Sweet Sixteen: Questions without Answers...yet (Part I)

Upcoming will be two days and four posts.

You might hear more from me - or Pay - otherwise; however, I'm going to ride my tournament momentum and address a few issues on the upcoming weekend of regional semi-finals and finals.

Midwest = Mid-day Monday (aka BELOW)
West = Late Monday

East = Early Tuesday
South = Mid-to-late Tuesday

Midwest Region:
#9 Northern Iowa vs. #5 Michigan State

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Northern Iowa QUESTION: Michigan State is battle tested. While Kalin Lucas' health is far from stable, that can't matter to the Panthers. Question is: how do the Panthers avoid a slow start, in both halves, and get this game closer to being in the 70s than the 50s?


Northern Iowa X-FACTOR: This team is ridiculously well-coached. They value possessions, aren't intimidated by the number of All-Americans on another roster, and have the STONES necessary to make clutch shots. They won't underestimate the Spartans. Count on it.

Panther I'm Watching: Ali Farokhmanesh. Aka STONES. As if there was any doubt, right? If you want to become the next Stephen Curry, a letdown can't occur here. Early shots may go in or out, but it's play down the stretch that will determine if his name becomes one of second-weekend folklore or another first-rounder who only gets 15 minutes of fame.

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Michigan State QUESTION: With Kalin Lucas likely OUT and Chris Allen relegated to going 4 minutes due to injury against Maryland; question is, does Michigan State have enough scoring power for 40 minutes of basketball?

Michigan State X-FACTOR: I know it seems repetitive, but one of the reasons I picked Michigan State to BEAT Kansas (and will Northern Iowa, I think) is Tom Izzo. Players have to execute, and Izzo may be the best pure coach left in the field. In 15 years at East Lansing, Izzo has a national championship (200) and is one away from a half-dozen Final Four appearances. He will have his team prepared and pumped, regardless of who is on the roster. Michigan State converted on a late possession due to the talent of their players and the preparation done by their coach. Key word, as always, for Izzo: focus.

Spartan I'm Watching: While plenty of eyes will (justifably) be on PG Korie Lucious, I'm going to watch and see how Raymar Morgan, a frontcourt senior, handles a lot of big bodies and attention in the paint. If he can attack the glass, while staying out of foul trouble, Sparty has a much better chance to punch their ticket to the Elite Eight.

#6 Tennessee vs. #2 Ohio State

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Tennessee QUESTION: A lot of people easily dismissed the Vols several times this season. Myself included. After the dismissal of star Tyler Smith, it was way too easy not to do so. Even if they beat Kansas and Kentucky (both at home), they also suffered losses to Georgia and USC. Nevertheless, Bruce Pearl has the Vols in the Sweet Sixteen for the third time in four years. Question is: can the Vols finally break through to the Elite Eight after previous letdowns?

Tennessee X-FACTOR: Statistically speaking, the box scores from the Vols' first 2 games don't leave much to be desired. They didn't shoot lights out, take care of the ball particularly well, hit a ton of 3s, or dominate the boards. Nevertheless, they go 10, and sometimes 11, deep. Can the Vols use their depth to pluck a primary scorer or defender to give the Buckeyes fits?

Volunteer I'm Watching: I've been talking about Wayne Chism for years, so I won't stop now. If Tennessee can establish a presence inside, that won't force Hopson or Prince to go basket-for-basket with Evan Turner (who can light up a stat sheet). Chism must avoid chippy fouls and convert inside 8-feet. Easier said then done for the inconsistent senior.

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Ohio State QUESTION: Evan Turner is the heart and soul of this team. Duh. Even when he's not at his best making shots, he can pick apart opponents by drawing double teams (or more) and rebounding the ball extremely well at his position. Question is: how good can Ohio State be in this tournament when Turner puts everything together?

Ohio State X-FACTOR: Thad Matta is a proven postseason entity. Bruce Pearl is as well...but to a lesser extent. Pearl has done the best job of his career (thanks for the insight, Pay) this season. The same might be said for Matta. While he's reached a National Championship before, he's balanced riding a star player (Turner), who was injured for 2 loooong weeks, and helped develop considerable talent alongside him. If you had Ohio State contending for a national championship back in late 2009, you're smarter than I am.

Buckeye I'm Watching: Jon Diebler shoots 3s. A lot of them. He also shoots 3s a LOT better at home than he does on the road or at neutral locations. Against UCSB he was lights out (7-12), despite being under the weather. Against Georgia Tech he was an admirable 4-10. If he can find a similar touch - that is, over 40% - and is able to hit 5+ shots from behind the arc, it will open up massive lanes for Evan Turner and David Leighty, causing havoc on the Tennessee interrior defense.

