NFL
By Monte Perez:
March 30th, 7:15 PM, TBS:
#6 USC vs #1 Gonzaga:
The USC Trojans have been the best defensive team in the NCAA Tournament. They held Drake to 29% shooting, Kansas to 29% shooting and Oregon shot 38%. This defense is big, long, and athletic. Their 2-3 zone defense is reminiscent of the Syracuse Orangemen’s zone defense. It slows the tempo down and confuses offenses. Evan and Isaiah Mobley are versatile “Twin Towers.” They average 26 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks combined per game. Isaiah White and Tahj Eaddy scored 42 points against the Oregon Ducks. This is a young team who is learning how to win every week.
Gonzaga has steam rolled every team in the tournament. They won their first 3 games by 43, 16 and 18 points. Drew Timme had 22 points and 7 rebounds in their win over Creighton. Jalen Suggs continues to be one of the best guards in the country. He is averaging 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals per game.
Prediction:
USC will give Gonzaga problems. The Bulldogs want to get up and down the court and score quickly. The Trojans will slow them down and protect the paint and the rim. Gonzaga is 29-0 for a reason. Mark Few’s team has too many weapons to lose this game.
Gonzaga 80- USC 71
March 30th, 9;57 PM, TBS:
#11 UCLA vs #1 Michigan:
The PAC-12 Conference has shocked the basketball world during March Madness. UCLA is part of that equation. They lost 4 games in a row before winning their play-in game against Michigan State, 86-80. The Bruins defeated Alabama, 88-78 Sunday and had 6 players score in double digits. Tyger Campbell has 13 points and 5 assists. Jules Bernard and Jamie Jaquez combined for 34 points and 14 rebounds.
The Wolverines are 23-4 on the season. Juwan Howard has done a tremendous job of getting this team and his players to buy into his system. Hunter Dickinson, Isaiah Livers, and Franz Wagner all average over 12 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Prediction:
Howard has been in this position before as a player, that should help his as he coaches his alma matter.
Take the well-coached Wolverines in this one.
Michigan 73- UCLA 67
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