Pittsburgh-UCLA
Pitt guard Mike Cook missed practice time this week after playing just seven minutes in the second half Sunday because of a bruised knee. However, he said he will play against the Bruins. UCLA will be performing in their home state, while the Panthers traveled 2,600 miles. Teams playing in their home state in the NCAA Tournament are 70-15 SU.
Pittsburgh has the size advantage led by 7-footer Aaron Gray. UCLA’s tallest starter is 6-8 Alfred Aboye, who is playing out of position.
Texas A&M-Memphis
A&M is playing a virtual home game against a Memphis team that will travel 726 miles. The game is in San Antonio where the Aggie football team drew 64,583 fans against Army. What we just informed you about UCLA also apply to the Aggies: teams playing in their home state in the NCAA Tournament are 70-15 SU.
Memphis has played just three games versus quality opponents in front of hostile crowds. They lost at Tennessee 76-58, at Arizona 79-71, but edged Gonzaga at Spokane Arena 78-77.
Vanderbilt-Georgetown
Vanderbilt has done well in revenge this year, beating both Georgia and Florida in second meetings after losing the initial clash. Such applies in this game as in their season opener, the Commodores lost to Georgetown 86-70.
Ohio State-Tennessee
On Jan. 13 these two teams met. Leading with 26.5 seconds remaining, Tennessee missed a pair of front ends of one-and-one situations allowing Ohio State to escape with a narrow win 68-66.
Perhaps that’s good news for Tennessee, which is 3-0 in rematches this year if they lost the initial meeting. The revenge victories were to Florida, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Tennessee is tested, having played six of the Sweet 16 teams.
Butler-Florida
Florida has a huge height mismatch led by top NBA prospects and likely lottery picks 6-11 Joakim Noah and 6-10 Al Horford. The Bulldogs have no starters bigger than 6-7. Butler’s best player A.J Graves is in a 9-for-34 shooting slump.
Kansas-Southern Illinois
Kansas won their first two games by an average of 26 points per game. Averaging 79.5 points per game entering the tournament, the Jayhawks have averaged 97.5 in the Big Dance thus far.
However, SIU entered having allowed just 56.5 points per game and have surrendered a measly 49.5 in the first two games.
Matt Shaw, Southern Illinois’ third-leading scorer and No. 2 rebounder missed Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, breaking a string of 82 straight starts. He is questionable Thursday.
UNLV-Oregon
The Running Rebels are 22-1 this year when not playing on their opponent’s home court.
Joe Duffy of GodsTips.com continues to be Mr. March, entering the Sweet 16 on 6-1 Big Dance run. Check out his premium picks on OffshoreInsiders.com
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