March Madness: Ten One-On-One Matchups I'd Like To See In The NCAA Tourney
Maybe it's a little early to talk about this but "March madness" is truly a delightful time of year. This college basketball season has been nothing less than spectacular. Players are now in the home stretch wrapping up their regular seasons and looking forward to post-season activity. Who will make the cut? Who is good enough to go to the "big dance"?
I know I can hardly wait to find out. We all have our favorite team or teams but have you thought about possible player matchups? I bet the coaches are already thinking about them. How do we defend against him? Who do we put on him? How do we shut him down? How do we keep him off the glass? What player or players will be a tournament nightmare?
I have put together what I would consider my "dream-come-true". I would love to see the following players compete head-to-head in tournament action.
It's been a great season and I certainly have enjoyed watching these college players "give their all" in conference and non-conference action. I hope they all fulfill their dreams and play in this year's tournament.
Pretty soon it will be time to get your snacks and get in front of the "big screen".
Marshon Brooks (Providence) Vs. William Buford (Ohio State)
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This would be a most interesting matching. Marshon is a senior out of metro Atlanta and he can "fill it up". He has a tremendous cross-over and gets to the basket with much ease. He's a proven scorer and has the length and lateral quickness to defend. I would love to see him and Friars in the "field".
William Buford is a quiet "assassin". His game has truly come together in his junior year and he has proven to be a real weapon for the Buckeyes.
Both players are 6'5" and athletic. This could be a classic battle.
Aaron Craft (Ohio State) Vs. Jimmer Fredette (BYU)
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Jimmer Fredette is a "scoring machine". Who can contain him? He has gone against some good teams with great defenders and dropped forty on them. Why are people still questioning his athleticism and toughness? This dude can play. He is 6'2" with a strong body and a will to win. He doesn't need much more than that.
I know Aaron Craft is a freshman and all but this young man is playing way beyond his years. He is a bonafide defensive specialist. He was matched up against Jimmer Fredette's AAU buddy, Talor Battle of Penn State and he did a masterful job. Talor could only manage 5 for 17 shooting with Craft draped on him for a large part of the contest.
"Dr. Freeze" vs. "The Master Craftsman"........I like that.
Kyle Singler (Duke) Vs. Chris Singleton (Florida State)
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I can only imagine that Kyle Singler and Chris Singleton are a little tired of facing each other. They're both in the Atlantic Coast Conference. However, I will never tire of watching them "lace 'em up". These two veterans of "Tobacco Road" are "competition at its best"!
Singler came to Duke from Medford, Oregon and has improved each and every year under the tutelage of "Coach K". He can do almost anything on the floor. He shoots, he rebounds and he passes. He may not be the most athletic on the floor but what he lacks in athleticism he makes up in desire.
Chris Singleton is a warrior. He is a defensive stalwart. He blocks shots effortlessly. He's an athletic freak that gets to the rim "at will". He has good "handles" and I can't wait to see him perform at the next level.
In the mean time, I hope to sit back, relax, and watch two young "ballers" go at it.
This would be an ideal matchup to view during "March Madness".
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Kemba Walker (UConn) Vs. Talor Battle (Penn State)
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Kemba Walker and Talor Battle are two 6 ft. "fireplugs" instrumental in the success of their respective programs. They are constant motion with lightning quick reflexes and an uncanny ability to make "big" shots.
Pairing them together would be a real dog fight.
Jared Sullinger (Ohio State) Vs. Enes Kanter
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Yeah I know. I'm a "homer". I've got three Buckeyes on my slideshow and I'm not ashamed!
Can you imagine close to 600 total pounds of flesh and blood pounding the "paint". That's what you'll get with freshmen, Jared Sullinger and Enes Kanter. This would truly be a "battle of the bulge".
Jared has great hands and dancing feet. He uses his body masterfully as well as his basketball IQ. He doesn't make many mistakes.
Enes is in a similar mode. He has great dexterity for a man his size and competes with great intensity. He has brute strength and a great basketball sense.
This would have been a real battle. Unfortunately an NCAA ruling against the 'Cats and Mr. Kanter will prevent this from ever happening at the college level.
This is so disappointing because it's always interesting when Kentucky and Ohio State play each other.
Shelvin Mack (Butler) Vs. Josh Selby (Kansas)
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Shelvin Mack came to notoriety along with his Butler Bulldogs in last year's Final Four and National Championship Game. Butler came up short but Shelvin played a major role in their ascent. He is a volcano ready to erupt. His range is "in the auditorium". He reminds me of a "Downtown" Freddie Brown.
Josh Selby is a typical Baltimore "baller". He brings sheer grit and determination any time he goes to the court. He possesses great skills and vision. He is probably better suited for playing the "2" but is quite adequate running the point.
If he puts it all together as a young guard Kansas will be hard to be come tournament time.
Tristan Thompson (Texas) Vs. Marcus Morris (Kansas)
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These two culprits have seen a lot of each other. I really don't know if they like each other but I sure like watching them do battle. It's always interesting; especially when you add Marcus's twin, Markief to the fray.
It's really going to get interesting during tournament time when it's "do or die"!
Corey Fisher (Villanova) Vs. Norris Cole (Cleveland State)
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Corey Fisher and Norris Cole would be a last "stand at the OK Corral". We're talking about to fierce competitors that give their all every time they take the floor. There is no quit in them.
This would be a battle of wills. Two pit-bulls going at it and not willing to stop until someone is "done".
The Ultimate Fighting Championship doesn't compare with this. "Let's get ready to rumble."
Jajuan Johnson (Purdue) Vs. Keth Benson (Oakland University)
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Jajuan Johnson is the kind of player that does a lot of different things. We'll probably never know his full value until he plays at the next level. He has made great strides each year in Big Ten competition. Had a healthy Robbie Hummel been in the Purdue lineup you really would have seen what Mr. Johnson was capable of.
Keith Benson has certainly helped bring the Oakland program to notoriety. Who knew they existed until he came on the scene? He's a good player that continues to advance.
This pairing would be very intriguing. These "bigs" have skills.
Kenneth Faried (Morehead State) Vs. Tyler Honeycutt (UCLA)
10 of 10
It doesn't get much better than this. Just being able to watch two energized titans go at is simply thrilling.
Kenneth Faried is a new-age Dennis Rodman. He is a tireless defender. I don't know how he does what he does but he does it. He possesses great skill and he is self-sacrificing. He puts the team on his back and takes them where they need to go. Kenneth is quite deserving.
Tyler Honeycutt has great versatility and good athleticism. At 6'8" he is able to score and defend and he has a great mid-range game. He shows good balance when going to the rim and easily get his shot off. He probably needs a little more work on his "handle' to create space but is sound in most areas.
This would be another great pairing.
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