Friday, February 27, 2015

PW's College Basketball Predictions for February 27

By Peyton Wesner

For me it is always exciting to see the last "One-Bid Conference" Friday since that means the conference tournaments are very close! This evening we have five games that are very important to conference tournament seeding as well as who will get the NCAA Tournament berth in the Ivy League. 

6:00 PM EST-ESPNU
10-17 (7-11) Siena
at 14-13 (8-10) Quinnipiac

10-17 (7-11) Siena
Solid Wins:
-St. Bonaventure 73-70 (Road)
-Quinnipiac 88-67 (Home)
-Fairfield 68-67 (Road)
-Rider 79-72 (Home)
Single-Digit Conference Losses:
-Manhattan 87-79 (Road)
-Iona 87-83 (Road)
-Saint Peter's 65-57 (Road)
-Canisius 69-63 (Home)
Last Game:
-Loss To Manhattan 80-74 (Home) 
Key Contributors:
---#33 Rob Poole (SR)
-14.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, & 1.2 SPG.
---#1 Marquis Wright (SO)
-12.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.8 APG, & 2.0 SPG.
---#24 Lavon Long (SO)
-10.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.7 APG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#0 Javion Ogunyemi (SO)
-9.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, & 1.4 BPG.
---#5 Evan Hymes (SR)
-8.5 PPG.
---#3 Ryan Oliver (JR)
-6.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, & 1.1 SPG.

14-13 (8-10) Quinnipiac
Good Wins:
-Yale 88-85 in Double Overtime (Home)
-Albany 76-73 in Overtime (Road)
-Oregon State 60-52 (Home)
-Monmouth 68-64 (Road)
-Manhattan 73-59 (Home)
-Monmouth 72-52 (Home)
Single-Digit Losses:
-Fairfield 56-52 in Overtime (Home)
-Saint Peter's 66-60 (Home)
-Iona 81-73 (Road)
-Rider 56-53 (Home)
-Canisius 63-57 (Road)
-Niagara 105-100 in Double Overtime (Road)
-Iona 60-57 (Home)
Last Game:
-Loss To Canisius 65-63 (Road)
Key Contributors:
---#1 Zaid Hearst (SR)
-18.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG & 2.6 APG.
---#23 Ousmane Drame (SR)
-14.6 PPG, 10.6 RPG, & 2.8 BPG.
---#21 Evan Conti (SR)
-8.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, & 2.7 APG.
---#22 Justin Harris (SR)
-7.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, & 1,0 BPG.

One-on-One
Siena's Rob Poole (SR)
-14.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, & 1.2 SPG.
vs.
Quinnipiac's Zaid Hearst (SR)
-18.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG & 2.6 APG.

Prediction:
Let's face it, this game is definatley not the best of the night. Both teams playing are currently on three-game losing streaks and will have to start the MAAC Tournament in play-in games on Day 1. Although those facts are true, this matchup intrigues me a bit, especially since this will be the last time two "Star Seniors" face-off in Siena's Poole and Quinnipiac's Hearst. In additon, with a win Siena would hold a one-game lead over Quinnipiac in the conference standings due to holding the tie-breaker. The first meeting between the two squads, the Saints dismantled the Bobcats as five of their players were in double-digit point totals. Quinnipiac's Zach Hearst struggled greatly and finished the evening six for fifteen from the field. On national television, I believe Hearst will break his recent shooting woes at 30.7% and 10.7 points per game in his last six outings with a twenty-point performance while the defense outplays Siena.
---Quinnipiac 67, Siena 62

7:00 PM EST
12-13 (5-4) Princeton
at 19-8 (8-2) Yale
PW's Ivy League Game of the Night

