Bombastic Sweet 16 Matchups,
The first one on the schedule is exceptionally compelling
2015 NCAA Tournament | Sweet 16
Thu Mar 26, 2015 | 7:15 PM, EDT | CBS
Quicken Loans Arena | Cleveland, Ohio
#14 07 WICHITA STATE SHOCKERS 30-4 (18-2 Conf | 18-14 ATS) BPI-11
#08 03 NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH 31-5 (17-4 Conf | 15-13 ATS) BPI-10
Wichita State Shockers
Projected SHOCKER Starters
WSU 6-00 | 195 Jr Fred Van Vleet
WSU 6-03 | 205 Sr Tekele Cotton
WSU 6-04 | 218 Jr Evan Wessel
WSU 6-04 | 220 Jr Ron Baker
WSU 6-07 | 245 Sr Darius Carter
Key SHOCKER Contributors
WSU 6-11 | 232 Jr Bush Wamukota
WSU 6-06 | 213 Fr Zach Brown
WSU 6-07 | 261 Fr Shaquille Morris
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Projected IRISH Starters
ND 6-01 | 198 So Demetrius Jackson
ND 6-05 | 203 Sr Jerian Grant
ND 6-05 | 218 Sr Pat Connaughton
ND 6-05 | 211 So Steve Vasturia
ND 6-10 | 242 Jr Zach Auguste
Key IRISH Contributors
ND 6-05 | 226 Fr Bonzie Colson
ND 6-07 | 228 So Austin Torres
ND 6-08 | 200 So V.J. Beachem
Contrasting game between proficient OFFENSIVE Irish team &
Disruptive, antagonistic DEFENSIVE Shocker team
Many analysts look to ND’s wins over Duke & UNC in the ACC Tourney
As a barometer for reevaluating the Irish as truly elite
These teams ND handled were suited to the Irish up-tempo game
Notre Dame has been slowed & even beaten by teams that force methodical tempo
ND really only played one game vs a TRUE Top-100 Zone Defense
ND lost at Home, 65-60 vs Syracuse (just 8 games ago)
The Irish vaunted 3-Point Game was hampered by SU (3-22)
It’s worth mentioning that ND’s has dropped off to just 8-26 (30.7%)
When the Tourney games grind down & get into Half Court action
The Offensive First teams tend to start showing their flaws
Especially teams like ND w/so many 3-Point bombers that benefit from open court spacing
ND’s Three-Point Shooting is unthinkably superb
Not only does ND bring FIVE Players that hit more than 1 three per game
Only ONE of those FIVE players are shooting UNDER 40% from Deep
Jerian Grant 32% on 48 made 3’s
* ND Pat Connaughton has hit 90 Threes at 42.7% (2½ Made 3’s per game)
* ND Steve Vasturia has hit 56 Threes at 40.9%
* ND Demetrius Jackson has hit 50 Threes at 42.7%
* ND V.J. Beachem has hit 42 Threes at 42%
Yet, ND hasn’t faced a team like Wichita State in many weeks
The Shockers are simply an underappreciated, machine-like Mid-Major
The only real weakness WSU (arguably) has had:
Facing oversized Teams (as they did in the Regular Season vs N Iowa)
Aside from this, WSU is bedrock model of consistency
WSU is in Top 15 in BOTH Offensive & Defensive Efficiency
WSU is vastly overlooked in terms of offensive versatility & balance
Over WSU’s last 7 Wins
WSU had FOUR different ‘most proficient’ offensive player of the game
Cotton vs KU
Van Vleet vs IU
Cotton vs So Ill
Baker vs N Iowa
Cotton at Indiana St
Van Vleet vs Evansville
Morris ar So Ill
Wichita State also does not beat themselves
WSU is a sparkling +5.2 in Turnover % (ND is +2.2)
Wichita State’s heady PG, Van Vleet brings a superb 3.22 Assist to Turnover Ratio
It is Wichita State’s tireless, overplaying Defense that should be the #1 difference
WSU should relish 1 more opportunity to turn Defensive screws down on another Offensive powerhouse
Wichita State’s FIVE Upperclass Starters have all been on this stage
WSU Starters have played in 36 combined NCAA Tournament Games
Each current WSU Starter played a significant role on last year’s 35-1 Shocker Season
Lessons learned from Wichita State squandering a 9-Point 2nd Half Lead to Kentucky
Should serve Wichita State well as they move on to an Elite Eight Saturday rematch vs #1 Cats
2 UNIT
07 WICHITA STATE -2 (-110 | BetOnline)
03 NOTRE DAME
All the best, guys