Cougar Bait
Gamelive Certified Top Angus Young M.C. POTY 2024
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- Jan 27, 2010
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VCU +2.5
Simply put, I see this as a back and forth low scoring affair where the points may come in handy at the end. All of Butler's games have been very close so they don't mind playing these types of games. Both coaches will be prepared, and though I think Mack is the best player on the floor I don't know if he's seen a perimeter with as much depth from as defensive standpoint as VCU has right now in Rodriguez, Burgess, and Rozzell.
I expect Butler to go down low and pound it with Howard and Smith which should slow the tempo down a bit, but remember VCU held Kansas to 61 and Georgetown to 56 so playing these games under might benefit the VCU side. Like I said before I think Vegas can tip their hand on sides by where the total is set. If Rodriguez can get Smith in foul trouble this may turn into a shooting match and I like the Rams in that scenario as they just have more options.
VCU has absolutely nothing to lose at this point. Everyone expects Butler to win, and maybe they will. But I am taking the points here, since winning and covering are two different things.
Kentucky -2.5
I think it's easy to make a case for either side on this one but in the end it all comes down to matchups. Everyone will be talking about Walker, and rightfully so, the best player on the court today. But UConn is NOT a great offensive rebounding team, while Kentucky IS a good defensive rebounding team. That could be key. Neither team is going to create a huge amount of turnovers, but remembering how the Aztecs forced UConn into mistakes still stays with me. The Wildcats should do the same thing here. I think the Wildcats simply have more ways to win than UConn. They beat a bigger team in North Carolina, they can shoot the 3 better, and their FG defense is one of the best in the nation.
At the end of the day I think Calipari still has a lot to prove. His players, though young, are extremely talented, and have a more well-rounded game than I believe UConn has.
Simply put, I see this as a back and forth low scoring affair where the points may come in handy at the end. All of Butler's games have been very close so they don't mind playing these types of games. Both coaches will be prepared, and though I think Mack is the best player on the floor I don't know if he's seen a perimeter with as much depth from as defensive standpoint as VCU has right now in Rodriguez, Burgess, and Rozzell.
I expect Butler to go down low and pound it with Howard and Smith which should slow the tempo down a bit, but remember VCU held Kansas to 61 and Georgetown to 56 so playing these games under might benefit the VCU side. Like I said before I think Vegas can tip their hand on sides by where the total is set. If Rodriguez can get Smith in foul trouble this may turn into a shooting match and I like the Rams in that scenario as they just have more options.
VCU has absolutely nothing to lose at this point. Everyone expects Butler to win, and maybe they will. But I am taking the points here, since winning and covering are two different things.
Kentucky -2.5
I think it's easy to make a case for either side on this one but in the end it all comes down to matchups. Everyone will be talking about Walker, and rightfully so, the best player on the court today. But UConn is NOT a great offensive rebounding team, while Kentucky IS a good defensive rebounding team. That could be key. Neither team is going to create a huge amount of turnovers, but remembering how the Aztecs forced UConn into mistakes still stays with me. The Wildcats should do the same thing here. I think the Wildcats simply have more ways to win than UConn. They beat a bigger team in North Carolina, they can shoot the 3 better, and their FG defense is one of the best in the nation.
At the end of the day I think Calipari still has a lot to prove. His players, though young, are extremely talented, and have a more well-rounded game than I believe UConn has.
