There are four-ranked teams getting ready to play at Madison Square Garden tonight in the 2k Sports Classic. The first game at 7 p.m. is #24 Syracuse vs. #12 California. East coast vs. West coast.
The Golden Bears may have the best backcourt in the country led by point guard Jerome Randle, who is picking up where he left off from last year, averaging 20 ppg. His counterpart, Patrick Christopher, is also a very crafty guard and has much success from behind the 3 point line. Syracuse has the advantage in the paint, Arinze Onuaku may be the biggest human being in college basketball and possesses a soft touch around the rim. If he could hit a free throw to save his life, his points average would increase tremendously. Iowa State transfer, Wesley Johnson, has been a nice surprise for the Orange. Johnson reminds me of former Cincinnati player, DeMarr Johnson, from the days when Bob Huggins was the coach. Wesley Johnson is very versatile and one of the most athletic players in the country. If Syracuse can get their big men involved early, and get California into foul trouble, they have a shot for the upset. California has a bunch of scorers, and they want to get out and run. Syracuse must slow them down, or California could potentially run the Orange out of the building.
The second game of the night is #4 North Carolina vs. #15 Ohio State. I feel like these two teams are matched up every year. Carolina has been dominant in this series winning the last couple of years. UNC's backcourt is young, but don't get me wrong, they can play with anybody. I love how Roy Williams has made Deon Thompson is first option in the halfcourt because he is better than most people think. Thompson is averaging 17.7 point and 8.3 rebounds already this season. If new point guard, Larry Drew, can control the pace of the game, Carolina has too many athletes for Ohio State. On the other hand, Ohio State may have arguably the best player in the country, Evan Turner. Turner leads the Buckeyes in every major category besides blocks. He is already had a triple-double this season, the second in Ohio State history. Turner and sidekick, William Buford, can score just flat out score. They are both future first round draft picks whenever they decide to leave. If Carolina lets these two gain confidence, I smell an upset in the making.
California over Syracuse
North Carolina over Ohio State
I think the top ranked teams are going to get it done tonight.
I think you're wrong about NC. They will lose to Ohio St. and the Cuse will survive vs,. Cal. On another note, what do think about Chris Douglas Roberts? Is he legit or just a chucker on a bad team. I know a guy in Middletown who coaches Freshman basketball and he loves CDR.
ReplyDeleteBy now you probably know, I was way off on that Syracuse-California matchup. But that's why I don't get paid to do this yet. But I trust Carolina will take care of business. As far as CDR goes, I think he is a quality player in a desperate situation. The Nets are without Devin Harris and Courtney Lee so it is CDR's job to score. It is also hard rating the talent of a person on a team that is 0-12. I thought he was a great college player, but lacked the shooting ability to excel at the next level. He has obviously proven he can shoot a little better than we all thought with his 30 point output recently. If you are asking if CDR will ever be an All-Star, I highly doubt it.
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