(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
(Author's note: This article was originally published here at www.aarontorres-sports.com.)
Well, the NCAA Tournament field has been trimmed from 65 to 16, with that number set to be dwindled to four by the end of the weekend.
Before we get there, though, a lot of good basketball is still to be played.
Here is what to look out for this weekend.
Best Matchup: Villanova vs. Duke, East Region, Thursday 9:57 p.m.
It’s a classic matchup of two college basketball’s best teams, from its two premiere conferences Thursday night in Boston.
What makes this matchup one to watch, however, is that both teams play similar styles of basketball, using dribble penetration by its guards to create open shots on the perimeter, and easy baskets for the big guys down low.
For Villanova it all starts with Scottie Reynolds.
While his numbers may be a bit down from previous years, the point guard has been as good as ever, as his ability to break-down defenders creates open shots from three-point range for Villanova’s wing players.
Both Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher contribute off the bench, combining for about 19 points and two three-pointers a game off the bench.
Like Duke, Villanova isn’t big down low, with Dante Cunningham and Shane Clark getting the bulk of the minutes in the paint.
Cunningham is one of college basketball’s most improved players this season, averaging 18 points and seven rebounds, after being a role player for most of his career.
But while the Wildcats do like to get Cunningham the ball in the post, most of his points still come off put backs, and his guards ability to create off the dribble.
Duke plays in a very similar way.
They’re top three scorers all do most of their work on the perimeter, with Gerald Henderson, Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer combining for about 56 points a game.
The Blue Devils too lack a true low-post presence, with Singler often lining up on the opponents power forward, despite spending most of his time away from the basket.
Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas are Duke’s primary low-post players, although neither is much of an offensive weapon.
The key in this game will be how Duke handles Villanova’s more athletic backcourt.
Against UCLA, the Wildcats were simply able to do whatever they pleased with six players scoring in double-digits.
Reynolds and Reggie Redding seemed to be able to get into the lane at will, with the “Corey’s,” Fisher and Stokes, combining for five threes.
All year Duke struggled with athletic ball-handlers (Jeff Teague of Wake Forest, Tyrese Rice of Boston College and of course Ty Lawson of North Carolina), and will need to have their best defensive effort of the year to hang stay with Villanova.
But if Reynolds and the rest of Villanova’s backcourt are able to make plays it will be a long night for Duke fans, and likely the Blue Devils last game of the season.
Best Matchup No One is Talking About: Syracuse vs. Oklahoma, Friday 7:27 p.m.
This game has it all.
Star-power? Absolutely, with Blake Griffin of Oklahoma and Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn.
Great coaching? Hall-of-Famer Jim Boeheim and up-and-comer Jeff Capel certainly qualify.
Playing styles? Check, as Oklahoma wants to push the ball and Syracuse wants to play in the half-court.
But what will be the key in this one is how Syracuse’s famous 2-3 zone handles Blake Griffin and Oklahoma’s 3-point shooters. Because to quite be honest, their defense a week ago against Arizona State left a lot to be desired.
Yes, the Orange did a good job in holding Arizona State superstar James Harden to just 10 points, and limiting Jeff Pendergraph’s effectiveness down low.
However, whenever it looked like Syracuse was ready to put Arizona State away, the Sun Devils always seemed to make a run, usually fueled by the three point shot.
In the game, Arizona State role players Ty Abbott and Rihards Kuksiks seemed to always be open, combining for 40 points on 12 3-pointers.
Simply put, that will not get the job done against Oklahoma, which boasts four genuine perimeter threats in Austin Johnson, Tony Crocker, Willie Warren and Cade Davis. Each can light it up, and each will make you pay if left open.
This is the biggest reason why I think Syracuse may be in trouble this weekend.
While it seems natural for the Orange to try and double Griffin every time he touches the ball, he is a great passer out of the double team, and seems to always find the open man on the perimeter.
If he can do this with any regularity, and Oklahoma is able to swing the ball into the corners as effectively as Arizona State did, Syracuse will be in trouble.
Offensively, look for Syracuse to do what they’ve been doing, running their half-court sets, and relying on the dribble penetration of do-it-all point guard Jonny Flynn.
The sophomore has elevated his game since the beginning of the Big East tournament, and is the biggest reason why the Orange are still playing on the second weekend of the tournament.
Syracuse too has great perimeter scorers in Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins, as the two each average double figures, and are killer when left open on the perimeter.
Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson are big bodies down low, but will have trouble getting easy baskets the way they have in previous games with Griffin and his brother Taylor down low for the Sooners.
This one will be close, but look for Oklahoma’s perimeter players to be the difference.
After every win and every double-double, Griffin is quick to praise his guards, and rightfully so.
While they don’t get the publicity the big guy down low gets, they are equally important in the Sooners run to the Sweet 16.
They’re skill-set will be on display this weekend, and be the biggest reason Oklahoma marches on to the Elite Eight.
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