WASHINGTON– Louisville has been a Final Four fixture under coach Rick Pitino, even winning the National Championship in 2013. This winter the Cardinals are off to an 18-4 start and are 7-2 in the ACC, but the only madness this March will be the U of L faithful wondering “What if?”
Amidst an ongoing investigation into recruiting improprieties, the school has banned itself from postseason play. On the cynical side, it means that coach Rick Pitino can go right to the CBS/TBS/TNT/TruTV studio instead of 24 hours after his team loses in the round of 64. It also means we have no 10 vs 15 opening round game in the ACC Tournament (hallelujah!). Meanwhile, it’s the second ACC school in two years (Syracuse took the poison pill last February 4th) to preempt the NCAA. Makes one wonder when the bell will toll for North Carolina.
Saturday’s games:
NOON-
#9 Virginia (18-4, 7-3 ACC) at Pitt (17-4, 6-3). Now that the Cavaliers have brushed aside their midseason inability to win away from Charlottesville, coach Tony Bennett takes his team into one odd arena. The Peterson Events Center has suites behind the benches and scorer’s table. The Panthers pose a problem on the floor for UVA in the form of James Robinson, who leads the conference in assists. This is a place where good teams lose. Are the Cavaliers a good team or a great one this winter?
George Washington (17-5, 6-3 Atlantic 10) at VCU (17-5, 9-0). The Colonials may be playing gritty ball at this time, but nobody in the A-10 is even close to playing as well as the Rams are right now. Credit a smothering defense that leads the league in turnover margin and steals…and an offense that kills you from 3-point range (conference best 38% from outside the arc). GW needs its big three of Tyler Cavanaugh, Kevin Larsen & Patricio Garino to come up huge if they’re going to sneak out of Richmond with a W.
2pm- American (7-15, 5-6 Patriot League) at Lehigh (7-14, 5-5). So the Eagles win five straight games to secure the nod as HOTTEST TEAM INSIDE THE BELTWAY but only move from 10th to 7th place in the conference? Tough room. Prepare for a matchup of strengths: the Eagles are tops in the league at defending the 3-point shot while the Mountain Hawks lead the conference in shooting from outside the arc.
4pm-
#4 Maryland (20-3, 9-2 Big Ten) vs #18 Purdue (19-4, 7-3). Both teams bring quite a bit of size into the equation…with Boilermaker 7-foot center AJ Hammons providing quite a test in the post. Purdue leads the league in rebounding margin…and a Terps team that’s 13th in turnover margin can ill afford to give away additional possessions.
Virginia Tech (12-11, 4-6 ACC) vs Clemson (14-8, 7-3). The Hokies’ slide from curiosity (4-1? Really?) to sympathy (another ranked team on the road?) has them hosting the other early season surprise in the league…but one that’s been able to sustain their success. Can the Hokies contain Tigers forward Jaron Blossingame (17 points per game, 42% from 3-point range)?
Navy (16-8, 7-4 Patriot League) vs Colgate (10-12, 6-5). Two teams both trying to avoid mid-season slides: the Raiders have dropped three straight while the Midshipmen have lost three of four. One game separates third place (and the home quarterfinal game) from seventh place (and having to play in the opening round).
430pm- Howard (10-12, 4-3 MEAC) vs Norfolk State (10-13, 6-2). Bison look to bounce back from consecutive road losses to sub-500 conference clubs while the Spartans try to rebound from a defeat at league-leading Hampton. Will high scoring James Daniel III get the necessary help?
6pm- George Mason (8-14, 2-7 Atlantic 10) vs #24 Dayton (18-3, 8-1). The Patriots look to build off a win at Richmond…although the offensive stars haven’t often aligned for coach Dave Paulsen in his first winter at the helm. The Flyers allow the fewest points in the league.
9pm- Georgetown (13-10, 6-4 Big East) at Seton Hall (16-6, 6-4). Do I sound old if I say I’m not a huge fan of 9pm games in the Eastern Time Zone? The Hoyas are squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble…and falling at Butler earlier this week was not helpful. The Pirates boast the conference’s best rebounder in Angel Delgado…and Gtown has had trouble on the glass all winter. But the Hoyas have shown they can win on the road in difficult circumstances (like at then #5 Xavier).
