So far, our Games of the Week have rarely disappointed, and we look for that trend to continue this week. On tap, we’ve got five games from five different conferences that should keep you glued to your television and watching as the betting lines shift before tip-off.
Uconn at Cincinnati: Up first is the season’s second game between the Huskies and the Bearcats, with the Huskies paying a visit to UC this time. In these teams’ first meeting, UConn won 62-56 in Storrs.
As inconsistent as UConn has been, and they have been just that, they’ll take the floor with a two-game win streak and a chance to move within two games of Tulsa atop the American. When you have a guard like Ryan Boatright, you always have a chance to walk out with a win, but the lack of consistent scoring outside of him has doomed Kevin Ollie’s club over and over again this season. On the other side, this Cinci team lacks offensive explosion as well. The Bearcats average just 62.8 points per game and don’t have anyone averaging over 10 points per game.
Something has to give here, and the fact that this game is in Ohio certainly gives UC an edge, as they’re 11-1 on their home floor. UConn is going to have to deal with one of major basketball’s toughest defenses, and that along with their struggles on the road, is why I like Cincinnati to pull out the win.
[related_post_one]
Maryland at Ohio State: Next we head to the Big Ten, where Maryland will attempt to fully rebound from their flop against Indiana, with a win over the Ohio State Buckeyes. The showdown between freshmen phenoms Melo Trimble and D’Angelo Russell will surely steal the show, but the biggest question mark for me is whether or not Dez Wells shows up. He shot just 5-for-17 against Michigan State and Indiana before rebounding, and hitting the game winner, against Northwestern. When he is efficient, which isn’t often, this Maryland team has one of the top backcourts in the nation. When he goes outside of the offense and lacks control, he takes the Terps out of it.
I expect the atmosphere in Columbus to be nice and rowdy, with Thad Matta having his guys as prepared as ever. But similarly to Wells, which OSU team will show up? I’d love to see Maryland return to their previous road glory, but I think Ohio State is primed to go on a second-half-of-conference run. I, cautiously, like the Buckeyes.
Duke at Notre Dame: In the ACC, Duke has a pair of absurdly difficult road trips on the week. It all starts in South Bend where the Blue Devils will take on perhaps the nation’s most versatile offense in Notre Dame. I expect this one to be face paced, run and gun, show stopping basketball. Seriously, two teams whose offensive and defensive numbers are nearly identical, showing down on prime time? Yes. Yes, please.
The question here is whether or not Duke goes to their zone defense again, and lives with the outside looks like ND is sure to get. For more analysis on this match up, wait for my pre-game special coming up tomorrow.
George Washington at VCU: Let’s stay on the East Coast and look at George Washington, who will be visiting Virginia Commonwealth on Wednesday evening. VCU is riding an eleven-game win streak but will have to deal with quite the stingy defense in their quest to add a twelfth game to the streak. In GW, we have a defense that bogs you down to the tune of just 59.4 points per game allowed. That’s not to say that the Rams don’t have a defense of their own, with their patented “havoc”, but this game will be about control, and whether or not Treveon Graham can hit shots from the perimeter to open up interior opportunities for his teammates. Ultimately, I like VCU here.
[related_post_two]
Stanford at Washington: The final game we’re looking at this week is a bit under the radar, with Stanford paying a visit to Washington. Stanford defended their home court earlier in the season, and that was when the Huskies still had shot blocking machine Robert Upshaw. Upshaw was dismissed from the UW program on Monday afternoon after a violation of team rules. Now, the Huskies will rely even heavier on Nigel Williams-Goss and Andrew Andrews to carry the offensive load, while Washington’s defense has to be expected to see a dramatic drop in its efficiency.
For Stanford, Chasson Randle is a bucket getter, and they come at you in a variety of styles and waves. Lorenzo Romar will have had a few days to rally the troops and excite them about the opportunity to prove everyone who’s writing them off wrong. Honestly, though, I don’t see that happening here. Give me Stanford.
