By Peyton Wesner
17-10 (6-7) Pittsburgh
at 17-9 (8-5) Syracuse
17-10 (6-7) Pittsburgh
Solid Wins:
-Kansas State 70-47 in Third Place Game of Maui Invitational.
-Manhattan 65-56 (Home)
-Oakland 81-77 in Overtime (Home)
-Florida Gulf Coast 71-54 (Home)
-Florida State 73-64 (Home)
-#8 Notre Dame 76-72 (Home)
-Syracuse 83-77 (Home)
-#12 North Carolina 89-76 (Home)
"Never Shoulda Happened" Losses:
-Hawaii 74-70 (Road)
-Virginia Tech 70-67 in Overtime (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To #2 Virginia 61-49 (Road)
Key Players:
---#1 Jamel Artis (SO)
-13.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, & 2.1 APG.
---#2 Michael Young (SO)
-12.8 PPG & 7.5 RPG.
---#0 James Robinson (JR)
-9.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 5.0 APG, & 1.1 SPG.
---#3 Cameron Wright (SR)
-9.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, & 1.6 SPG.
---#12 Chris Jones (SO)
-8.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, & 2.1 APG.
---#13 Josh Newkirk (SO)
-6.6 PPG & 3.3 RPG.
17-9 (8-5) Syracuse
***Self-Disciplined w/ Ineligibility
Solid Wins:
-Iowa 66-63 in Consolation Championship of 2K Classic.
-Louisiana Tech 71-69 (Home)
-Colgate 78-43 (Home)
-Florida State 70-57 (Home)
-Wake Forest 86-83 in Overtime (Home)
Conference Losses:
-Clemson 66-53 (Road)
-Miami (FL) 66-62 (Home)
-#13 North Carolina 93-83 (Road)
-Pittsburgh 83-77 (Road)
-#4 Duke 80-72 (Home)
Last Game:
-Win Against #12 Louisville 69-59 (Home)
Key Players:
---#25 Rakeem Christmas (SR)
-18.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.0 SPG, & 2.5 BPG.
---#10 Trevor Cooney (JR)
-14.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.4 APG, & 1.8 SPG.
---#0 Michael Gbinije (JR)
-13.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, & 1.7 SPG.
---#21 Tyler Roberson (SO)
-7.8 PPG & 7.3 RPG.
---#14 Kaleb Joseph (FR)
-6.9 PPG, 2.3 RPG, & 4.3 APG.
Prediction:
This afternoon I believe the Orange will continue to roll at home and win against Pittsburgh. The way Syracuse came back and played versus Louisville last Wednesday impressed me greatly as their defense held the Cardinals to only 59 points. In addition, the offense was clicking on all cylinders as Michael Gbinije and Tyler Roberson scored in double-figures while star Rakeem Christmas dominated with a twenty-nine point, eight rebound, four block performance. While the Orange came out on top against their ranked opponent, Pittsburgh struggled mightily against Virginia. On the night, the Panthers finished shooting at 38.6%. Granted is the fact that Syracuse is not the same quality of defense as the Virginia Cavaliers, but I expect Christmas to play great again and Cooney to break out of Wednesday's shooting lows with a better outing.
---Syracuse 67, Pittsburgh 61
6:00 PM EST-CBS College Sports
14-12 (5-8) UNLV
at 14-12 (6-8) New Mexico
14-12 (5-8) UNLV
Solid Wins:
-Sam Houston State 59-57 (Home)
-Temple 57-50 in Third Place Game of Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.
-Albany 75-59 (Home)
-#3 Arizona 71-67 (Home)
-Utah State 79-77 in Overtime (Home)
-Air Force 74-63 (Home)
-Fresno State 73-61 (Home)
Single-Digit Conference Losses:
-Wyoming 76-71 (Road)
-Nevada 64-62 (Home)
-Boise State 82-73 in Overtime (Road)
-San Diego State 53-47 (Road)
-New Mexico 71-69 (Home)
-Colorado State 83-82 (Road)
-Air Force 76-75 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To Boise State 53-48 (Home)
Key Players:
---#1 Rashad Vaughn (FR)
(DNP in last two with torn meniscus in left knee.)
-17.8 PPG & 4.8 RPG.
---#5 Christian Wood (SO)
-15.5 PPG, 10.0 RPG, & 3.0 BPG.
