Pregame Shootaround 3.10.13: Two more NCAA tickets to be punched Sunday
Mar 10, 2013, 9:30 AM EDT
AP Game of the Day: No. 2 Indiana vs. No. 7 Michigan (4:00 p.m. ET, CBS)
Indiana has already locked up at least a share of the Big Ten title by (oddly enough) losing to Ohio State this week, so it will be Michigan who is clawing for a piece of the pie Sunday. If Michigan wins, they will finish 13-5 in the conference on the year as part of what could be a four-way tie, depending upon the outcomes of Ohio State-Illinois and Michigan State-Northwestern.
The key for Michigan will be the level of physicality that it can bring against Indiana. The problem is, interior depth has been one of its major problems this season. Having a presence in the paint and disrupting Cody Zeller’s offensive flow can go a long way toward derailing the Hoosiers’ offense. Taking away the inside puts more offensive pressure on Victor Oladipo and Christian Watford. The less weapons available and clicking offensively, the better for the Wolverines.
Michigan will want to turn Indiana missed shots and turnovers into points in transition, where they thrive. Indiana can combat that by being efficient and getting Oladipo in positions where he can be aggressive offensively.
Who’s Getting Upset?: Michigan (-1.5) vs. Indiana (See above)
Mid-Major Matchup of the Day: Wichita State vs. Creighton (MVC tournament championship) (2:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
Last time Doug McDermott faced Wichita State, he dropped 41 points and clinched the regular season conference title for the Bluejays. This time, it’s for the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. What should we expect? More McDermott. Wichita State needs to know, though, that they’re running into a hot Creighton team. After that dominating performance by McDermott in the season finale, the Bluejays shot 54 percent in their win over Indiana State Saturday. The recipe for a win is more Cleanthony Early and Carl Hall for the Shockers, along with contributions from point guard Malcolm Armstead.
Five Things to Watch For
1) No. 14 Ohio State and No. 10 Michigan State are, for one day, Michigan fans. Both teams need a win Sunday and an Indiana loss to create a four-way tie atop the Big Ten.
2) Saint Louis clinched at least a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season title Saturday by beating La Salle. Now the spotlight shifts to Virginia Commonwealth Sunday against Temple. A Ram victory gets Shaka Smart’s team a piece of the title pie in its first season in the A-10. A loss gives Saint Louis the title outright.
3) In a battle of NCAA tournament bubble teams, Maryland and Virginia match up Sunday. The winner has a leg up on the other in the race for the Big Dance. Expect Virginia’s Joe Harris to shine.
4) Stony Brook has been the best team in the America East regular season, but this is where mid-major hoops is at its best. Host team Albany is looking for an upset in the America East tournament. Winner moves on. Loser goes home.
5) Liberty pulled the upset Saturday over Gardner-Webb and now advances to the Big South championship game against Charleston Southern at noon. Winner gets the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
The Top 25
No. 2 Indiana vs. No. 7 Michigan (4:00 p.m. ET, CBS)
No. 10 Michigan State vs. Northwestern (6:00 p.m. ET, CBS/Big Ten Network)
No. 14 Ohio State vs. Illinois (12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 21 Virginia Commonwealth vs. Temple (12:00 p.m. ET, CBS)
No. 22 Wisconsin vs. Penn State (12:00 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network)
Other Notable Games
Liberty vs. Charleston Southern (12:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Iona vs. Niagara (2:00 p.m. ET, ESPN3)
Wichita State vs. Creighton (2:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
Maryland vs. Virginia (6:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
Albany vs. Stony Brook (7:00 p.m. ET)
Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_
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