It all ends tonight when the Butler Bulldogs face off against the UConn Huskies. Butler will be looking for redemption after coming within inches of a title last year while streaking UConn hopes to top off a magical run behind the brilliant play of first team All-American Kemba Walker. It will also be a battle of coaches tonight. Jim Calhoun looks to put another title on his impressive resume while Butler coach Brad Stevens will look to become the youngest coach (34) to win an NCAA title. Will Kemba carry his team tonight? Will Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard get their revenge from last year? It all tips of at 9:23 pm. Here is a break down of the ultimate edge:
Back court
Butler
Best Three:
Shelvin Mack 15.9 PPG 3.6 RPG 4.3 APG
Shawn Vanzant 8.1 PPG 3.2 RPG 1.7 APG
Ronald Nored 5.3 PPG 3.1 RPG 2.5 APG
UConn
Best Three:
Kemba Walker 23.9 PPG 5.3 RPG 4.3 APG
Jeremy Lamb 11.1 PPG 4.5 RPG 1.5 APG
Shabzz Napier 8.0 PPG 2.4 RPG 3.0 APG
All eyes will be on Kemba Walker tonight as he looks to bring UConn to the top. In his way will be the Butler guards consisting of Shelvin Mack and Ronald Nored. The key match up in tonight will be Kemba Walker vs Ronald Nored. Kemba is arguably the most talented player in the country. His speed and quickness make him incredibly tough to guard. Ronald Nored is considered one of the best individual defenders in the country. In order for Butler to win, Nored will have to contain Kemba's penetration and force him to take perimeter shots. Shelvin Mack will have to have another good game as well. He was shot the ball remarkably well over the tournament, and if he can stay hot Butler will be in good position tonight. For UConn it's pretty basic; Kemba Walker has to play well. When he plays well his team plays well and vice versa. The ex factor tonight will be Jeremy Lamb. If he can hit a few shots early in the game it will take some pressure off of Walker.
Edge: UConn
Front court
Butler
Best Three
Matt Howard
Khyle Marshall
Garett Butcher
UConn
Best Three
Alex Oriahki 9.6 PPG 8.6 RPG 0.4 APG
Roscoe Smith 6.5 PPG 5.2 RPG 0.5 APG
Jamal Coombs-McDaniels 5.8 PPG 2.7 RPG 0.4 APG
Matt Howard still has that sour taste in his mouth since last April. Howard played with four fouls for the last minutes of last years title game. Tonight his main concern should be to stay out of foul trouble. His tenacity and energy is great, but it can sometimes lead him to dumb fouls. He needs to stay out of foul trouble if Butler is going to win tonight. Howard has added a perimeter game to his arsenal this year so look for that to make a difference tonight. He has shot 40.9 percent on three pointers this year. For UConn, Alex Oriahki will have to continue his stellar play in order for them to win tonight. He has been an offensive rebounding machine during the post season. It will be critical for him to give his team second opportunities to score tonight.
Edge: Butler
Coaching:
Jim Calhoun vs Brad Stevens
The coaching match up tonight will be outstanding. Jim Calhoun has lead a team loaded with freshmen and sophomores to the National Title game. That is a very tough task indeed. His ability to coach through adversity has been incredible. Remember this is his third title game in the last 12 years so it's not like he hasn't been here before. Brad Stevens is arguably the best in game coach in the country. His ability to get the best out of his players is truly remarkable. I don't think anybody had Butler going this far. Don't expect Butler to be phased this time. They now have the experience to know what it takes to win the title.
Edge: Even
All in All:
Expect this game to go down to the wire. Both teams are used to playing very physical so expect this to be a low scoring affair. Butler really likes to get at you physically and mentally. They like to take other teams out of their game so look for them to try and mix things up tonight. On the other hand, Butler hasn't faced a player as good as Kemba since early December (Kyrie Irving, Duke won 82-70). Walker has the ability to completely take over a game by himself. But it will be his teammates job to consistently make plays throughout the game.