12-13 (5-4) Princeton
Solid Wins:
-Rider 64-58 (Home)
-Stony Brook 77-64 (Home)
-Lipscomb 71-61 (Home)
-Norfolk State 71-61 (Home)
-Columbia 74-62 (Road)
Questionable Losses:
-George Mason 63-60 (Road)
-Incarnate Word 79-68 (Home)
-Fairleigh Dickinson 89-85 (Road)
-Saint Peter's 60-46 (Road)
-Cornell 68-60 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To Harvard 63-55 (Road)
Key Contributors:
---#10 Spencer Weisz (SO)
-12.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, & 1.1 SPG.
---#30 Hans Brase (JR)
-11.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, & 2.3 APG.
---#25 Steven Cook (SO)
-10.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, & 1.8 SPG.
---#5 Amir Bell (FR)
-9.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, & 2.6 APG.
---#3 Clay Wilson (SR)
-6.0 PPG.
---#31 Pete Miller (SO)
-6.0 PPG, 2.6 RPG, & 1.3 BPG.
---#12 Ben Hazel (SR)
-5.9 PPG.

19-8 (8-2) Yale
#12 Best Mid-Major According to CollegeInsider.com
Good Wins:
-Southern Illinois 53-46 in Men Against Breast Cancer Classic (in Kent, Ohio)
-Kent State 66-59 in Championship of Men Against Breast Cancer Classic.
-Lafayette 82-60 (Home)
-Bryant 67-60 (Road)
-Connecticut 45-44 (Road)
-Vermont 57-56 (Road)
-Princeton 81-73 (Road)
Conference Losses:
-Harvard 52-50 (Home)
Last Game:
-Loss To Columbia 56-50 (Home)
Key Contributors:
---#22 Justin Sears (JR)
-14.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.5 BPG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#20 Javier Duren (SR)
-13.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.2 APG, & 1.3 SPG.
---#4 Jack Montague (JR)
-9.3 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#42 Matt Townsend (SR)
-8.3 PPG & 3.6 RPG.
---#12 Armani Cotton (SR)
-6.4 PPG & 5.5 RPG.
---#11 Makai Mason (FR)
-5.8 PPG & 2.2 RPG.

One-on-One
Princeton's Hans Brase (JR)
-11.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, & 2.3 APG.
vs.
Yale's Justin Sears (JR)
-14.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.5 BPG, & 1.0 SPG.

Prediction:
Yale blew it! All they had to do was win out and even if they lost to Harvard, they would be tied for the conference championship! The Yale Bulldogs lost their first place spot in the Ivy League standings last Saturday as they were defeated 56-50 to Columbia at home. The Bulldogs, who shot 36.5% from the field and 43.8% from the charity stripe, had one of their worst performances of the season in addition to their two best players (Justin Sears and Javier Duren). Sears and Duren ended the night with a field goal percentage of 38.1% while combining for twenty points. As Yale is coming off their most disappointing loss of the season, the Princeton Tigers are coming off  an expected loss to Harvard. Crimson "Star Senior" Wesley Saunders had a great game against the Tigers and netted twenty-three points. Will Princeton cause the Bulldogs to be out of regular season conference champions contention--or make it nearly impossible? Personally, I do not believe the Bulldogs will lose a second straight game this evening, but I do think Sears and Duran will combine for thirty points in a multi-possession victory.
---Yale 64, Princeton 57

7:00 PM EST-ESPN2
15-12 (12-6) Manhattan
at 23-6 (16-2) Iona
PW's Game of the Night
PW's MAAC Game of the Night

15-12 (12-6) Manhattan
Solid Conference Wins:
-Canisius 63-60 (Road)
-Monmouth 71-64 (Home)
-Siena 87-79 (Home)
-Monmouth 87-76 (Road)
-Canisius 78-69 (Home)
Single-Digit Conference Losses:
-Rider 82-79 in Overtime (Home)
-Rider 85-77 in Overtime (Road)
-Iona 70-67 (Home)
Last Game:
-Win Against Marist 67-54 (Road)
Key Contributors:
---#13 Emmy Andujar (SR)
-16.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.5 APG, & 2.2 SPG.
---#0 Shane Richards (JR)
-13.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, & 1.7 APG.
---#1 Ashton Pankey (JR)
-12.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, & 1.4 BPG.
---#12 Rashawn Stores (SR)
-6.1 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 3.0 APG, & 1.0 SPG.

