{"id":5328,"date":"2018-03-24T13:42:06","date_gmt":"2018-03-24T18:42:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=5328"},"modified":"2018-08-20T14:06:41","modified_gmt":"2018-08-20T19:06:41","slug":"great-eight-my-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=5328","title":{"rendered":"Great Eight………… My picks……….."},"content":{"rendered":"
We have reached the Great Eight for the NCAA National Tournament.\u00a0\u00a0 The four teams that will make up the National Semi-Finals next week in San Antonio will earn there ticket today and tomorrow.\u00a0 Here is\u00a0what I\u00a0expect in the next four games<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h5>\n

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Saturday<\/h3>\n

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Kansas State and Loyola (Chicago)<\/h4>\n

Game one today we have two upstarts, Kansas State out of the Big Twelve and Loyola (Chicago) out of the Missouri Valley.\u00a0 On the surface, one would think the major conference entry, KSU should take this one.\u00a0 After viewing the Wildcats in their first three games of this tournament, one can say they are a tough team that defends as well as any.\u00a0 They have a clutch player in Barry Brown who made the winning move in the Sweet 16 win over Kentucky.\u00a0 Never a day off conference games this year, Coach Bruce Webbers team will not be over-whelmed in this game and a\u00a0his\u00a0personal experience in the NCAA’s give\u00a0the men from the Little Apple an advantage.\u00a0 How the Wildcats can control\u00a0the pace, rough up Loyola, and\u00a0out\u00a0physical the Rams will be key for\u00a0a win.<\/p>\n

As for Loyola, of all the teams still in the field, they are the most skilled group.\u00a0 Ball fakes, shot fakes, ball movement, and finishing the play, either with a lay-up or floor shot, the Rams are trademarks.\u00a0 There is a reason for the three wins against superior athletic teams. There skills were much better.\u00a0 And that could continue with this game.<\/p>\n

Final Analysis:\u00a0 Low scoring game with patience being the word here.\u00a0 The team that takes care of the ball against stubborn defenses will prevail.\u00a0 The Rams are better in their skill set and that will carry the day.\u00a0 Look for Loyola to make the Final Four for the second time in their history.<\/p>\n

Loyola \u00a069,\u00a0Kansas State\u00a068.<\/span><\/h4>\n

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Michigan and Florida State<\/h4>\n

Can the Florida State\u00a0defense do the trick and stop the Michigan shooters from going off like they did in their easy win over Texas A&M?\u00a0 I think not.\u00a0 This one could get ugly sooner than later and Leonard Hamilton’s Seminoles, a middle of the road ACC team needs a great defensive outing to keep this one close.\u00a0 I like the Wolverines much in the same way as the\u00a0aTm game.<\/p>\n

Michigan 74, \u00a0Florida State 64<\/span><\/h4>\n

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Sunday<\/h2>\n

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Kansas and Duke<\/h4>\n

Both teams are playing their best ball and this will be a terrific game, close and coming down to the last minute, or shot.\u00a0 Duke is deeper, and they will work at pounding the Jayhawks, especially the big man for KU, Udoka Azubuike.\u00a0 Get him in fout trouble is a key.\u00a0 Duke will use their\u00a02-3 zone\u00a0 defense and KU will test them with \u00a0Devonte\u2019 Graham and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, who average 40.4% and 45.5% from the field.\u00a0 Duke will have to limit those two in their productivity.\u00a0 It will not be easy.\u00a0 6’11” Duke freshman forward Marvin Bagley III will be the best player on the floor and that gives them the advantage they will need.<\/p>\n

Duke 77, Kansas 74<\/span><\/h5>\n

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Texas Tech and Villanova<\/h4>\n

One would think that ‘Nova is the better team, but do not bank on it.\u00a0 Having won a title just two years ago with the same coach, Jay Wright, the Wildcats are primed for a second title in three years.\u00a0\u00a0 In a quick glance, I would pick them too.\u00a0 But coming into Sundays game, Tech will offer a better edition of the West Virginia team that ‘Nova beat this Friday.\u00a0 The\u00a0Jalen Brunson\u00a0 and Keenan Evans match up is key as both are equal in size and abilities.\u00a0 Tech’s Evans, a senior, should be up to the task.<\/p>\n

Villanova 63, Texas Tech 61<\/span><\/h5>\n

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We are in for a Great Eight showcase this year.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

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We have reached the Great Eight for the NCAA National Tournament.\u00a0\u00a0 The four teams that…<\/p>\n

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