Prediction:
Butler 63-61 game winning shot by Shelvin Mack at buzzer
Kemba Walker 21 Points 5 Rebounds 4 Assists
Showing posts with label shelvin mack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shelvin mack. Show all posts
Monday, April 4, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
NCAA Final Four Preview and Predictions
It should be an exciting Final Four tonight including two teams who have been national powers over the last decade and two teams who, between them, only have one Final Four appearance. Butler is looking to go to it's second straight title game behind tough defense and Coaching brilliance by Brad Stevens while VCU looks to continue to shock the tournament world behind the gutsy play of Joey Rodriguez and Jamie Skeen. In the nine o clock game we have two of the most storied college basketball programs in the country squaring off. UConn will look to reach its third national title game in 12 years while Kentucky will look to make it's first national title game since 1998. A rivalry will be renewed tonight when Jim Calhoun and John Calipari face off tonight. These two coaches were battling for the best team in New England during the 90's and now they will get a chancee to face each other at the biggest stage. Lets start with the VCU vs Butler game.
11 VCU 28-11 vs 8 Butler 27-9 6:09 PM
Back court
VCU
Best Three:
Joey Rodriguez 10.5 PPG 3.3 RPG 5.1 APG
Bradford Burgess 14.3 PPG 6.2 RPG 1.6 APG
Brandon Rozzell 11.6 PPG 2.3 RPG 1.5 APG
Butler
Best Three:
Shelvin Mack 15.9 PPG 4.3 RPG 3.6 APG
Shawn Vanzant 8.1 PPG 3.2 RPG 1.7 APG
Ronald Nored 5.3 PPG 3.1 RPG 2.5 APG
VCU's back court has carried them throughout the tournament so look for them to do the most damage tonight. Joey Rodriguez has had a sensational tournament so far. He may not score a lot but his toughness and energy brings VCU to another level. Bradford Burgess has carried the scoring load throughout the tournament as evidence to his 26 points in a one point win against Florida State. For Butler, Shelvin Mack will have to have a good game. He is one of the best guards in the country as evidence to his seven three pointers against Florida in the elite eight. He will be asked to carry the load for Butler tonight.
Edge: VCU
Front court
Best Three:
Jamie Skeen 15.4 PPG 7.4 PRG 1.6 APG
Juvonte Reddic 3.5 PPG 1.9 RPG 0.3 APG
Toby Veal 2.4 PPG 2.2 RPG 0.2 APG
Butler
Best Three:
Matt Howard 16.7 PPG 7.7 RPG 1.5 APG
Khyle Marshall 5.3 PPG 3.8 RPG 0.3 APG
Garett Butcher 1.6 PPG 1.3 RPG 0.2 APG
The front court matchup between Jamie Skeen and Matt Howard should be very intriguing to watch. Both players aren't afraid to get down and dirty so expect that matchup to be a battle. After those two neither team has many quality players so it will be critical for role players to step up. The question is which ones will step up?
Edge: Butler
Coaching:
Brad Stevens vs Shaka Smart
On one hand we have Shaka Smart who will be making his first appearance in the Final Four tonight. He's been able to rally his Rams to greatness over the past couple of weeks. On the other hand we have Brad Stevens, who is quickly becoming one of the best coaches in the country. Both coaches have different strategies. Smart likes to have his players run up and down the court while Stevens prefers to play a half court game and tough nosed defense. I give the edge to Brad Stevens on this one.
Edge: Butler
Prediction:
Butler will make it's second straight national title game this year behind the gutsy play of Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard and coaching wizz Brad Stevens. VCU hasn't played a defense all year that has been as physical as Butler so that could be the difference in this one.
