rate. 5) Defensive Effective Field Goal Percentage.
6) Defensive Turnover Rate. 7) Defensive Free Throw Rate. 8) Defensive Rebound Rate.
9) Offensive Rating (Higher is better). 10) Defensive Rating (Lower is better)
Arizona (1) vs. Gonzaga (8): The Wildcats were able to shoot from distance thanks to Nick Johnson's 4-6 effort. Arizona made good use of passing lanes as well, assisting on over half of their made baskets. They might be in a little more trouble against the Zags though if they aren't able to clean up the defensive glass better than they did against Weber St. The Zags for their part held Marcus Smart to just a 96 ORtg, and forced him and Matt Forte to go just 3-12 from distance. Przemek Karnowski had ten rebounds to lead Gonzaga, and was used on 29% of their offensive possessions. They will need to be much better from the free throw line, hitting just 63.4%.
Creighton (3) vs. Baylor (6) - The Bears made quick work of Nebraska leading wire to wire 74-60. Cory Jefferson led their balanced scoring attack with 16 point, but the real star was Center Isiah Austin with a 147 ORtg. Brady Heslip surprisingly went 0-6 beyond the arc, but still finished with 12 points and a 102 ORtg because of his free throw shooting. Look for him to improve. Creighton had a little bit of trouble with a very game UL Lafayette squad, but they continued to score efficiently with their array of options. To no one's surprise, Doug McDermott led the way with 30 points and a 133 ORtg. Their perimeter offense may be too much for Baylor to handle, but this should be the most interesting matchup all day.
Iowa State (3) vs. North Carolina (6) - Iowa State will be without stretch big man Georges Niang. Niang's absence may prove to be the difference in this game, but the Cyclones have plenty of other scoring options that could fill the void. Ejim, Morris, and Hogue combined for 49 points and an insane 162 ORtg in their win over NC Central. The Tar Heels weren't particularly efficient on the defensive end against Providence, allowing 3 of their 5 starters to record ORtgs of 130 or higher. James Michael McAdoo will have to dominate the paint in order for them to win. Something he's been inconsistent in doing.
Kansas (2) vs. Stanford (10) - Stanford came out guns blazing against New Mexico and held on to win a difficult matchup. The Cardinal played incredible defense against two of the more dominant big men in the country. Cameron Bairstow scored an inefficient 24 points with a 102 ORtg and 7 footer Alex Kirk finished the game with 3 points and 6 rebounds. Kansas had much more trouble with Eastern Kentucky as the 80-69 score indicates. One has to wonder just how deep into the tournament they can go without Joel Embiid. Andrew Wiggins is an obvious future star and he played like it leading the Jayhawks with 19 points and playing shutdown defense down the stretch.
Wichita State (1) vs. Kentucky (9) - This is the matchup Shockers fans have been waiting for. For the first time all season, they can prove whether or not they belong on the big stage. The betting line has them favored by 3 points and in order to cover those 3, they'll have to find some scoring help for Cleanthony Early who was the only player to score more than 8 points against Cal Poly. The Wildcats have the talent to beat any team on any given day and will look to Randle and Cauley-Stein to clean up down low while James Young and the Harrison twins shoot from the perimeter. Talent-wise, you have to give the edge to Kentucky, but the Shockers may prove that experience is key in the Big Dance.
Virginia (1) vs. Memphis (8) - The Cavaliers had some trouble with Coastal Carolina as they were down 10 at one point and losing at the half. The game wasn't ever really in doubt however, once Virginia became more efficient offensively. They'll need bigger games out of Malcolm Brogdon and Joe Harris, but the defense should be there anyways for them to pull out the win. Memphis is looking for the upset, but their offense needs to be more consistent.
Tennessee (11) vs. Mercer (14) - In what is surely the most surprising 2nd round matchup of the tournament, a re-energized Volunteer squad play the darlings of the tournament, the Mercer Bears. Mercer fought fire with fire against Duke, quickening their pace and playing very efficient offense. Tennessee will definitely control the pace as they normally do. The Vols need to make sure their big guns Jordan McRae, Jarnell Stokes, and Josh Richardson out muscle and out shoot Mercer as the Bears look for another upset.
UCLA (4) vs. Stephen F. Austin (12) - The Bruins are somehow overlooked even with their elite offense. They have 7 legitimate scoring options in Adams, Anderson, LaVine, Alford, Powell, and the Wear twins. They typically control the pace and pull away from teams late, just as they did against Tulsa and should do the same in this matchup. Stephen F. Austin hit a miraculous 4 point play in order to force OT and eventually get the W. The Lumberjacks will have to adjust to a pace that will assuredly be faster than they're used to.
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