Loading ...Keeler’s Rivalry Week Breakdown
This week has already lived up to the hype with Villanova and Kansas getting huge road wins over top 15 teams last night. The best might be yet to come. Let’s take a look at the big games happening during rivalry week, particularly in the next few days:
Tennessee @ Vanderbilt – As Dan mentioned, this is a game where the Volunteers can get right back in the SEC East race. However, Vanderbilt is due for a big win in one of the toughest places to play in the SEC. The Commodores have a balanced attack. Keep an eye on John Jenkins, who can light it up from the perimeter. I like Vanderbilt in a close game.
Purdue @ Michigan State - This game became much more meaningful for the Big Ten regular season title when Illinois beat the Spartans last Saturday. In a loss, Tom Izzo’s club showed their depth and that other players can step up including Chris Allen and Draymond Green. Purdue has lost nine straight in East Lansing. It will be interesting to see if they could pull out a close game late. Robbie Hummel should have a big game, so I think even with Kalin, this is Purdue’s time– especially with all that talent.
Illinois @ Wisconsin – The Illini, as previously mentioned, got a big win over Michigan State last Saturday, but now the tough part of their Big Ten schedule continues with a trip to the Kohl Center. Wisconsin is a team that can make a serious run come March because they can shoot the basketball (as they showed @ Michigan) and they can play great defense. Even if McCaney can keep Illinois close, I like Wisconsin because of their depth and Trevon Hughes.
UCONN @ Syracuse – The Orange are one of the top teams, if not the best team, in college basketball right now and I think they will have no trouble with UCONN. The key will be how UCONN shoots the basketball. They are one of the worst teams in the nation in shooting the three point jump shot. How will the Huskies react if Syracuse takes a big lead early? They will need balance from Gavin Edwards and their guard play in order to upset the Orange. Syracuse by 10.
Duke @ UNC – If North Carolina is going to have a shot to get back on the good side of the bubble, they will more than likely have to beat Duke at least once. Wednesday night might be the night that happens. Duke has struggled on the road this season, including a close win @ BC last Saturday. Roy Williams is going to need Larry Drew and Dexter Strickland to play a great game to have a chance, because that’s the advantage Duke has over them. I like UNC to pull off the upset because of their interior game. I think Deon Thompson and Ed Davis can wear down a Blue Devils frontcourt that has not played well against physical opponents. Of course in this rivalry, there is never a upset.
New Mexico @ UNLV – The Runnin’ Rebels are playing as well as any team in the country. Lon Krueger’s club is coming off a dominant performance against BYU last Saturday behind a great performance from Tre’von Willis. Steve Alford’s club has also been strong this year, but I like UNLV in a close game to take the lead in the Mountain West standings.
Florida @ South Carolina – The last time these two teams played, Chandler Parsons hit another buzzer beater to bail Florida out in Gainesville. Now, the scene shifts to Columbia where these two teams are heading in opposite directions. The Gators have won 3 of their last 4 in the SEC and have jumped right back in contention for the SEC East while the Gamecocks are going to try to bounce back after a 20+ point loss to Tennessee on Saturday. Devan Downey will need to have a great game for an upset to happen, but he is also going to need some help from his supporting cast. This is a must win for South Carolina’s tournament chances. Prediction: South Carolina wins with a great performance from Downey.
Richmond @ Rhode Island – These two teams were not picked to be in first place to begin the season out of the Atlantic 10. After Wednesday night, one of these two teams will have that honor. The Spiders have some great wins out of conference and a big conference win over Temple last Saturday. But, I am going to take Rhode Island because their defense is statistically one of the best in the conference and in a home game, defense will take over late.
Saint Mary’s @ Gonzaga – Most bracket experts, such as the esteemed Daniel Evans, have St. Mary’s as one of their last four teams in, but they will need a big win to make up for their lack of a standout resume out of conference. I don’t think it will come in the Kennel. Elias Harris is the second best freshman in college basketball behind John Wall and he had one of his best performances of the year @ St. Mary’s last time around. Gonzaga wins big.
Notre Dame @ Seton Hall - The Irish are in need of a road win to bulk their resume up, while Seton Hall needs a win period. This game features two of the many Big East teams that are on the bubble right now. I like the Irish because of Luke Harangody and because they can shoot the 3 just as well as the Pirates do.
Ole Miss @ Mississippi State – This game is a rematch of the Bulldogs upset in Oxford early on in SEC play. These two teams have not played their best basketball since that game. The Rebels had to come from 20+ points down to beat Alabama at home while the Bulldogs have lost their last three games and are squarely on the bubble. My prediction is that Mississippi State will sweep this rivalry because of their defense and shot blocking extraordinaire Jarvis Vanardo.
Washington @ California - This game symbolizes the wild mediocre season the Pac-10 is having. These two teams were ranked in the preseason top 25, but are now playing for the Pac-10 lead and maybe the only bid in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies have not won a road game all year. I like Cal to win for that reason and I think Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher will have a big night for the Golden Bears
West Virginia @ Pittsburgh - The backyard brawl is revisited in Pittsburgh this Friday as these two teams are looking to build up their seeding in the Big East Tournament next month. The last time these two teams played, the game got ugly on the court with a Mountaineer blowout and off the court with the rowdy, unsportsmanlike behavior from their student section. This game just spells revenge for the Panthers. How will the Mountaineers respond after a tough loss to Villanova last night? Pittsburgh is a great team in their building, which is one of the toughest in the conference. The key for Pittsburgh will be to keep Da’Sean Butler from having a big night. If you look at the numbers, this Mountaineer team only wins when Butler puts the ball in the basket. Last night, his scoring was severely hindered in the second half by the depth of the Wildcats. So, this time, I will take Pittsburgh to get a statement win with Ashton Gibbs and Jermaine Dixon.
