00:00And let's begin. We're bragging rights in the Big Ten on the line as Illinois travels to face Purdue.
00:06Illinois coming in at 15-3 overall on a seven-game winning streak,
00:10showing how much tighter defense holding teams down their 70 points per game
00:15and spreading scoring around multiple scores.
00:17Their leading scores gets about 14 points and four assists per game,
00:20before his recent injury forcing other guys to step up.
00:23Meanwhile, Purdue has been one of the most efficient offenses in the country,
00:26averaging about 85 points per game, ranking in the top 50 nationally in adjusted offense.
00:33If you look at them, you've got to look at the play of Braden Smith.
00:36Their All-American guard has had a fantastic season, giving you about 14.5 points per game and 9.1 assists.
00:44Obviously, you've got Trey Kaufman, French Lawyer, so on and so forth.
00:48Illinois' balanced attack versus Purdue's assist-heavy offense.
00:52If Illinois can limit turnovers and win a rebounding battle,
00:55they can slow Purdue's rhythm down.
00:58This game matters for NCAA seeding as both teams are aiming for high seeds
01:02and also some Big Ten play.
01:04The ACC showdown features two different teams playing two different styles of basketball,
01:09and that's UNC versus Virginia.
01:12For North Carolina, the Tar Heels has been solid this season.
01:15Caleb Wilson is playing himself to a top-five pick in the NBA draft,
01:18averaging a double-double of roughly 20 points and 11 rebounds a game,
01:23giving an inside presence.
01:24We can talk about the play of Henry Vassar, about 17 points per game,
01:28and Seth Dribble leading the backcourt in scoring and facilitating.
01:33Virginia's built their season about the Ritter, who's had a really good season,
01:38scoring at about 16 points, six rebounds per game, shooting about 54% on the floor.
01:42But it's the toughness of their bigs is going to be an issue in this game.
01:48This game is a contrast of styles, right?
01:50UNC wants pace.
01:51They want rebounding advantages.
01:53They want second-chase offense.
01:55Virginia is Virginia.
01:57They want to grind possessions.
02:00They want to be disciplined inside and have the Ritter and the other big really control the paint.
02:06If UNC controls the glass and gets easy buckets early, they can pull away.
02:10But if Virginia can slow down the pace and force UNC to half-court execution,
02:14the Cavaliers may grind it out until the final minute and steal the game.
02:19Let's head to round number two, where it's Houston versus Texas Tech.
02:23We've talked about Kingston Flemings and his 16 points per game,
02:26and JT Toppin getting double-doubles and seven straight, averaging 21.6 and 10.8.
02:32But I feel like Houston needs to be more than talked about than Kingston Flemings.
02:37It's the senior backcourt of Emmanuel Sharp and, obviously, Milo Suzan.
02:43The frontcourt with Chris Sinek and Joseph Tugler.
02:47They really grind your gears.
02:51It's their defense that's been a difference maker.
02:53Limiting opponents, easy looks, and controlling rebounds.
02:56When you look at the other side for Texas Tech, they have their own strengths.
02:58It's JT Toppin.
02:59But there's other guys we have to talk about, Christian Anderson being a scorer
03:03from the inside and out.
03:05Texas Tech shoots the ball effectively from deep,
03:07often flipping momentum with outside shooting.
03:11This comes down to both ends.
03:13Houston's efficient defense and a rebound versus Texas Tech scoring versatility.
03:18If Houston controls the glass and gets stops early,
03:21this game tilts strongly their way.
03:23But if Toppin Anderson get hot from deep, Texas Tech can steal this game.
Comments