In the true 1st round of the NCAA Tournament, UConn showed that they were clearly not tired from their Big East Tournament run and didn't have a Big East Tournament hangover, unlike Louisville (which ruined several of my brackets).
Bucknell didn't stand a chance against the Huskies. While the game was kept relatively close for most of the 1st half, with around 8 minutes left, UConn pulled away and would never look back. The Huskies destroyed Bucknell 81-52.
Connecticut's star, Kemba Walker was practically a bystander throughout the first half and let the rest of his team step up, which they did. Walker still almost managed a triple-double finding himself 2 rebounds shy, but he didn't play the whole game and was taken out with 3:47 left in the 2nd half. Overall he had 18 points, 8 rebounds, 12 assists, and 2 steals. Freshman, Roscoe Smith had another great game. After establishing himself in the Big East Tournament, he continued to play well. He scored 17 with 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks. Another freshman, Jeremy Lamb continued his stellar play. He had 16 points, 2 assists, and 1 rebound. Sophomore, Alex Oriakhi played well too with 9 points and dominated the paint grabbing 12 rebounds.
The Huskies move on to the 3rd round (really the 2nd) of the NCAA Tournament and will play Saturday against either 6 seed Cincinnati or 11 seed Missouri.
This UConn team looked very promising without Kemba Walker dominating the game. Look for a deep run in the tournament. They're playing their best basketball when it matters most and are in tournament mode. They could potentially roll through whoever they play in their 2nd game and no.2 seed SDSU in their bracket may not last much longer or will lose to UConn. Expect an Elite 8 appearance at least.
The scary part of this team is that any player other than Kemba can step up any game and dominate, specifically the freshman, Shabazz Napier, Jeremy Lamb, and Roscoe Smith, as well as sophomore, Alex Oriakhi. No matter what happens this year, even if Kemba goes to the NBA, imagine this team next year. If Kemba comes back be even more afraid.
uconn will lose to cinncinati though who is better
ReplyDeletenope joe lunardi is an expert and michelle beadle is pretty smart at her bracket she had lousville losing unlike you
ReplyDeleteYou are entitled to your opinion and I respectfully disagree. However, ESPN's Joe Lunardi and Michelle Beadle would agree with you. I think it's a long shot the way UConn is playing. Joe may be an expert but picking your bracket is a very inexact science and Michelle's bracket is out there. And sorry I was part of the 95.5% of people that picked Louisville in the 2nd round. Its logical
ReplyDeletenope i unlike you picked morehead state but also picked princeton which didnt help my bracket but since they are on espn i think they know what they are talking about somewhat
ReplyDeleteAnd I picked Gonzaga and K-State and not Princeton. ESPN certainly knows what they're talking about and see my "Meet the Blogger" section. I don't claim to be more correct than any other person or organization.
ReplyDeleteI don't care about your picks K-State and Gonzaga may lose soon since both of their games are close so you are no expert sir at college basketball so thats is why i say Uconn may lose to cinncinati or missouri next round
ReplyDeleteGonzaga is up 12 with about 11 minutes left. I'm pretty confident with them and K-State is up 11 with 15 minutes left. I've got confidence in them too. Hardly what I'd call close games.
ReplyDeleteThose games are defiantly not over look at the MSU vs UCLA game that was a blow out but now its close im just hoping your teams lose so your bracket gets more screwed up
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