Butler 70-65
4 Kentucky vs 3 UConn 8:49 PM
Back Court
Best Three
UConn
Kemba Walker 23.9 PPG 5.3 RPG 4.5 APG
Jeremy Lamb 11.1 PPG 4.5 RPG 1.5 APG
Shabazz Napier 8.0 PPG 2.4 RPG 3.0 APG
Kentucky
Best Three
Brandon Knight 17.3 PPG 3.9 RPG 4.3 APG
Doron Lamb 12.3 PPG 2.0 RPG 1.7 APG
Darius Miller 11.4 PPG 4.6 RPG 1.7 APG
Kemba Walker has been a man on a mission the past month. If they voted for National Player of the Year after the tournament he would be the winner. His speed and quickness will cause trouble for Kentucky. But for UConn to beat Kentucky Jeremy Lamb will have to hit some shots early to get some pressure off of Walker. For Kentucky, freshmen Brandon Knight will have to continue to play at a high level if they want to win. He hit some huge shots in their elite eight win over UNC so expect him to have the ball in his hands at the end of the game. Doron Lamb and Darius Miller will have to step up big if Kentucky wants to win tonight. I give the slight edge to UConn because they have Kemba Walker
Edge: UConn
Front Court
UConn
Best Three:
Alex Oriahki 9.6 PPG 8.6 RPG 0.4 APG
Roscoe Smith 6.5 PPG 5.2 RPG 0.5 APG
Jamal Coombs-McDaniels 5.8 PPG 2.7 RPG 0.4 APG
Kentucky
Best Three:
Terrence Jones 15.8 PPG 8.7 RPG 1.6 APG
Josh Harrellson 7.6 PPG 8.8 RPG 0.8 APG
DeAndre Liggins 8.8 PPG 4.1 RPG 2.5 APG
The front court match ups tonight will be very intriguing to watch tonight. Alex Oriahki is one of the top offensive rebounders in the country. He will play a critical role tonight. If he can get some offensive rebounds early to get second chance opportunities then UConn will be in good position. For Kentucky, Terrence Jones will need to make plays tonight. He's a match up nightmare every time he steps on the court. He made big play after big play against UNC last Sunday so he will be relied on heavily to produce some big numbers. Josh Harrelson has really stepped up his game this year. He has become Brian Zoubek Part II except Harrelson can shoot from 15-18 feet. He, like Oriahki, will be relied on to get his team second opportunities to score.
Edge: Kentucky
Coaching: John Calipari vs Jim Calhoun
The old New England rivalry will be renewed tonight on the biggest stage. Calhoun is looking for his third title while Calipari is just trying to make it to Championship without it being vacated.
Edge: UConn
Prediction: UConn will advance to it's first National Title game since 2004 behind another brilliant game from Kemba Walker. He will go for at least 25 tonight. If UConn can control the boards tonight they should be in very good position.
UConn 77-73
11 VCU 28-11 vs 8 Butler 27-9 6:09 PM
Back court
VCU
Best Three:
Joey Rodriguez 10.5 PPG 3.3 RPG 5.1 APG
Bradford Burgess 14.3 PPG 6.2 RPG 1.6 APG
Brandon Rozzell 11.6 PPG 2.3 RPG 1.5 APG
Butler
Best Three:
Shelvin Mack 15.9 PPG 4.3 RPG 3.6 APG
Shawn Vanzant 8.1 PPG 3.2 RPG 1.7 APG
Ronald Nored 5.3 PPG 3.1 RPG 2.5 APG
VCU's back court has carried them throughout the tournament so look for them to do the most damage tonight. Joey Rodriguez has had a sensational tournament so far. He may not score a lot but his toughness and energy brings VCU to another level. Bradford Burgess has carried the scoring load throughout the tournament as evidence to his 26 points in a one point win against Florida State. For Butler, Shelvin Mack will have to have a good game. He is one of the best guards in the country as evidence to his seven three pointers against Florida in the elite eight. He will be asked to carry the load for Butler tonight.
