...and then there were four
Oklahoma (2)
Villanova (2)
Syracuse (10) (wtf)
UNC (1)
Okie:
Okie of course has the tourneys highest scorer in Buddy Hield. He's shooting a shade under 50% from the 3pt line (19/40!) and over 50% overall he can score at will. Okie has a 3 guard lineup; the aforementioned Hield, Woodard & Cousins. those guys are the top 3 scores and usually one or the other is 2nd to Hield in scoring. the weakness is on the inside. Spangler (center) can score but, he's only 6'8. Khadeem Latin (pf) is a good shot blocker but, he doesn't score.
Villanova:
this is a balanced team where the starters average double digits (Brunson avg 9.8 the lowest). although they play w/a traditional lineup; Kris Jenkins is more of a stretch 4 as he regularly steps behind the arc to shoot. Ochefu (center) is a load download and I'm sure they will go to him early and often to get the Sooners focused somewhat on the paint, leaving Arcidiano, Brunson, Jenkins & Hart open for 3's. The problem w/Villanova is the interior defense. Aside from Ochefu (Jenkins is foul prone) the post defense isn't that good but, Okie doesn't have a post player(s) that would be a major cause of concern to 'Nova. Ochefu is a smart player and if he got into foul trouble I'd be surprised.
Okie - 77
'Nova - 71
The following analysis is from an unabashed Tarheel fanThe ACC Invitational continues .....
Syracuse:
They got in and have been showing their ass! Most analysts had them in the play in game or not in the tourney all together. What a difference 2 weeks makes & after taking down the #1 seed Cavaliers; here they are.
The matchup zone is a nightmare if a team hasn't played against and even if they have it can still give you fits. Against UVA it wasn't the zone that caused them to collapse it was the speed and athleticism of the 'Cuse that UVA couldn't match. Malachi Richardson was basically a 1 man wrecking crew. He did what he wanted, when he wanted and how he wanted. Michael Gbinije (sp) is the leading scorer but, on average the starters score in double figures (Roberson is the low man @ 9.0 ppg).
The bench is an issue; the top bench scorer is DaJuan Coleman (Derrick's son) @ 4.9 ppg. If any one of the starters (mainly Cooney/Gbinije or Richardson) get in foul trouble it could get ugly. Roberson is a beast on the boards but, he isn't a volume scorer. The matchup zone can be exploited (UVA before the collapse) but, the opponents better be knocking the shots down.
University of North Carolina Tarheels:
Where do I start
...
Along w/Kentucky I think this was one of the most analyzed teams during the year; 3pt shooting, Marcus Paige, toughness, Kennedy Meeks and on and on and now they are in the Final Four.
It starts in the middle for the Heels. Brice Johnson has 23 dbl/dbls and counting this year. You can't stop him but, he can be slowed down because of foul trouble. Kennedy Meeks seems to be peaking at the right time (8 straight points to open the 2nd half versus ND) and he seems to be more aggressive on the boards. This is the strength of this team no doubt about it. But, if either of them get into foul trouble Isaiah Hicks can step in and provide some defense and offense. Justin Jackson can score 12-17 points and you wouldn't know it; he is sneaky good.
Marcus Paige & Joel Berry II have been very good as of late. Paige on Friday came out firing from behind the arc (4 of his first 4). Berry has been consistent but, he's capable of taking over. The bench led by Hicks; is 4 deep so, while if an injury or foul trouble rears its ugly head the Heels could overcome it.
The Heels come at you in waves and even when ND went on a 12-0 run, had Mr. Mo and a 52-51 lead the Heels hit the switch and went on their on 12-0 run and never looked back. The issue w/muh Heels is 3pt shots; they rank near the bottom out of 300+ schools in that category...brutal. But, when you have Johnson/Jackson/Meeks/Hicks/James on the frontline collecting offensive rebounds you can afford to be off in the 3pt shooting.
UNC - 83
Syracuse - 71
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