Men's NCAA Tournament West Region 2nd Round Breakdowns
#1 Michigan State versus #16 LIU-Brooklyn
Michigan State trots out stars in Draymond Green, Keith Appling, Austin Thornton, and Derrick Nix. Long Island has no such big name stars. However, Long Island does have three double-digit scorers and they are the third ranked scoring team in the nation at 81.9 points per game. The Blackbirds are also a strong rebounding team, but only outrebound Michigan State statistically by about half a rebound per game. No 16-seed has ever beaten a 1-seed, and nothing would indicate Michigan State will be the first to lose. They just have too much talent for Long Island.
#8 Memphis versus #9 Saint Louis
This is interesting for Memphis because they finished with only eight losses and probably deserved a bit higher of a seed. As it stands now, if they get out of this matchup with St. Louis, they will have to face the No. 1-seeded Spartans. Memphis is a team that runs the floor well. They are athletic and quick. The Tigers shoot a blistering percentage from the floor (49.4%). They have three double-digit scorers, led by Baltimore product Will Barton. Josh Pastner also plays a lot guys off the bench. Nine players average over 16 minutes per game. Pastner can keep his players fresh as games wear on. That will be a huge benefit for Memphis moving forward. St. Louis’ head coach, Rick Majerus, has coached his third team to the NCAA Tournament. He brings a winning attitude and an atmosphere of success with the Billikins. They don’t score a lot of points (under 70 per game), but they also go quite deep. They have eight solid contributors. Brian Conklin, leading scorer and second-leading rebounder, is Marjerus’ best player. St. Louis is a solid team in the A-10, but look for Memphis to try and run them out of the gym.
#5 New Mexico versus #12 Long Beach State
The Mountain West has been very good conference this season. New Mexico eked out first place over a good San Diego State team by winning their conference tournament behind some strong performances. Drew Gordon went 8-10 from the floor against UNLV in the final. Gordon averages a double-double per game, and Kendall Williams runs the point guard position well for Steve Alford’s club. He averages over four assists per game. Alford runs nine players that average over 15 minutes per game. This is strong team that is playing very well right now. Don’t count out Long Beach State though. They are 18-2 in their last 20 games. They score 74 points a game, and have a quality scorer Casper Ware, who could really play and score for any team in the country. The 5-12 matchup is always primed for an upset every year. Long Beach State has a shot, but New Mexico looks too tough.
#4 Louisville versus #13 Davidson
Louisville had a tremendous run through the Big East tournament to improve their seeding. Rick Pitino’s squad has a lot of talent on the roster. They just haven’t always played their best basketball during the regular season. Point guard Peyton Siva has delivered for the Cardinals. When they need a big bucket or a big play, Siva is generally behind it. Pinpoint shooter Kyle Kuric leads the team in scoring (13.1). They have two solid big boys to handle the rebounding in Gorgui Dieng and Chane Behanan. It’s an all-around solid team with a lot of pieces Pitino can use at any point during a game. Louisville just needs to avoid an emotional letdown after their great conference tournament run. Davidson is waiting to knock them off. Davidson has had some success in the NCAA Tournament in the past. Louisville does not shoot a high percentage, which leaves Davidson an opening. They score nearly 80 points per game, and they are a strong rebounding team. De’Mon Brooks is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Wildcats. He leads the Davidson squad on their quest for a first-round upset bid.
#6 Murray State versus #11 Colorado State
For a 30-1 team, Murray State seems a little under seeded. Murray State has proven they can beat anyone they play. They exacted revenge against Tennessee State during the conference tournament at the end of the season. The Racers boast Isaiah Canaan and Donte Poole, two strong scorers that could most likely play for any team in the country. The Racers generally have nine guys that play each contest. They shoot 40% from three-point range and nearly 48% from the field, which are among the best team stats in the country. They take on a Colorado State team that finished fourth in the Mountain West. However, they beat the top three teams in the conference at least once during the season. They shoot the ball well at nearly 48% per game. But they turn the ball over about 13 times per game and have a tough time accumulating points. It doesn’t seem like the Rams have enough to take out the potent Racers.
#3 Marquette versus #14 BYU/Iona
Marquette was the second best Big East team all season long. Buzz Williams has his team playing at its highest level since he’s been coach there. They have the Big East Player of the Year on their roster in Jae Crowder. He averages 17.4 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game. He shoots over 50% from the field and nearly 75% from the free throw line. This is a solid team from top to bottom. Darius Johnson-Odom, Davante Gardner, Vander Blue, and Junior Cadougan help fill out the talent on the roster. They will face off against one of two teams many analysts believe shouldn’t even be in the field. BYU is a high scoring team, but they don’t have any great wins on their resume. Iona at least leads the nation in scoring and assists per game. Scott Machado is a very good point guard that averages nearly 10 assists per game. The Gaels had some good wins early in the year and tapered off towards the end of the year. They can justify their entry into the tournament with a huge upset over the Golden Eagles.
#7 Florida versus #10 Virginia
This is a matchup between two teams that had great years in their respective conferences, but couldn’t turn their seasons from very good to great. Virginia was fourth in the ACC this season and had a remarkable year under Tony Bennett despite being plagued by injuries for most of the season. Mike Scott was in the running for ACC Player of the Year up until the last few weeks of the season. He is their go-to scoring option. He had superb performances in two games against Maryland this season, scoring over 30 points in the second game. He also is clutch at the end of games. He shoots 81% from the foul line. Freshman Joe Harris and senior Sammy Zeglinski add three-point shooting options for Bennett.
Florida is an athletic team that shoots the three more than nearly everyone in the country. They make about 10 per game which is best in the nation. That style of play is a little different from Billy Donovan’s back-to-back national championship teams of 2006 and 2007. Those teams were bigger and stouter down low. This team is quicker and rangier and they make their living from behind the arc. Kenny Boynton leads the way at 16.3 points per game. Bradley Beal, when he plays at his best, can be the catalyst for this team. He’s a strong three-point shooter and rebounder. Donovan has a ton of tournament experience. That may buy Florida a few wins. Virginia is a strong defensive team though. They hope to slow down the three-point proficiency of the Gators.
#2 Missouri versus #15 Norfolk State
Missouri is one of the most potent teams in the country. They have a lot of team chemistry. They accumulated 30 wins this season and won the Big 12 tournament. Marcus Denmon, Kim English, and Ricardo Ratliffe are the three-headed monster for Frank Haith’s team. Combined, they average about 35 points per game. Five players average in double figures scoring. There are seven seniors on this roster to help guide this team through tough situations and high-pressure games. This team has the perfect formula for advancing throughout the tournament. They’ve faced great competition in the Big 12 and they will be ready to face anyone. Norfolk State is enjoying their first ever tournament bid. Kyle O’Quinn averages a double-double for the Spartans. Norfolk State is simply overmatched in this one. Missouri has lofty goals for this tournament.
