SL's Saturday Second Round Stuff (Paid & Free Play UP)

 Hey, alright.. UHHH.. I know we've got the NIT matchup early, and then St. Mary's/Villanova after that.. I'm passing on those.  The action won't start for me until at least noon pacific.  As for that early NCAA game, I actually lean to Villanova.. They do a fantastic job of getting to the paint and drawing fouls... Samhan is not necessarily a genius, he's easily lured into stupid fouls, and if Nova can get him out of the game early SMC really wouldn't stand a chance.  Mickey McConnel is a stud, and Delavadova can knock em down as well, but they only get open looks because Samhan takes so much attention.  You pretty much have to play zone when Samhan is on the floor, especially when both him and Ben Allen are on the floor; If he's not out there, you can go back to Man and won't have to worry about losing the sharp shooters in holes on the wings.  Nova can really screw the Gaels if they get Samhan into something stupid, just keep that in mind.  I know a ton of people are looking to roll with SMC after their performance the other night, and conversely - the bad performance from Nova... Just be careful.

Getting ready to do the podcast.. So I'll be out for an hour or so.  I'll pass along any insight on the rest of the games that i have after that, along with possibly a free play... and for those on board with the paid play today, it'll be posted by 9am pacific time.

Official Free Play:

Baylor -5 (1.05/1.0) - Baylor Bears Baby!  I'll be short, because like everyone else I want to get positioned on the couch for a great day of hoops.  Fact is, ODU was able to succeed against Notre Dame because of their size, and their ability to enforce their slow pace.  Not many people can match the size of Notre Dame on the perimeter, ODU equaled that size easily and it was essential in forcing ND to waste the shot clock every possession.  That being said, Baylor is a team that not only matches the size of ODU, but they exceed it.  Baylor is extremely lengthy, tall, and most importantly athletic.  Key to this game is Baylor's ability to get out and run.  ND flat out doesn't have the transition game that was necessary to get ODU out of their comfort zone... BAYLOR DOES.  Baylor can flat out fly in the open court, and they've got a rare breed of athlete down there in Texas that certainly knows how to finish.

I see this line steaming up a bit, and i know I'm not alone in liking Baylor today.. but once again, there's nothing wrong with riding along with Joe Pub if you know there's an edge there.  The edge today is Baylor's ability to speed up the pace and use their athleticism to combat ODU's methodical/disciplined gameplan.  Look for Baylor to sustain a scoring pace that ODU simply cannot keep up with.  Take Baylor for 1 unit!

Thank you Sac. I was really beginning to feel like a minoriy I jumped on Nova last night. Samhan as I watch is just very slow looking almost to deliberate with his foot work & backing people down and IMO not overly athletic. Now as I knock him, its not to be mean he's good but I don't feel he matches up well with the more athletic bigs of Nova.

cbelongia

Thank you Sac. I was really beginning to feel like a minoriy I jumped on Nova last night. Samhan as I watch is just very slow looking almost to deliberate with his foot work & backing people down and IMO not overly athletic. Now as I knock him, its not to be mean he's good but I don't feel he matches up well with the more athletic bigs of Nova.

Right on target man.. he's definitely not athletic, and the issue I have with him is that every single post move is an offensive foul.. He hooks with his off-arm more than anyone I've every seen.  Just watch him today, Every post move is a spin move where he wooks, or a quick turn where he elbows the chest of the defender.  He's crafty, and I've played with guys like that, it sucks to play em in practice because they're so damn cheap, but when he's on your side it's money because he knows how to get away with it.  The point I'm getting at is that some of these refs haven't seen him all year long, and one of these guys is going to see what he's doing and key him up for an offensive foul, and his advantage will be instantly out the window.

Hey Sac, I think you make a great point about this game.  Everyone saw Villanova struggle against Robert Morris while St. Mary's cruised to an easy win over Richmond.  Because of that everyone is now over-reacting to what they just saw last.  Villanova did struggle in their first round game last year then dominated in their next few games.  Passarooni for me as well.  Good luck to you hoss.

Evan Altemus

Hey Sac, I think you make a great point about this game.  Everyone saw Villanova struggle against Robert Morris while St. Mary's cruised to an easy win over Richmond.  Because of that everyone is now over-reacting to what they just saw last.  Villanova did struggle in their first round game last year then dominated in their next few games.  Passarooni for me as well.  Good luck to you hoss.

No doubt about it man.. For the public, that's a big disadvantage of all the tournament games being on TV.  They personally see these events happen and automatically think that's the teams identity, when in reality it may not be...

That being said, PAID PLAY is now UP guys.. and I will have one very small freebie today.. That will be up reaaal soon

 Freebie up fellas.. GO BEARS!

 Oh yeah, and since there was a request to know the realm of when the paid play will start.. so people won't miss it... It starts between 2-3 Pacific!

thanks sac.

Gl today Sac, if you have time stop by my post.

 Games just starting up fellas!  I'll be watching all day, try and check in on the forums every hour or so.. Let's have a ++ day!