Oregon vs Miami Ohio Preview and Friday Free Pick
Oregon (3) Vs. Miami, OH (14)
Friday, 3/16 @ 4:55
Betting Line From Bookmaker: Oregon -8
The tenth ranked Oregon Ducks (26- 7, 11- 7 Pac-10) finished third in their conference and won the Pac-10 tournament by beating USC easily 81- 57. The Miami (OH) RedHawks (18- 14, 10- 6 MAC E) finished third in their division but beat first-place Akron 53- 52 to take the MAC Tournament and go to the Big Dance.
Senior guard Aaron Brooks (17.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.4 APG) is not only the team’s biggest point scorer; he’s their leader on the court. For the Ducks to perform well, he has to have a good game. This is a team capable of playing inconsistent ball. Loaded with inexperienced talent at guard, including point producers junior Bryce Taylor (14.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG) and freshman Tajuan Porter (14.4 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 2.1 APG), the Ducks depend upon the experienced Brooks to set the tone and tempo. Juniors Maarty Leunen (10.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG) and Malik Hairston (11.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG) maintain the boards.
For Miami, the go-to guy is junior power forward Tim Pollitz (15.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.7 APG), who hits threes 67% of the time. Senior forward Nathan Peavy (14.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG) is tough to stop if Pollitz is on. The guards on this team won’t score a whole lot of points, but they’ll get the ball moving and play stubborn “D.�
The RedHawks have an indomitable spirit and are hardnosed. Oregon should outmatch them, but that doesn’t mean that they will cover or even win straight up. This Oregon team has played up and down all season long and are riding a current high coming into the tournament after winning the Pac-10 championship tourney. A slow style of play from the Redhawks limiting possessions could really frustrate Oregon on top of the fact a let down may be coming for the Ducks and Miami Ohio grabbing 8 looks pretty good and will be our free basketball pick for Friday.
Friday Free March Madness Basketball Pick – Miami Ohio +8
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