---#2 Patrick McCaw (FR)
-9.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.8 APG, & 1.4 SPG.
---#45 Cody Doolin (SR)
-6.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.9 APG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#22 Jelan Kendrick (SR)
-6.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, & 2.6 APG.
14-12 (6-8) New Mexico
Solid Wins:
-New Mexico State 62-47 (Home)
-Valparaiso 63-46 (Road)
-Louisiana-Monroe 54-46 (Home)
-New Mexico State 69-67 (Road)
-Fresno State 76-64 (Home)
-#24 Colorado State 66-53 (Home)
-Utah State 66-60 (Road)
-UNLV 71-69 (Home)
"Never Shoulda Happened" Losses:
-Grand Canyon 68-65 (Road)
-Air Force 53-49 (Road)
-Nevada 66-63 in Overtime (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To San Diego State 63-46 (Home)
Key Players:
---#33 Deshawn Delaney (SR)
-12.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.1 APG, & 1.4 SPG.
---#3 Hugh Greenwood (SR)
-11.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, & 1.3 SPG.
---#12 Devon Williams (SO)
-6.4 PPG & 3.2 RPG.
---#11 Obij Aget (SO)
-6.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, & 1.3 BPG.
---#20 Sam Logwood (FR)
-5.9 PPG & 2.6 RPG.
Prediction:
Although this matchup would have been much better in 2013 when Anthony Bennett and Mike Moser were on UNLV and Tony Snell, Cameron Bairstow, and Kendall Williams on New Mexico, tonight's matchup could still be entertaining since both teams are evenly matched. Unfortunately for both schools is the fact that each team's leading scorers are out due to injury. In fact, the injuries to New Mexico's Cullen Neal at the beginning of the season and UNLV's Rashad Vaughn eleven days ago has derailed both rivals chances of making the NCAA Tournament. Nevertheless, only able players can play tonight at "The Pit." With the Lobos winning the first matchup by two points, my initial thought is that UNLV would win and split the series, but with the game in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I feel UNM will ultimately come out on top.
---New Mexico 62, UNLV 58
7:30 PM EST-ESPNU
14-11 (6-7) Tennessee
at 18-8 (9-4) Ole Miss
14-11 (6-7) Tennessee
Solid Wins:
-Texas Southern 70-58 (Home)
-Kansas State 65-54 (Home)
-#15 Butler 67-55 (Home)
-Mississippi State 61-47 (Road)
-#19 Arkansas 74-69 (Home)
-South Carolina 66-62 (Road)
-Auburn 71-63 (Home)
-Vanderbilt 76-73 in Overtime (Road)
Single-Digit Losses:
-Texas A&M 67-61 (Home)
-Arkansas 69-64 (Road)
-Mississippi State 71-66 (Home)
-Georgia 56-53 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To #1 Kentucky 66-48 (Home)
Key Players:
---#1 Josh Richardson (SR)
-15.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, & 2.0 SPG.
---#0 Kevin Punter (JR)
-10.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.8 APG, & 1.7 SPG.
---#4 Armani Moore (JR)
-10.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.2 BPG, & 1.6 SPG.
---#3 Robert Hubbs III (SO)
-6.5 PPG & 3.0 RPG.
18-8 (9-4) Ole Miss
Lunardi's Bracketology: 9 Seed
Solid Wins:
-#23 Creighton 75-68 in Semi-Final of Emerald Coast Classic.
-Cincinnati 66-54 in Championship of Emerald Coast Classic.
-Oregon 79-73 (Road)
-Coastal Carolina 71-68 (Home)
-#19 Arkansas 96-82 (Road)
-Florida 72-71 (Home)
-Texas A&M 69-59 (Home)
-Florida 62-61 (Road)
"Never Shoulda Happened" Losses:
-Charleston Southern 66-65 in Overtime (Home)
-TCU 66-54 (Home)
-Western Kentucky 81-74 (Home)
Last Game:
-Win Against Mississippi State 71-65 (Road)
Key Players:
---#42 Stefan Moody (JR)
-16.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.2 APG, & 1.6 SPG.
---#32 Jarvis Summers (SR)
-12.2 PPG, 1.8 RPG, & 4.4 APG.
---#10 Ladarius White (SR)
-11.2 PPG & 3.0 RPG.
---#11 Sebastian Saiz (SO)
-7.2 PPG & 5.2 RPG.
