Many things will be decided today in college basketball, seedings could be solidified, bubbles bursted, and rivalries renewed. But we coudln't start without pointing out that 6 teams have a chance to clinch NCAA Tournament berths today, joining Cornell as the early class of this year's tournament.
Winthrop vs. UNC Asheville (Big South Championship) - All eyes will be firmly planted towards the sky to see 7 foot 7 Kenny George and his UNC Asheville team take on perennial tournament contender Winthrop. These 2 teams played twice in the regular season with Asheville winning both games by an average of 14.0 PPG. When looking at this matchup Kenny George may be the first person people point to as the key to the game. However, in the first matchup this year--A 71-56 UNCA win--George did not even take the court. But in Game 2--A 63-50 UNCA win--George scored 10 points and yanked down 9 rebounds (probably without jumping). A man of his size can certainly alter an opposing team's gameplan, but he only averages 19.2 MPG. The real key to the game will be the guard play of both teams. UNC Asheville is led by a trio of guards who are putting up 41 PPG combined. Bryan Smithson (17PPG), KJ Garland (14 PPG), and Reid Augst (10 PPG), headline a lineup boasting 5 players averaging 10+ PPG. Winthrop, on the other hand looks to Senior guard Michael Jenkins as their go-to guy. This group of Winthrop Seniors have played in the NCAA Tournament in all 3 years of their college careers. Narrowly losing to Gonzaga (74-64), and Tennessee (63-61), before finally breaking through last year and upsetting Notre Dame 74-64 (which I had in my bracket) and advancing to the Second Round (where they lost to No.12 Oregon 75-61). This will be a great game, but im picking Winthrop to knock Goliath of the block and advance to the NCAA's. RUPP'S PICK: Winthrop
Tennessee State vs. Austin Peay (OVC Championship) - Now that my alma mater (Eastern Kentucky University) has been knocked from OVC contention, I turn to see that the Governors of Peay are making another run at a tournament berth. Tennessee State (the 5 seed) took the harder route to the finals, taking down Morehead State and Murray State, the 3 seed and 2 seed respectively by an average of 7.5 PPG. They are lead by do-everything Junior guard Bruce Price who is averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game and is also one of the top contenders for OVC Player of The Year. The Govs of Austin Peay took a crazier route to the finals. They dispatched EKU easlily by 25 points before almost falling to an upset by the hands of Tennessee-Martin. Drake Reed, the teams leading scorer (15 PPG) and second leading rebounder (behind Fernandez Lockett, who you may have seen with the #1 play on SC this morning) made the big play down the stretch, getting fouled and making 1 of 2 free throws to clinch the 78-77 win. Tennessee State is a good upset story, but it stops today at 5:00 PM on ESPN. I beleive in these Govs. So as the infamous T-shirts say, "LETS GO PEAY!" RUPP'S PICK: Austin Peay
Jacksonville vs. Belmont (Atlantic Sun Championship) - As a Kentucky fan, I am dissapointed in the performance of Gardner-Webb in this year's Atlantic Sun Tournament. A Jacksonville win in this game for me, would also be accompanied with "Oh, they beat Gardner-Webb so they're better than UK jokes" enetering the tournament. Lucky for me, I dont think that will be happening. Although they did knock off the Fightin' Bulldog's in the semis, they come in facing the #1 team in the conference, Belmont. Belmont has a win over Cincinnatti to boast while the best win on Jacksonville's schedule is a home win vs. none other than Gardner-Webb. They key for Belmont will be the play of Shane Dansby, who is second on the team in scoring and the leader in boards. If he can offset the scoring and the dimes by Jacksonville's mini-guard Ben Smith (16PPG, 5APG), then Belmont should come away victorious. Because really, who's scared of a team who's name is the Dolphins? RUPP'S PICK: Belmont
So there you have it, my picks and analysis on the 3 conference championship games taking place today. Feel free to critique or respond to my blogs from here on out. I am open to a good conversation about hoops. This is the first of many blogs I will put out, I hope you enjoy them.