NIT Quarterfinals
#7 Kent St Golden Flashes at #1 Colorado Buffaloes
Coors Events Center, Boulder, CO
Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Colorado -9
Current Line: Colorado -10 1/2
Opening Total: 151
Current Total: 154
Money Line: Colorado -650 / Kent St +450
A Couple of weeks ago, Colorado was snubbed by the NCAA tournament selection committee. As a consolation prize, they were given one of the four number 1 seeds in the NIT. Sometimes when a team does get into the NCAA tournament, they are so disappointed that they come out flat in the NIT and get beat. That hasn’t happened so far with the Buffaloes as they crushed Texas Southern 88-74 and California 89-72 to get to the NIT quarterfinals. Both games were in Boulder. Colorado is 23-12 and finished fifth in the Big 12 with an 8-8 record. While Colorado has had the luxury of staying at home for their first two games, Kent St is trying to to become only the 4th team to win 3 straight road games in the NIT to advance to the semifinals. This will be their third game in 3 time zones in the tournament. They have traveled 8,000 miles in the tournament so far with a 71-70 victory at St. Mary’s (CA), and a 72-68 win at Fairfield (Conn). The Golden Flashes are 25-11 and won the MAC regular season title with a 12-4 record, but lost the MAC title game 66-65 in overtime to Akron. The winner of Colorado and Kent St will play the winner of Alabama and Miami-(FL) in the semifinals next week in New York City.
Colorado and Kent St have never played against each other before this game. Colorado is 17-2 at home this year with the only losses coming to Kansas and Texas A&M. Kent St was 5-8 on the road in the regular season but has won 2 road games in the NIT. The Golden Flashes are 13-27 ATS in non-conference games the last 3 seasons. Colorado is 13-5 ATS in home games against teams with winning records over the last two seasons.
Kent St guard Michael Porrini is probable against Colorado with a concussion Porrini averages 9.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals a game. He leads the team in assists and steals. Kent St is led by forward Justin Greene who is averaging 15.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks a game. He leads the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks. Guard Carlton Guyton averages 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1 steal a game. Guard Rodriguez Sherman averages 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. Kent St is outscoring opponents 71-66 on the season. The Golden Flashes are shooting 43.9% from the field and 33.6% from three point range. Kent St opponents are shooting 41.7% from the field. The Flashes shoot 66.8% from the free throw line. Kent St averages 37.3 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +0.8. They averages 13.8 assists and 13 turnovers a game. Kent St forces 14.2 turnovers a game on defense. The Flashes average 7.8 steals and 4.1 blocks a game.
Colorado guard Nate Tomlinson is doubtful for this game against Kent St with a shoulder injury. He only scores a round 3 points a game. The Buffaloes have four players averaging double digit scoring led by Guard Alec Burks. Burks is averaging 20.4 points to lead the team, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists to also lead the team, and 1 steal a game. Guard Cory Higgins averages 16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1 steal a game. Levi Knutson averages 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1 assist a game. The top 3 scorers all shoot at least 82% from the free throw line. Forward Marcus Relphorde averages 11.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Guard Andre Roberson leads the team in rebounds with 7.8, steals with 1.4 a game, and blocks with 1.1 a game. Colorado is outscoring opponents 80-74 on the season. The Buffs are shooting 47.4% from the field and 37.7% from 3 point range. Colorado opponents are shooting 44.5% from the field. The Buffaloes make 77.6% of their free throws. Colorado averages 36 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +2.7. The Buffs average 13.6 assists and 11.7 turnovers a game. They force 13.7 turnovers a game on defense. Colorado averages 6.8 steals and 2.9 blocks a game.
All the travel that Kent St has had to do during this tournament has to catch up with the Golden Flashes eventually. Especially with this game being played at the altitude of Boulder. Any disappointment these teams are feeling for not making the Big Dance have been replaced by the chance to go to the semifinals and win the NIT. I think Kent St has the chance to hang around for a while, but Colorado wins at the end.
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