---#4 M.J. Rhett (SR)
-7.0 PPG & 4.8 RPG.
---#23 Dwight Coleby (SO)
-6.0 PPG & 4.9 RPG.
Prediction:
Two of the best scoring guards in the SEC face-off today in Oxford with the hope of getting their team the win. Stefan Moody's Ole Miss Rebels were on a six-game winning streak before being defeated by Arkansas at home last Saturday. The game was an exciting affair that ended with Arkansas's Manuele Walker making a layup to give the Razorbacks a one point lead and Mississippi's Jarvis Summers missing a potential game winning jumper. The following game the Rebels survived their rival Mississippi State in an upset attempt. Unlike the Ole Miss Rebels, the Tennessee Volunteers are coming in very cold as they have lost six out of their last eight. The only postive thing during this span is the performance of Josh Richardson. Richardson has averaged 16 points per game in his last eight outings, but has received no support from his defense. Defense is what Tennessee will need to win tonight on the road, and without it Moody, Summers, and White will combine for 80% of their team's points in a Rebels' victory.
---Ole Miss 70, Tennessee 63
9:00 PM EST-ESPN
16-11 (8-6) UCLA
at 23-3 (11-2) 7. Arizona
16-11 (8-6) UCLA
Lunardi's Bracketology: 11 Seed, Last Four Byes
Solid Wins:
-Coastal Carolina 84-71 (Home)
-Long Beach State 77-63 (Home)
-Stanford 86-81 in Double Overtime (Home)
-#11 Utah 69-59 (Home)
-Stanford 69-67 (Road)
-Oregon State 75-59 (Home)
-Oregon 72-63 (Home)
Conference Losses:
-Colorado 62-56 (Road)
-Oregon State 66-56 (Road)
-Oregon 82-64 (Road)
-California 64-62 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To Arizona State 68-66 (Road)
Key Players:
---#4 Norman Powell (SR)
-16.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, & 2.0 SPG.
---#20 Bryce Alford (SO)
-15.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.2 APG, & 1.1 SPG.
---#5 Kevon Looney (FR)
-12.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, & 1.0 BPG.
---#23 Tony Parker (JR)
-10.4 PPG & 7.3 RPG.
---#10 Issac Hamilton (SO)
-10.3 PPG & 7.0 RPG.
23-2 (11-2) 7. Arizona
Lunardi's Bracketology: 2 Seed
Solid Wins:
-Missouri 72-53 in Quarterfinal of Maui Invitational
-Kansas State 72-68 in Semi-Final of Maui Invitational
-#15 San Diego State 61-59 in Championship of Maul Invitational
-#9 Gonzaga 66-63 in Overtime (Home)
-Michigan 80-52 (Home)
-UTEP 60-55 (Road)
-Oregon 80-62 (Road)
-#8 Utah 69-51 (Home)
-Stanford 89-82 (Road)
-California 73-50 (Road)
-Oregon 90-56 (Home)
-Oregon State 57-34 (Home)
"Never Should Have Happened" Losses:
-UNLV 71-67 (Road)
-Oregon State 58-56 (Road)
-Arizona State 81-78 (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against USC 87-57
Key Players:
---#5 Stanley Johnson (FR)
-14.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, & 1.5 SPG.
---#21 Brandon Ashley (JR)
-11.6 PPG & 5.3 RPG.
---#23 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SO)
-11.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, & 1.2 SPG.
---#4 T.J. McConnell (SR)
-9.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.0 APG, & 2.2 SPG.
---#35 Kaleb Tarczewski (JR)
-8.9 PPG & 5.0 RPG.
---#1 Gabe York (JR)
-8.6 PPG & 1.9 RPG.
Prediction:
What a great game for College Gameday...well if UCLA could play defense. The UCLA Bruins have had a very up and down season to say the least as they have had great wins like at Stanford and at home against Utah, but terrible losses like on the road against Colorado and Arizona State. The Bruins strength is in their scoring power, but with it comes a lack of bench scoring that is one of the worst in the country. This season Freshman Kevin Looney has lived up to his hype while the coach's son, Bryce Alford, has become a star as a "Super Sophomore." Unfortunately for the Bruins, UCLA's opponent tonight has a great Freshman to go along with a "Super Sophomore" and a good Junior. The Arizona Wildcats have had a great season with some very disappointing losses as well. The Wildcats like I previously stated are led by a plethora of talent that starts with their big three of Stanley Johnson (FR), Brandon Ashley (JR), and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SO). The trio average about half of their team's points, which hints that they are not the only talented players on the team. This evening UCLA's lack of defense will lead to Arizona putting a lot of points on the board in a blowout victory on national television.
