It’s mid-March which means it is conference tournament season! In Las Vegas, the WCC season wraps up today as the underdog Saint Mary’s Gaels look to win three games against the Gonzaga Bulldogs this season.
Elsewhere, take the favorites in the opening round of ACC tournament play including the Florida State Seminoles against the Syracuse Orange, who haven’t won back-to-back games all season.
The Gaels take their eight-game win streak into the WCC Championship game against archrival Gonzaga tonight in Las Vegas. Saint Mary’s are led by two Lithuanian playmakers in Augustas Marciulionis and Paulius Murauskas.
Although SMC received just 16 points from these two in their last win against Gonzaga in Spokane, the depth of this squad led by head coach Randy Bennett is elite. These teams have met in seven of the last nine WCC Finals in Las Vegas with the Gaels winning two of those matchups including last season.
Gonzaga is too inconsistent on both ends of the floor to pick them straight up tonight and after losing twice to SMC during the regular season, the Gaels will have their number again tonight.
UCF and Utah are ranked similarly across the board. Kenpom, advanced stats, records, and conference standing lead to the notion that this will be an extremely tight matchup.
UCF defeated Utah by four points at home on February 23rd, forcing 19 turnovers and shooting just 6 of 24 from beyond the arc. After a gritty win, I’m giving the edge to Johnny Dawkins and the Knights tonight in the opening round of Big 12 tournament play.
Dating back to 2020-21, the UCF has won the first round game in their conference tournament in each season. The team that forces more turnovers and shoots near the 80% mark from the free throw line will win this ball game, and that is UCF in this case.
Adrian Autry and the Syracuse Orange will be overwhelmed tonight against Florida State in the opening round of ACC tournament play. These squads played in January, which gives the edge to FSU after their 16-point home victory.
They are led by red-hot guard Jamir Watkins who averages 18.5 PPG this season. Against a backcourt of Jaquon Carlos, Kyle Cuffe, and J.J. Starling, the Seminoles have the massive edge there and can maintain Eddie Lampkin with their solid size down low.
This is the type of game that could result in a blowout due to the Orange’s lack of 3-point shooting and defensive struggles throughout the season in ACC play.