By Mark Halpern
So after a fun and outstanding round one of this year’s tournament, we head to round two. The weak Calves have been left behind, and now time to see what surprises are in store for round two.
#4 Arkansas vs. #12 New Mexico. Teddy Allen showed why teams should take the Aggies seriously. I hate to say it like this, but he single-handed guided the Aggies to their win with his 37pts. With that said, the team is going to have to step up. Now the Razorbacks, Stanley Umude, had a great game against VT, scoring 21pts and 9reb and must be that player again. He will also need the strong play of J.D. Notae, who also had 17pts and 7reb. These two were flying high after their win. The Razorbacks also need more support from other personnel to keep their tourney hopes alive. I like the Razorbacks in this game to win narrowly 79-77.
#1 Gonzaga vs. #9 Memphis. This game is going to be a better game than people expect. The heavy favorite is Gonzaga here, but Memphis isn’t a team to take lightly. Star Jalen Duran is out to prove he is ready for the NBA and improve on his 10pt 11reb game he had in round one. Deandre Williams will also have to work harder in this game to keep pace with the number one team in the tournament. Gonzaga came out of the gate and looked like they were all hungover and tired. Also, simple shots like close-up jumpers and layups weren’t falling. By the second half, Gonzaga woke up and took charge. Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren will have to play better, and that’s hard to say because of what they did against Georgia. In the end, I believe Gonzaga moves on, winning 90-79.
#3 Texas Tech vs. #11 Notre Dame. Well, the luck of the Irish is still going on for the Irishmen. They will have their work cut out for them, but they have proven they can beat tough opponents. Cormac Ryan has put this team on his back. He will need to produce the same stat line against Alabama with 29pts and 6reb. Not that the rest of the Irishmen didn’t contribute, they did, but in this game, they will have to produce more. The Red Raiders didn’t have a troublesome first game. They won by 30pts but, this won’t be the case here. Bryson Williams and Terrence Shannon will need to repeat 20 point games, but the rest of the starting line will have to play the same as they did in the first round. The Red Raider’s starting line all had double-digit games, and they are going to need that same spirit to get by a ravenous Notre Dame team. I give it to The Red Raiders hear but not by a blowout 82-72.
#2 Duke vs. #7 Michigan State. As I said earlier today, Coach K will be looking to keep dancing as the Blue Devils have a winnable game against the Spartans. Paul Banchero will look to put up the same number (17pts 10reb) and will need help from center Mark Williams as the Spartans like to shoot, and rebounds will be significant in this game. However, Joey Houser will have to get his team hyped to motivate them even more than they are. Housers 27pts 8reb game led Spartans, but he will need more production from Guard A.J. Goddard, who had 14pts but only 3reb and 2ast. Goddard has to control the clock because you can’t give coach K any time on the clock. After all, he will burn you just like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. Look for Duke to keep dancing as they win this one 79-66.
Hope all your brackets be still intact. For me 1 out of 3 seems to be doing very well but not well enough lol. The only time I see a perfect brackett is in my dreams. I leave the Basketball up to our team at S.I.N.’s The Throwdown. Enjoy round two and go ZAGS.
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