23-5 (16-2) Iona
#15 Best Mid-Major According to CollegeInsider.com
Lunardi's Bracketology: 12 Seed
Good Wins:
-Cleveland State 78-73 (Home)
-Wake Forest 85-81 (Road)
-Rider 77-64 (Home)
-Indiana State 91-84 (Home)
-Florida Gulf Coast 86-67 (Home)
-Rider 78-68 (Road)
-Manhattan 70-67 (Road)
Conference Losses:
-Monmouth 92-89 (Road)
-Canisius 78-74 (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against Monmouth 69-68 (Home)
Key Contributors:
---#13 David Laury (SR)
-20.6 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, & 1.3 BPG.
---#5 A.J. English (JR)
-19.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.3 APG, & 1.4 SPG.
---#4 Schadrac Casimir (FR)
-15.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, & 1.1 SPG.
---#1 Isaiah Williams (JR)
(DNP in last twelve due to foot injury.)
-14.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.2 BPG, & 1.8 SPG.
---#2 Kelvin Amayo (JR)
-7.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, & 2.6 APG.

One-on-One
Manhattan's Emmy Andujar (SR)
-16.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.5 APG, & 2.2 SPG.
vs.
Iona's David Laury (SR)
-20.6 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, & 1.3 BPG.

Prediction:
Iona...Manhattan...Round Two! In case you missed the first meeting between these two great teams from the MAAC, Iona survived, but it was close. To start the showdown, the Gaels jumped out to a 9-2 lead with five of the early points coming from A.J. English. Halfway through the first half with the Gaels lead at 23-12, the Jaspers started a 14-3 run to tie the game at 26. Manhattan was back in the game and the crowd was rocking...until Iona Freshman Schadrac Casimir showed the home faifthful what he could do. Schadrac scored ten of his game-high twenty-two points in the final 6:48, giving Iona a 37-30 lead going into halftime. Coming out of the second half, it was more of the same and Iona increased their lead to twelve. Personally, at this point I thought the Gaels had the game won, but Jaspers' Junior Shane Richards had other plans and nailed two three pointers to make the lead six and get the enviornment rocking again. Later, Richards tickled the twine again giving Manhattan their first lead of the game at the 9:21 mark. The next 8:28 was crazy as the game went back and forth. Then with thirty-two seconds left in regulation, Iona's A.J. English hit the biggest shot of the game as he made a three to give his team a three point lead. The Jaspers' insuing possesion went to Shane Richards. Richards rose up and attempted the game-tying shot. Miss. The rebound landed in the hands of Manhattan's Emmy Andujar, and he was fouled. Andujar made both free throws with seven seconds left, and the Jaspers sent Iona's David Laury to the line for two shots. Laury, who was a 65.8% shooter at the charity stripe, defied the law of averages and gave his team a three point lead. Manhattan hurriedly inbounded the ball and rushed it up court to take a time-out with four seconds in front of their bench. With the game on the line, the ball found the way into the hands of Zane Waterman and him, not Richards attempted a shot to force overtime. Clank! Waterman missed and Iona won. So what will happen tonight? Obviously noted is the fact that the Gaels are one of the higest scoring teams in the nation, but they have no defense to go along with it. Although, Manhattan has the better defense, they do not have enough scoring to win on the road. Look for David Laury to go out in style with a great performance on Senior Night while helping his time get their seventeenth conference win.  
---Iona 75, Manhattan 69

