"Huh?"
"Yeah, I know American is 41 percent from behind the arc."
"Do I think they can hang with Tennessee? What? Tom, are you doing your brackets?"
"Let me get this straight.
"You guys stick me with a road to the Final Four filled with potholes and land mines, and, now, you want my help?"
"All right…I've got a few minutes. Let’s run through it."
"Yeah, it’d be nice if American could make Tennessee sweat like a long-tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
"I just don’t see it. I suppose Princeton almost did it two decades ago against Georgetown, but American might have more turnovers than points scored when they face the Volunteer press.
"Thing is Pearl’s gang has these great numbers: 82.5 points per game, 18.2 assists per game (fourth in the country), 9.3 steals per game (11th), and 1.42 assists to turnovers (fifth). But, if someone takes care of the ball and makes the Volunteers run half-court offense, Tennessee will struggle."
"Like I said, American won’t do it, but Butler could throw a little scare into the Vols. The Bulldogs only turn the ball over 10.3 times per game (third). They hold teams to 57.8 points per game (fifth), and they convert 9.2 threes per game (14th). Mike Green and AJ Graves are a solid one-two tandem on the perimeter. Both can go off the dribble, and both can knock down the open jumper. Matt Howard is a ball-getter inside."
"Louisville?"
"Pitino’s Cardinals are going to need to take care of business against Boise St. Matt Nelson will cause matchup problems for Padgett. The key to this game will be the Louisville press. The Cardinals allow opponents to hit only 38.3 percent of their field goals. If Louisville stays out of foul trouble, the Broncos will make a quick exit.
"But Louisville will have their work cut out for them in the second round.
"Jeff Capel’s Oklahoma Sooners have seven wins this year over tournament teams, including two against underrated Baylor.
"The Sooners play St. Joe’s in the first round. The Hawks managed to survive the grueling Atlantic Ten this year with a 9-7 conference record. Both the Hawks and Sooners lost their most recent games."
"Indiana and Arkansas will fight it out for a chance to play the Heels.
"With all the controversy the Hoosiers represent an enigma of sorts. Will they come together and play without a conscience for Dan Dakich? Or have the problems caused division in the locker room?
"Arkansas has a nine seed, but the SEC has been a mystery this year. Could the Razorbacks be in over their heads?"
"Well look, Tom, I gotta run. Practice starts in a couple of hours. You guys have given us enough to prepare for."
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