The fun in the sun ends today. The two best teams made it through to the finals in what should be a great game between two great programs. See who I think will come out on top.
Day 3 picks
7th Place Game
Tennessee over Chaminade – Tennessee is probably bummed out about their double overtime loss yesterday but they shouldnt be. They have played pretty well in this tournament eventhough the results haven’t showed it. They will beat up on the host team today before they head back home.
5th Place Game
Georgetown over Memphis – Memphis pulled out the double overtime thriller yesterday thanks to the Barton boys. Antonio was on fire from downtown and Will played a solid all around game. The problem for Memphis is they are playing a team that runs a disciplined offense similar to Michigan in this one. We saw that they are prone to giving up easy baskets when they have to stay focused on defense for 35 seconds. Georgetown is athletic enough to hang with Memphis on the defensive end. Memphis cant exploit Georgetown’s biggest weakness which is its front line. Memphis wont shoot 67% from 3 point land again and Georgetown gets enough easy baskets to pull this one off.
3rd Place Game
Michigan over UCLA – UCLA showed yesterday why it was the most overrated preseason team. Even with Reeves Nelson back the game was over by halftime. Michigan on the other hand played pretty well yesterday. They just came up on the wrong side of the free throw battle, which most Duke opponents do. I see this being a slow paced low scoring game and UCLA should be able to keep it close enough to look respectable.
Championship Game
Kansas over Duke – In my mind their are two keys to this game.
1. Can the Kansas backcourt neutralize the Duke guards?
I think they can. I expect Tyshawn Taylor to come up big in this game and Elijah Johnson has been playing really well in this tournament.
2. Can the Duke front line neutralize Thomas Robinson?
I saw Robinson play against the Plumlee’s in a camp over the summer and based on that I dont think they can. Unless Ryan Kelly is the answer, which he is not, then Robinson should have his way for the third time in this tournament.
I see Kansas pulling out the battle of the clear two best teams in the tournament.