NCAA Tournament West Region Third Round
#3 Connecticut Huskies vs #6 Cincinnati Bearcats
Verizon Center, Washington, DC
Saturday, March 19, 2011, 9:40 pm Eastern, TV: TBS
Opening Line: UConn -2 1/2
Current Line: UConn -3 1/2
Opening Total: 129 1/2
Current Total: 130
Money Line: UConn -165 / Cincinnati +145
This is the earliest two teams from the same conference have played against each other since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in the 1980’s. It used to be a rule that two teams from the same conference couldn’t play against each other until the elite 8 round but they changed that rule a few years ago. This year the Big East sent a record 11 teams into the NCAA tournament so some teams from the Big East would meet earlier int eh tournament. The #3 seed Connecticut Huskies take on the #6 Cincinnati Bearcats in the third round of the west region, with a berth in the Sweet 16 on the line. The Bearcats finished the regular season with a 26-8 record and finished 6th in the Big East with an 11-7 record. The Bearcats have won 4 of their last 5 games including a 78-63 pounding of Missouri in the second round. Four Bearcats scored in double figures including forward Yancy Gates who had 18 points and 11 rebounds. UConn was 27-9 in the regular season and finished 9th in the Big East with a 9-9 record. The Huskies had an incredible run through the Big East tournament wining 5 games in 5 days to claim the title. The thoughts that UConn might be fatigued after such a run were quickly put to rest as UConn destroyed Bucknell 81-52 in the second round of the NCAA tournament. National player of the year candidate Kemba Walker had 18 points and 12 assists to lead the Huskies, along with 8 rebounds for the near triple-double. The winner of this game will play the winner of San Diego St and Temple in the regional semifinals in Anaheim.
Connecticut leads the overall series against Cincinnati 6-2. The two teams played only once this season February 27 in Cincinnati. UConn won that game 67-59. The Huskies are 2-2 straight up and 2-1-1 ATS in the last 4 versus the Bearcats. UConn played 21 games against teams in the NCAA Tournament, the most of any team in the field. They went 12-9 in those games. The Bearcats went 6-8 against tournament teams. Cincinnati is 15-25 against conference opponents the last 2 seasons. Connecticut is 19-11 ATS in all games this season, including 9-0 in neutral site and tournament games this season. The Huskies won the Maui Invitational in November and the Big East Championship last week. UConn is 17-9 ATS against teams with winning records this season.
Cincinnati has no significant injuries right now. The Bearcats are led by forward Yancy Gates who is averaging 11.9 points, 7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks a game. He leads the team in points, rebounds, and blocks. Guard Dion Dixon averages 11.8 points, 3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Guard Sean Kilpatrick averages 9.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. Point Guard Cashmere Wright averages 8.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals a game. He leads the team in assists and steals. The Bearcats are outscoring opponents 69-59. Cincinnati is shooting 43.8% from the field and 33.9% from 3-point range. Bearcat opponents are shooting 41% from the field. Cincinnati shoots 66.8% from the free throw line. Cincinnati averages 35.6 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +4.7. They average 14.3 assists and 11.6 turnovers a game. The Bearcats force 14.2 turnovers a game on defense. Cincinnati averages 7.4 steals and 3.7 blocks a game.
Connecticut has no significant injuries right now. The Huskies are led by dynamic guard Kemba Walker. The 6’1″ Walker is averaging 23.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.9 steals a game. He leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals. Guard/forward Jeremy Lamb averages 10.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists a game. Forward/center Alex Oriakhi averages 9.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounds and blocks. Guard Shabazz Napier averages 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.7 steals a game. UConn is outscoring opponents 74-66 on the year. The Huskies are shooting 43.5% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range. Husky opponents are shooting 39.9% from the field. The Huskies shoot 75.6% from the free throw line. UConn averages 39.8 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +4.7. UConn averages 13.3 assists and 11.6 turnovers a game. They force 11.9 turnovers a game on defense. They average 6.6 steals and 5.6 blocks a game.
Cincinnati is a better defensive team but UConn is better on offense. These two teams know each other very well and this should be a close game. I don’t think Cincinnati has an answer for the red hot Walker, but few teams do. He should be the difference for the Huskies.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot in the tournament. Don’t miss out on any more winners from now until the championship game next month.
