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From the opening tip this year, Money has been saying that Florida won’t repeat as National champions. And time is running out. I have never doubted the talent on this team. The two things that jumped out at me in defense of their title, was their ability to turn it on and off, and the arrow they would continually have on their back in each game.
Florida has managed to survive mainly due to some nice matchups (easy,) until now. The Bruins have been getting by on defense, with the exception of the Kansas game, where they got an outstanding performance from Afflalo. They will need that same performance and more if they expect to win the game. UCLA has relied all season on Afflalo for their offense. When he is on the court, he takes 27.7% of their shots. Given how he has played in this tournament and knowing that Corey Brewer and his long arms will be guarding him, I can’t expect an MOP performance out of Afflalo, which is what it will take to win the game.
Florida will have such an advantage in the frontcourt with Noah and Horford. UCLA simply does not have anyone to guard them. Add in the fact that Horford does not miss from inside the key, and you have a whole pile of wrong for the Bruins. If UCLA double teams the big guys, then they will pass the ball outside to one of their sharp shooting guards for an easy, open 3.
I still don’t think they will repeat as champions, but I can still pick them one more time.
FLORIDA 71 Ucla 59
The next game is much more difficult to handicap. Both teams have dominant big men who are prone to foul trouble, have good shooting perimeter guard play, and play very good defense. But who has the edge? I think both teams will struggle if their big men get in foul trouble. Ohio State has proven they can win without Oden earlier in the season and the OT win versus Xavier, but having Oden on the floor is clearly their strength. They are much more dominant when he is on the floor. Hibbert has a couple more years on Oden, and in the college game, that is huge. They both will get in foul trouble, but Oden will do it quicker.
Georgetown can score, and they can shoot too. The Buckeyes don’t defend the 3 point shot well, so this will be an advantage for the Hoyas. Georgetown usually turns the ball over quite a bit but has done a good job of holding on to it during the tournament. If they continue with this trend, OSU will be hard pressed to beat them.
This game will be close, you can count on that, so if somebody is down 4-10 points at halftime, then take the loser to come back and make it close.
GEORGETOWN 68 Ohio State 64
Florida has managed to survive mainly due to some nice matchups (easy,) until now. The Bruins have been getting by on defense, with the exception of the Kansas game, where they got an outstanding performance from Afflalo. They will need that same performance and more if they expect to win the game. UCLA has relied all season on Afflalo for their offense. When he is on the court, he takes 27.7% of their shots. Given how he has played in this tournament and knowing that Corey Brewer and his long arms will be guarding him, I can’t expect an MOP performance out of Afflalo, which is what it will take to win the game.
Florida will have such an advantage in the frontcourt with Noah and Horford. UCLA simply does not have anyone to guard them. Add in the fact that Horford does not miss from inside the key, and you have a whole pile of wrong for the Bruins. If UCLA double teams the big guys, then they will pass the ball outside to one of their sharp shooting guards for an easy, open 3.
I still don’t think they will repeat as champions, but I can still pick them one more time.
FLORIDA 71 Ucla 59
The next game is much more difficult to handicap. Both teams have dominant big men who are prone to foul trouble, have good shooting perimeter guard play, and play very good defense. But who has the edge? I think both teams will struggle if their big men get in foul trouble. Ohio State has proven they can win without Oden earlier in the season and the OT win versus Xavier, but having Oden on the floor is clearly their strength. They are much more dominant when he is on the floor. Hibbert has a couple more years on Oden, and in the college game, that is huge. They both will get in foul trouble, but Oden will do it quicker.
Georgetown can score, and they can shoot too. The Buckeyes don’t defend the 3 point shot well, so this will be an advantage for the Hoyas. Georgetown usually turns the ball over quite a bit but has done a good job of holding on to it during the tournament. If they continue with this trend, OSU will be hard pressed to beat them.
This game will be close, you can count on that, so if somebody is down 4-10 points at halftime, then take the loser to come back and make it close.
GEORGETOWN 68 Ohio State 64