8:00 PM EST-ESPNU
9-17 (4-11) Ohio
at 17-11 (8-7) Akron
MAC's Game of the Night

9-17 (4-11) Ohio
Solid Wins:
-DePaul 99-78 in Consolation Semi-Final of Diamond Head Classic.
-UNC Wilmington 72-53 (Home)
-Buffalo 63-61 (Home)
-Akron 83-82 (Home)
-Eastern Michigan 76-73 (Home)
Single-Digit Conference Losses:
-Toledo 80-73 (Home)
-Central Michigan 74-69 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To Bowling Green 76-65 (Home)
Key Contributors:
---#5 Maurice Daly Ndour (SR)
-14.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 2.1 BPG, & 1.1 SPG.
---#3 Javarez Willis (SR)
-14.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, & 3.0 APG.
---#33 Antonio Campbell (SO)
-10.5 PPG & 7.4 RPG.
---#14 Ryan Taylor (FR)
-8.4 PPG & 2.4 RPG.
---#22 Steve Taylor (SR)
-7.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, & 1.2 SPG.

17-11 (8-7) Akron
Solid Wins
-USC 66-46 in Quarterfinal of Charleston Classic.
-South Carolina 68-62 in Consolation Championship.
-Bryant 72-66 (Home)
-Western Michigan 72-52 (Home)
-Bowling Green 67-50 (Home)
-Central Michigan 82-76 (Home)
-Western Michigan 71-69 (Road)
-Bowling Green 69-68 (Road)
-Buffalo 75-72 (Home)
-Kent State 61-52 (Home)
Poor Conference Losses:
-Northern Illinois 64-61 (Road)
-Ohio 83-82 (Road)
-Eastern Michigan 78-75 (Road)
-Miami (OH) 57-52 in Overtime (Home)
Last Game:
-Loss To Buffalo 67-62 (Road)
Key Contributors:
---#34 Pat Forsythe (JR)
-11.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, & 1.4 BPG.
---#4 Deji Ibitayo (SR)
-10.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#14 Noah Robotham (FR)
(Out for season with torn rIght ACL.)
-9.9 PPG, 2,7 RPG, 3.3 APG, & 1.3 SPG.
---#2 Kwan Cheatham Jr. (SO)
-8.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, & 1.2 BPG.
---#21 Reggie McAdams (JR)
-6.0 PPG & 1.8 RPG.

One-on-One
Ohio's Maurice Daly Ndour (SR)
-14.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 2.1 BPG, & 1.1 SPG.
vs.
Akron's Pat Forsythe (JR)
-11.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, & 1.4 BPG.

Prediction:
Maybe it is just me, but I thought Ohio was going to be waaaaaaay better than they actually are this season. The last time I checked on the Bobcats, it was around Christmas and they were at the Diamond Head Classic. I looked at Ohio's body of work during the tournament and thought that they could be a threat in the Mid-American Conference considering they have a trio of talent in Maurice Daly Ndour, Javarez Willis, and Antonio Campbell. How wrong was I! The Bobcats come into tonight with a conference record of 4-11 to go along with a five-game losing streak. Luckily for Ohio, they will stand a chance since their opponent is dragging a four-game losing streak behind them as well. The Akron Zips picked a horrible time in the conference season to forget how to win. Four games ago the Zips were towards the top of their division with a conference record of 8-3. Today, they are 8-7. What is the reason for the defeats? Obviously all games were close and some breaks didn't go their way, but the offense has been shooting the awful percentage of 36.3%. Yuck! But their is a chance for revenge of the February 4th loss tonight. In meeting one, Ohio came out on top because of a career-high 31 points from Jarvarez Willis. I do not forsee Willis having another career night since the Zips have already seen him once and he comes in averaging only 5.0 points per game in his last two outings. Normally I like a team with scorers, but this time I am going with the group with the better defense. 
---Akron 73, Ohio 65

10:00 PM EST-ESPNU
25-5 (12-3) Valparaiso
at 17-12 (11-4) Cleveland State
PW's Horizon League Game of the Night
PW's Reason to Stay Up Late

