Ohio will claw way past Creighton
THE bubble isn’t enough. Freeze Gonzaga in carbonite before COVID can pull another VCU and hand the Zags its only loss of the season.
Ohio (+5.5) over Creighton: The show is just getting started. The Bobcats earned countless new fans in their stunner of Virginia, impressively clawing back against the Cavaliers’ grinding defense. Now, Ohio star Jason Preston’s rise to fame will reach a new level, with the pace of play picking up to the point guard’s liking. The Bluejays’ recent problems remained evident in a one-point win over UC Santa Barbara, and Ohio’s shooting (48.4 field goal percentage, 13th in the nation) is equal to Creighton’s greatest strength. Someone just make sure to stop alum Steve Serby from streaking — or worse.
UCLA (-4.5) over Abilene Christian: It’s easy to get sucked into a good story. Ohio and Abilene Christian are two reasons why the tournament is the greatest event in sports. The difference between the underdogs on this day is their respective opponents. While Ohio faces a 5 seed unrecognizable from its peak, the Wildcats face an 11 seed no one wants to see. The Bruins are rolling after impressive wins over Michigan State and BYU, with Johnny Juzang averaging 25 points. UCLA is too disciplined to let Abilene Christian’s turnover-dependent defense spark another upset. While Texas had 23 turnovers in the one-point loss to the
Wildcats, UCLA averages less than 11 per game.
Colorado (+1) over Florida State: Nearly every bracket I’ve seen features 4-seed Florida State making a run to the Elite Eight or Final Four, and 5-seed Colorado losing before the Sweet 16. The public’s confidence should give you pause, considering how sentiment is largely being swayed by the Seminoles’ recent tournament success and the Buffaloes’ long absence from this stage. But Colorado has won seven of its past eight games — including five NCAA Tournament teams — and has proven it can handle teams which possess Florida State’s length and athleticism. The Buffaloes will slow the pace and spread the floor and reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1969.
LSU (+5) over Michigan: Like Loyola Chicago, the Tigers are far better than the 8 seed suggests. The team that lost to Saint Louis in November and suffered a double-digit defeat to Georgia is no more. Since March started, LSU has finally lived up to its potential, winning five of its past six games — with six straight covers, including a win over 3-seed Arkansas and a one-point loss to 2-seed Alabama — because of an offense that can outduel any team in the nation. Isaiah Livers’ absence will be glaring in a matchup which begs for his defense and perimeter shooting. This season: 18-20
2011-20 record: 261-223-9