Edge: VCU
Front court
Best Three:
Jamie Skeen 15.4 PPG 7.4 PRG 1.6 APG
Juvonte Reddic 3.5 PPG 1.9 RPG 0.3 APG
Toby Veal 2.4 PPG 2.2 RPG 0.2 APG
Butler
Best Three:
Matt Howard 16.7 PPG 7.7 RPG 1.5 APG
Khyle Marshall 5.3 PPG 3.8 RPG 0.3 APG
Garett Butcher 1.6 PPG 1.3 RPG 0.2 APG
The front court matchup between Jamie Skeen and Matt Howard should be very intriguing to watch. Both players aren't afraid to get down and dirty so expect that matchup to be a battle. After those two neither team has many quality players so it will be critical for role players to step up. The question is which ones will step up?
Edge: Butler
Coaching:
Brad Stevens vs Shaka Smart
On one hand we have Shaka Smart who will be making his first appearance in the Final Four tonight. He's been able to rally his Rams to greatness over the past couple of weeks. On the other hand we have Brad Stevens, who is quickly becoming one of the best coaches in the country. Both coaches have different strategies. Smart likes to have his players run up and down the court while Stevens prefers to play a half court game and tough nosed defense. I give the edge to Brad Stevens on this one.
Edge: Butler
Prediction:
Butler will make it's second straight national title game this year behind the gutsy play of Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard and coaching wizz Brad Stevens. VCU hasn't played a defense all year that has been as physical as Butler so that could be the difference in this one.
Butler 70-65
4 Kentucky vs 3 UConn 8:49 PM
Back Court
Best Three
UConn
Kemba Walker 23.9 PPG 5.3 RPG 4.5 APG
Jeremy Lamb 11.1 PPG 4.5 RPG 1.5 APG
Shabazz Napier 8.0 PPG 2.4 RPG 3.0 APG
Kentucky
Best Three
Brandon Knight 17.3 PPG 3.9 RPG 4.3 APG
Doron Lamb 12.3 PPG 2.0 RPG 1.7 APG
Darius Miller 11.4 PPG 4.6 RPG 1.7 APG
Kemba Walker has been a man on a mission the past month. If they voted for National Player of the Year after the tournament he would be the winner. His speed and quickness will cause trouble for Kentucky. But for UConn to beat Kentucky Jeremy Lamb will have to hit some shots early to get some pressure off of Walker. For Kentucky, freshmen Brandon Knight will have to continue to play at a high level if they want to win. He hit some huge shots in their elite eight win over UNC so expect him to have the ball in his hands at the end of the game. Doron Lamb and Darius Miller will have to step up big if Kentucky wants to win tonight. I give the slight edge to UConn because they have Kemba Walker
Edge: UConn
Front Court
UConn
Best Three:
Alex Oriahki 9.6 PPG 8.6 RPG 0.4 APG
Roscoe Smith 6.5 PPG 5.2 RPG 0.5 APG
Jamal Coombs-McDaniels 5.8 PPG 2.7 RPG 0.4 APG
Kentucky
Best Three:
Terrence Jones 15.8 PPG 8.7 RPG 1.6 APG
Josh Harrellson 7.6 PPG 8.8 RPG 0.8 APG
DeAndre Liggins 8.8 PPG 4.1 RPG 2.5 APG
The front court match ups tonight will be very intriguing to watch tonight. Alex Oriahki is one of the top offensive rebounders in the country. He will play a critical role tonight. If he can get some offensive rebounds early to get second chance opportunities then UConn will be in good position. For Kentucky, Terrence Jones will need to make plays tonight. He's a match up nightmare every time he steps on the court. He made big play after big play against UNC last Sunday so he will be relied on heavily to produce some big numbers. Josh Harrelson has really stepped up his game this year. He has become Brian Zoubek Part II except Harrelson can shoot from 15-18 feet. He, like Oriahki, will be relied on to get his team second opportunities to score.
Edge: Kentucky
Coaching: John Calipari vs Jim Calhoun
The old New England rivalry will be renewed tonight on the biggest stage. Calhoun is looking for his third title while Calipari is just trying to make it to Championship without it being vacated.
Edge: UConn
Prediction: UConn will advance to it's first National Title game since 2004 behind another brilliant game from Kemba Walker. He will go for at least 25 tonight. If UConn can control the boards tonight they should be in very good position.
UConn 77-73
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