I stand by my predictions to this point. And I stick by my prognostications for the next round.
SDSU over New Mexico, 74-68 (I'm going with a SLIGHTLY higher score than originally stated). New Mexico has had issues with SDSU this year: SDSU won by 10 at home (without Billy White) and took the game at the Pit to OT before falling by 2. In tournament play, the hungrier team usually wins. Playing for your NCAA Tournament life makes you hungrier than playing for your NCAA Tournament seed. Billy White can slow down Hobson. DJ Gay can slow down Dairese Gary. If Kawhi Leonard can slow down Roman Martinez and if Chase Tapley stays with Phillip McDonald at the 3-point line, SDSU could win this game going away. It will take a team effort, but I think SDSU can reach down and get it done.
Now is the time for BYU to put up or shut up. Yes, UNLV is at home. But it is not an impregnable fortress. This year's (sub .500) Utah team went in there and got it done. Last year's NIT-bound SDSU team beat them in the tournament. This year's BYU team is better than both of those teams that got the job done in Vegas. Jimmer is ready to go. Jackson Emery is playing as good of defense as he has played all year. They are getting bench production. Fans from the New Mexico-SDSU game winner will probably side with BYU (maybe, I doubt they want to play UNLV in the Finals) for a change. This is it. Win a big game. For once. Show your fans that this year's team is different. I'm still going with BYU to pull it out: 80-72 (slightly lower-scoring than originally predicted). Jimmer won't get to shoot 24 free throws this game, so if he wants 45 points again, he's going to have to make some shots. Everybody needs to shoot better tonight. If they do, they might just win this thing.
Again, a web site to watch the game if you don't get CBS College Sports: http://www.justin.tv/rhinox999 or http://www.justin.tv/sportzentertainment2c should get you somewhere to watch the game. It starts at 9:30pm Mountain, sorry East Coasters...
Tthe scenario you have predicted is best for the MWC, so let's hope it happens. SDSU would be in for sure, and BYU would improve it's seed (maybe) or at least give itself a really good chance of moving up a line by winning the tourney. Playing UNLV makes me feel physically anxious every time....don't what it is about them. I agree with everything you said, this team needs to man up finally and beat UNLV in Vegas...and I think they will. Living on the East Coast stinks. 10:00 would be okay, but 11 frickin 30??!!
ReplyDeleteYou are sadly mistaken if you think any other team's fans will be rooting for BYU. I was there two years ago in person and not one fan from another team rooted for us against Las Vegas; no not one. I think we can beat UNLV tonight. If we can' then the NCAA will be one and out.
ReplyDelete