Defense reigns in UVa. vs. Louisville
USA TODAY Sports’ Scott Gleeson takes a weekly look at the best college men’s basketball matchups. Records as of Monday afternoon.
No. 12 Virginia at No. 14 Louisville
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS About the Cavaliers (15-4, 4-3): Virginia isn’t at the same level it was the last two seasons when it won back-to-back Atlantic Coast Conference titles. Still, the Cavaliers are contenders behind coach Tony Bennett’s system. They rank sixth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 61.4 points per game. Virginia’s four ACC losses all came on the road, and two common culprits were poor three-point shooting and getting outrebounded. Point guard London Perrantes (11.9 ppg, 4.4 apg) is an X factor for this team, while Malcolm Brogdon and Anthony Gill are the primary offensive weapons.
About the Cardinals (16-3, 5-1): Rick Pitino’s team has a smothering defense that ranks second nationally, allowing 58.8 points per game, and ranks first in field goal percentage defense, limiting opponents to 36.4% shooting from the floor. The Cardinals also are highly efficient on the glass, ranking sixth in rebounding margin (11.2). Louisville’s best players are a pair of midmajor transfers in Damion Lee and Trey Lewis. The guards complement each other and drive the offense, while sophomore center Chinanu Onuaku averages close to a double-double.
Star watch: Virginia guard Brogdon (17.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg) and forward Gill (14.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg). Louisville guard Lee (16.6 ppg) and guard Lewis (12.2 ppg).
The pick: Virginia. This is a clash of two of the best defensive teams in the country. Both struggle from beyond the arc, so outside shooting could be a key.
No. 16 Iowa State at No. 5 Texas A&M
Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN About the Cyclones (15-4, 4-3): First-year coach Steve Prohm inherited a Final Fourcaliber roster from Fred Hoiberg and that hasn’t changed, despite a few hiccups. Iowa State’s record is deceiving. ISU’s win against Oklahoma on Jan. 18 showed the Cyclones are one of the best teams in the Big 12, the country’s toughest conference. Preseason All-American Georges Niang is having another sensational season, while