Siena by 7. And they will give Louisville the biggest scare of the tournament before they (Louisville not Siena) wind up in Detroit.Midwest Region Game 2.
vs.
#8Ohio State vs. #9Siena
Ohio State (22-10): In what was a very quiet year for the young Ohio State team, they still came out of the Big 10 with 22 wins. Alot of Ohio State's play rests on the play of 6-7 Sophomore forward Evan Turner, who put up 17, 7, and 4 in a very solid season. He's only scored below 10 points 3 times this season and Ohio State is 1-2 in those games, with that 1 win coming against Delaware State. The other key to Ohio State's success is the play from their freshman 7 foot center B.J. Mullens, who has shot nearly 64% on the season to go along with his 9 points and 5 rebounds a game.This Buckeye team finds themselves living a dying by the three on both offense and defense, they've got players who can gun them from long range, however...Thad Matta hasn't quite figured out a good defense for this team to play, as they seem to give up just as many and they make. Ohio State found themselves limping into conference tournament play with losses to Wisconsin, Northwestern, Illinois, and Purdue, and close games with Minnesota, Iowa, Penn State, and Northwestern again. However, in conference tournament play they were able to knock off 1 seed hopeful Michigan State before loosing in the semi's to Purdue by 4. No doubt, this team has been playing down(or up) to their opponent's level.
Siena(26-7): Hasselbeck's boys from Siena find themselves in the big dance for the 4th time in school history and 2nd straight season. When anyone looks at this team, they can't help but remember the 13 seed taking on #4 Vanderbilt last year and not only upsetting them, but completely raping them of any dignity they once had. Well, this is the same team this year that shocked Vandy are back again, still led by guard Kenny Hasbrouck. Hasbrouck has limped into tournament play, only putting up 20+ points once in the last 9 games, but Edwin Ubiles, Alex Franklin, and Ryan Rossiter have been more than willing to step up and take share the role.The team started out slow at 2-3, but play has consistantly gotten better all season. At times for this team, defense has been a problem, but in conference tournament play, things looked alot more consistant as they didn't allow a team to score over 70 points. In Siena's big games, they lost to Tennessee by 14 at home(the one home loss of the season), Oklahoma State by 9, and Kansas by 7.
Prediction: The 8-9 matchups are always the hardest to predict and this game is no different than the rest of them. Both teams have found themselves struggle with defense at times, but the defensive struggles are alot different. Ohio State gives up alot of 3's, while Siena has found themselves giving up just alot of points in general to teams like Niagara, Rider, and Marist. Siena doesn't have anyone to really match up with B.J. Mullens, as their tallest player is 6-9 Ryan Rossitier...but Ohio State can't stop the perimeter play of Siena. A huge factor, and the one that I think puts this game over the edge is the fact that it's located in Dayton, Ohio. Ohio State played very well at home, going 15-3 there, and I think for that fact alone, Ohio State takes a very close game.
Keys to Ohio State victory:
-Strong post play from B.J. Mullens
-Strong Perimeter defense
-Make the 3's
Keys to Siena victory:
-good play from Hasbrouck
-strong post defense
They won't have to sneak up on anyone.. they are good enough to win with all attention on them.
Midwest Region Game 4.
vs.
#4Wake Forest vs. #13Cleveland State
Wake Forest (24-6): What a roller coaster for Wake this season. This Demon Deacons team has almost an unbelievable surplus of talent, but the problem is, it's young and inexperienced. Once sitting on top of the basketball world, Wake found themselves falling to VT, GT, Miami, NC State, and Duke in the 2nd half of the season and then Maryland in the conference tournament, which is why Wake sits at a 4 seed, but don't let the seeding fool you because they are dangerous. With their long, athletic style of lockdown D, Wake is one of the best defenses in the country. On the offensive side of the ball, most of the play runs through PG Jeff Teague, but don't underestimate the rest of the starting lineup. All season Wake has gotten some very solid production from the likes of Al-Farouq Aminu, Chas McFarland, and great play off the bench, especially from Gary Clark.
Cleveland State(25-10):I'm pretty excited to see this Cleveland State team. Everything I've read about them sounds like they are a fun team to watch on the defensive side of the ball. This team forces turnover after turnover after turnover with their high octane trapping defense. As far as their offense goes, they have Cedric Jackson at point guard, who is the definition of an all-around player. Averaging 10.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.4 apg, and 3 spg and range that extends to 60 feet(just as syracuse) Jackson is a key to any chance Cleveland State has to winning
Prediction: I really like Wake in this tournament. Cleveland State has shown they can hang with the big guys with wins at Syracuse and over Kansas State, but I think Jeff Teague is too good to let the press get to him. This Wake team is too talented to go down in the first round, however, they should be on upset alert and take this game very seriously. Wake by around 12.
Keys to Wake victory:
-Good guard play
-Do not turn the ball over
-Solid defense
Keys to Cleveland State victory:
-Make Jeff Teague uncomfortable
-Force Turnovers
-No wasted posessions
Midwest Region Game 4.
vs.
#4Wake Forest vs. #13Cleveland State
Wake Forest (24-6): What a roller coaster for Wake this season. This Demon Deacons team has almost an unbelievable surplus of talent, but the problem is, it's young and inexperienced. Once sitting on top of the basketball world, Wake found themselves falling to VT, GT, Miami, NC State, and Duke in the 2nd half of the season and then Maryland in the conference tournament, which is why Wake sits at a 4 seed, but don't let the seeding fool you because they are dangerous. With their long, athletic style of lockdown D, Wake is one of the best defenses in the country. On the offensive side of the ball, most of the play runs through PG Jeff Teague, but don't underestimate the rest of the starting lineup. All season Wake has gotten some very solid production from the likes of Al-Farouq Aminu, Chas McFarland, and great play off the bench, especially from Gary Clark.
Cleveland State(25-10):I'm pretty excited to see this Cleveland State team. Everything I've read about them sounds like they are a fun team to watch on the defensive side of the ball. This team forces turnover after turnover after turnover with their high octane trapping defense. As far as their offense goes, they have Cedric Jackson at point guard, who is the definition of an all-around player. Averaging 10.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.4 apg, and 3 spg and range that extends to 60 feet(just as syracuse
Prediction: I really like Wake in this tournament. Cleveland State has shown they can hang with the big guys with wins at Syracuse and over Kansas State, but I think Jeff Teague is too good to let the press get to him. This Wake team is too talented to go down in the first round, however, they should be on upset alert and take this game very seriously. Wake by around 12.
Keys to Wake victory:
-Good guard play
-Do not turn the ball over
-Solid defense
Keys to Cleveland State victory:
-Make Jeff Teague uncomfortable
-Force Turnovers
-No wasted posessions
Hurry up and do the Midwest bracket, I need help there. lol.
