NCAA TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS THREAD - arizona state

Best college basketball program ever - 76
Scum devils                                     - 64

It is with great pride that I create my 34th prediction thread of the season! Congrats guys! You deserve it!

Chris Mullin outcoaches the Puke scum and his entire overrated coaching family to a decisive victory.  Chris and Terence get into an altercation with Bobby and Danny in the catacombs of the University of Dayton arena and kick their a$$ tag team style.

Every time I think I have St. John's figured out, they go the other way.  This is my George Costanza against my instinct pick, because I think they got pretty lucky to get in and have been freefalling, which means they'll win this one, get us all feeling good, then drop the game against Buffalo, potentially in a rout.

St. John's 74
Arizona State 70


Can't see them beating Buffalo but this is a better way to end a season versus getting dismantled by Marquette and an NIT bid, win or loss here.

Some concerning things about ASU in regards to us:

- They are a very good offensive rebounding team
- They get fouled and go to the free line a ton. I mean a ton. We need to stay out of foul trouble.

Positives for us:

- They don't shoot a lot of 3s
- They give up a ton of 3s
- They foul a lot

Both teams are incredibly inconsistent from game to game. This year Arizona State went from losing to Vanderbilt to beating Kansas to losing to Princeton in 3 straight games. They also lost to Washington State by 21 at home and followed it up with a 12 point win over Washington.

That's all I got.

Some concerning things about ASU in regards to us:

- They are a very good offensive rebounding team
- They get fouled and go to the free line a ton. I mean a ton. We need to stay out of foul trouble.

Positives for us:

- They don't shoot a lot of 3s
- They give up a ton of 3s
- They foul a lot

Both teams are incredibly inconsistent from game to game. This year Arizona State went from losing to Vanderbilt to beating Kansas to losing to Princeton in 3 straight games. They also lost to Washington State by 21 at home and followed it up with a 12 point win over Washington.

That's all I got.

It should be a very interesting game ... we average exactly the same amount of points. They rebound more but turn the ball over more, have less steals and shoot on average less than us on both FG and 3FGs.

StJ 78 AS 75

Johnnies 79
AZ 70

We are charged up once again!

ASU- 83
St. John's- 72

If ASU did not have as its strong suit a front line which just so happens to be our weakest point, this prediction would be different. No way we come out of this on top and Hurley is a good coach he will have his guys ready to play. Do not expect them to let up although in the first half we may give them a fight.

These are two flawed, enigmatic teams. It can go any way possible because neither team is deep, both teams get into foul trouble easily, and both look awful when the three isn’t falling. ASU lost to a horrible Washington St. team by 21 on 5-33 shooting from deep. They lost to Oregon by 28 (79-51) just over two weeks ago shooting 3-24 from three.

Keep it respectable on the glass, make the three point shot a weakness for them, turn them over, and win the foul trouble battle.

Whoever gets matched up on Romello White needs to take at him. 3.2 fouls in 24 minutes is crazy.

How are refs announced for these games.

Is there any mental advantage for SJU by having refs that are not BE officials?

How are refs announced for these games.

Is there any mental advantage for SJU by having refs that are not BE officials?

Yes. Mental and actual.

It will be the same old story against St. John's. Hurley will have them get it inside to Cheatham, White and Lake and they will dominate down low.

ASU 81
SJU 74

We're breathing free and clear in the fresh Midwest air of Dayton, away from Big East blood baths and Big East refs. New Season. Fresh start. Playing a team that wants to run with us.
SJ 84, ASU 72.

Romello white was a problem last year.  Assuming Cheatam will give us trouble too.  Like its been all year...if we can turn them over and shoot well we will look like worldbeaters.  If not it will be one and done

Simon and Heron have to attack Romello White. Ponds needs to take it at any big that switches on him.

Every steal and long rebound needs to lead to a fastbreak or secondary transition before they get set.

I want two fouls on White by the 16-minute tv timeout.

If they foul us like they have been doing, it will be a parade to the line for Ponds in the bonus.

Every time I think I have St. John's figured out, they go the other way.  This is my George Costanza against my instinct pick, because I think they got pretty lucky to get in and have been freefalling, which means they'll win this one, get us all feeling good, then drop the game against Buffalo, potentially in a rout.

St. John's 74
Arizona State 70


Can't see them beating Buffalo but this is a better way to end a season versus getting dismantled by Marquette and an NIT bid, win or loss here.

Did you ever in your cotton pickin life think you'd utter the words " can't see them beating Buffalo ".

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaabk/ncaa-tournament-roundtable-final-four-dark-horse-and-upset-picks/ar-BBUVC07?ocid=ientp

What individual player on a team seeded No. 5 or higher is most capable of carrying his team to the second weekend?

MB: It’ll take three wins but give me Shamorie Ponds of St. John’s. The Johnnies barely snuck in the dance via the First Four, but Ponds is a legitimate threat to go for 30 on any given night. St. John’s may not be well-respected in this field, but it’s a talented team. If its best player gets going, who knows what they’re capable of?

Marco Baldi 84
Christian Laettner-81

Simon and Heron have to attack Romello White. Ponds needs to take it at any big that switches on him.

Every steal and long rebound needs to lead to a fastbreak or secondary transition before they get set.

I want two fouls on White by the 16-minute tv timeout.

If they foul us like they have been doing, it will be a parade to the line for Ponds in the bonus.

the game will be won or lost on the line ...

the game will be won or lost on the line ...

Won or lost in the first 5 mins of the game

Won or lost in the first 5 mins of the game

If that, hope we are the ones who blow them out ...

Share the ball, knock down some 3’s and play hard on defense and they will win. I think we win by 8.