25-5 (12-3) Valparaiso
#5 Best Mid-Major According to CollegeInsider.com
Lunardi's Bracketology: 13 Seed
Solid Wins:
-East Tennessee State 90-75 (Home)
-Murray State 93-58 (Home)
-Portland 70-55 in Championship of the Challenge in Music City.
-Eastern Kentucky 72-66 (Road)
-James Madison 79-52 (Road)
-Cleveland State 58-56 (Home)
-Oakland 82-76 (Home)
-Green Bay 63-59 (Home)
Losses:
-Missouri 56-41 (Road)
-New Mexico 63-46 (Home)
-Oakland 89-75 in Overtime (Road)
-Green Bay 51-50 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To Detroit 63-60 (Road)
Key Contributors:
---#25 Alec Peters (SO)
-16.9 PPG & 6.9 RPG.
---#5 Darien Walker (JR)
-11.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG & 1.9 APG.
---#2 Tevonn Walker (FR)
-10.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, & 1.2 BPG.
---#0 Keith Carter (JR)
-9.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, & 1.3 SPG.
---#14 Vashil Fernandez (SR)
-6.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, & 2.9 BPG.
---#1 E. Victor Nickerson (JR)
-6.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, & 2.0 APG.

17-12 (11-4) Cleveland State
Solid Wins:
-San Francisco 69-65 in Overtime (Home)
-Milwaukee 84-57 (Home)
-Oakland 65-61 (Home)
-Detroit 70-66 (Home)
-Green Bay 76-62 (Home)
-Green Bay 66-61 in Overtime (Road)
Conference Losses:
-Valparaiso 58-56 (Road)
-Oakland 59-56 (Road)
-Detroit 66-65 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To Milwaukee 66-60 (Road)
Key Contributors:
---#3 Trey Lewis (JR)
-17.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, & 1.3 SPG.
---#15 Anton Grady (JR)
-14.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG, & 1.4 BPG.
---#31 Charlie Lee (SR)
-12.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#42 Marlin Mason (SR)
-7.6 PPG. 4.6 RPG, & 1.1 BPG.
---#1 Andre Yates (SO)
-5.9 PPG, 1.7 APG, & 1.4 SPG.

One-on-One
Valparaiso's Alec Peters (SO)
-16.9 PPG & 6.9 RPG.
vs.
Cleveland State's Anton Grady (JR)
-14.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG, & 1.4 BPG.

Prediction:
Since the days of Gordon Hayward, Shelvin Mack, and Norris Cole, I have believed that one of the best mid-major conferences--if not the best in the nation--was the Horizon League. This year is support to my argument. Coming into each team's final game prior to the conference tournament, the Horizon League's standings leader is Valparaiso by one game over Oakland and Green Bay, who face-off against each other tomorrow, and tonight's opponent the Cleveland State Vikings. In fact, if Cleveland State wins tonight, there would be a three-way tie for first place at the end of the day tomorrow, but if "Sophomore Stud" Alec Peters and the Crusaders can get a huge road win, then they would be the regular season conference champions and, more importantly, receive home-court advantage throughout the tournament. So with that being said, this is the most important game of each team's season. In the first meeting, the game was very exciting as Valpo hung on for a two point victory. Cleveland State had their chance at tying the game as Vikings' star Trey Lewis was fouled on a three point attempt with 1.7 seconds left in the game. Lewis, who is the third best free throw shooter on the team at 76.1%, made the first attempt but surprisingly missed the second. There was no other choice but to miss the third and pray for an offensive rebound and put back. The ball clanked off the rim and fell in the hands of Valparaiso's E. Victor Nickerson. What will happen tonight as Cleveland State tries to black-out Valpo? No matter who wins this game, I will throughly enjoy watching because there is so much on the line. With that being said, Cleveland State was defeated in a neutral site semi-final last season. This year, they are a different team as Lewis and Grady are better and more experienced. The individual matchup to watch is Valparaiso's Alec Peters versus Cleveland State's Anton Grady. Whichever big man can control the paint with a combination of points, rebounds, and blocks will get his team the win. With the game at Cleveland State, I see that man being Grady and the team being the Vikings.
---Cleveland State 64, Valparaiso 62

PW's Prediction Record Coming into Today: 182-64 (68-17 in the MVC)


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