A toss-up according to KenPom (Sooners by 1, 53% win probability), we should have an opportunity for a classic. Oklahoma is a top-20 efficiency team on both sides of the ball while Oregon is 35th in defense
Initial blush favors Oklahoma to me as well. And they have the best player in Buddy Hield. The year has meandered toward this moment for Hield. I can't believe his season doesn't end in a trip to Houston.
Pick: Oklahoma 73 Oregon 70
SOUTH: Kansas vs. Villanova
This is what a regional final should look like. Villanova coming off an offensive clinic, Kansas off a defensive clinic. Both are top-10 in efficiency. While Miami rained 3's in the 1st half, Villanova answered each run and tightened the screws in the 2nd half. Kansas survived scoring droughts behind great defense and some self-inflicted Maryland errors. Hard to see Villanova making the same mistakes and not taking advantage of any Kansas droughts. Villanova also can't play as well on offense. They were damn near perfect Thursday night. Unlikely that happens again as well. This could be the game of the tournament. I picked KU at the start of the year and that's why I stick with them.
Pick: Kansas 71 Villanova 70
No comments:
Post a Comment