---Arizona 80, UCLA 62
10:00 PM EST-ESPN2
27-1 (15-0) 3. Gonzaga
at 20-6 (12-3) Saint Mary's
27-1 (15-0) 3. Gonzaga
Solid Wins:
-#22 SMU 72-56
-Georgia 88-76 in Semi-Final of NIT Season Tip-Off.
-St. John's 73-66 in Championship of NIT Season Tip-Off.
-UCLA 87-74 (Road)
-BYU 87-80 (Road)
-Pepperdine 78-76 (Road)
-Saint Mary's 68-47 (Home)
-Memphis 82-64 (Home)
-Pepperdine 56-48 (Home
Only Loss:
-#3 Arizona 65-63 in Overtime (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against Pacific 86-74 (Road)
Key Players:
---#33 Kyle Wiltjer (JR)
-17.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, & 1.9 APG.
---#4 Kevin Pangos (SR)
-12.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.9 APG, & 1.2 SPG.
---#22 Byron Wesley (SR)
-10.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#24 Przemek Karnowski (JR)
-10.3 PPG & 5.9 RPG.
---#11 Domantas Sabonis (FR)
-9.8 PPG & 7.0 RPG.
---#5 Gary Bell Jr. (SR)
-8.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, & 2.0 APG.
20-6 (12-3) Saint Mary's
Solid Wins:
-New Mexico State 83-71 (Home)
-UC Irvine 72-69 (Home)
-Creighton 71-67 in Overtime (Road)
-Northeastern 72-68 in Overtime (Home)
-Pepperdine 68-59 (Road)
-San Diego 70-58 (Home)
-BYU 82-77 (Home)
-San Diego 69-62 in Double Overtime (Road)
Losses to Unranked Opponents:
-Boise State 82-71 (Home)
-Northern Arizona 73-71 (Home)
-Pepperdine 67-62 (Home)
-BYU 82-60 (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against Portland 68-51 (Home)
Key Players:
---#00 Brad Waldow (SR)
-19.7 PPG, 9.1 RPG, & 2.5 APG.
---#3 Kerry Carter (SR)
-12.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, & 1.5 SPG.
---#20 Aaron Bright (SR)
-10.8 PPG, 2.0 RPG, & 3.8 APG.
---#22 Garrett Jackson (SR)
-7.5 PPG & 4.3 RPG.
---#41 Emmett Naar (FR)
-6.5 PPG, 1.8 RPG, & 4.5 APG.
Prediction:
In the West Coast Conference, there are normally four games a year that a fan of the conference cannot miss: BYU versus Saint Mary's (twice) and Saint Mary's versus Gonzaga (twice). This evening the matchup is Gonzaga at Saint Mary's. The Gonzaga Bulldogs have had a near perfect season so far as their only defeat came in a three-point loss in Tuscon against the currently seventh ranked Arizona Wildcats. The Zags are led by former Kentucky Wildcat, Kyle Wiltjer. Wiltjer had a career-high forty-five points in his previous game against Pacific on Thursday Night, which is the most points in a game by a Bulldog in the last 54 years. The thing that makes Gonzaga so great has to be their depth as they have so many good players that contribute. Tonight though, "Zaga" could be on upset alert since they travel to their long-time rival's gym. The Saint Mary's Gaels do not just need this win to get a decent seed in the NCAA Tournament, but just to get into the "Big Dance." Currently the Gaels are not in Lunardi's projected field, "Last Four Out" nor "Next Four Out." That fact alone means that the Gaels need a lot of help to get into the NCAA Tournament if they cannot win the conference tournament. What helps more than a win against the third best team in the nation? Personally, I feel like Saint Mary's will give Gonzaga all they can handle, but the number of players the Bulldogs have to score when needed is too much to pick against and will eventually help the Zags surpass the Gaels in points, ultimately, getting the win
---Gonzaga 73, Saint Mary's 69
PW's Prediction Record Coming into Today: 170-61 (59-16 in the MVC)
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