See you all later tonight for the West regional...

5 Things You Might Not See Coming for Ohio State/USC

You can go anywhere - maybe outside of the local beauty salon - to gather analysis, insights, a few too many predictions on the top 5 matchup pitting the Buckeyes against the Trojans.

Not that I’ve been hanging around any beauty salons or anything.

…

Nevertheless, the title of this particular post says it all. Let’s take a look at 5 “things” you might not have considered before; yet might be vital to the game’s outcome.

In case you haven't heard, Chris "Beanie" Wells has been ruled OUT of tonight's game. Dang.

Credit: LATimes.com

1) A 3-headed platoon isn’t better than having a SUPERSTAR RB
No more than 9 carries per back, 5+ yards a carry average for each, 200+ total yards, and plenty of contrasting styles for the three USC runners (Johnson, McKnight, & Gable) against the Wahoos two weekends ago. That’s all and good, but when the big carries come…I don’t want to depend on who’s the hottest or who seems the “best” that day against the opponent. A dynamic playmaking running back never has to platoon with two other guys. USC doesn’t have a SUPERSTAR back.

2) Backup QBs MATTER
Mark Sanchez looked Heisman-good two weeks ago against UVA. Enter dynamic CB Malcolm Jenkins and an impressive veteran Buckeye defense and things might not be as easy. Even more pressing is who the Trojan backup QB is (is it Corp or Mustain?). As for the Buckeyes, impact recruit Terrelle Pryor might need a Tebow-like impact as the #2 QB if the Buckeyes can pull off the upset.

3) The Return Game of Southern Cal
It should come as no surprise to learn the Buckeyes have an elite special teams unit, especially in the kicking game. As for the Trojans, McKnight has solid ability in the return game – but I see him as a tackle-breaker over a takle-avoider – and I still wonder if USC’s kicker (Buehler, Buehler, Buehler) has the stones to nail a game-winning kick.

4) The “other” Buckeye RB named Wells
Sorry ESPN, Maurice Wells won’t be the guy to replace the now ruled out Chris “Beanie” Wells. Instead, the Buckeyes require a trio platoon of their own to perform (including the aforementioned Wells & Herron/Saine). While even Beanie wouldn’t run wild against an amazingly speedy Trojan defense, the Heisman-hopeful RB (at least three weeks ago he was) will be sorely missed for his ability to run in between the guard/tackle AND around the outside corner. Second-level speed is a MUST have for an opponent of the Trojans. Already limited with that at wideout, do the Buckeyes have the team speed to get outside or through the seems and outrun Trojan defenders downfield? I’m a little worried they don’t. Similar thoughts concerned the Buckeyes against the Gators and Tigers in the past two BCS title games.

5) Legacies
Everyone believes USC is the dominant program in the new millennium; however, the Buckeyes are within 2 total losses, 1 national championship, and a couple Heisman winners behind. Jim Tressel and his team are far from intimidated by anything the Trojans have to offer. Even playing in the Rose Bowl. That won't be the reason this game is won or lost. It's a little silly to think otherwise honestly.


MY prediction: USC wins 37-23
“If Beanie had Played”: USC wins 37-23


We’ll check back in here or there with some Saturday reactions, especially to this showdown of juggernauts. Even sans-Wells, perhaps we can have ourselves an epic-September matchup.

Until kickoff…

5 Games I’m Looking Forward to this Weekend

No need to banter, so let’s rant instead!
Just kidding…here they are.

…in all fairness there was a pretty stellar matchup on Friday night between Kansas & South Florida…

CHECK OUT the latest PHSports Top 10 Power Rankings HERE!!!

#2 Georgia @ South Carolina
Ole’ Ball Coach needs to pull off a memorable upset, especially after last week’s meltdown against the Commodores. Not likely to happen with Moreno more than rested and Stafford ready to light up a shaky Gamecock secondary.

#17 Penn State @ Syracuse
Seriously, Clement? You pick this game? It’s sad that a school who produced the likes of Ernie Davis, Jim Brown, Larry Csonka, Art Monk, Marvin Harrison, Donovan McNabb, and Dwight Freeney has fallen so low. Back-to-back losses to Northwestern & Akron (by a combined 34 points) prove we are the saddest BCS-team in the country (sorry Notre Dame). Such a shame.

Georgia Tech @ Virginia Tech
ACC supremacy isn’t what it used to be; however, Hokie fans might be looking for a ledge to walk off of if they lose their true home-opener (sorry Furman) against the Yellow Jackets.

#5 Ohio State @ #1 USC
What more can I say? Plenty. See you around 5pm right here!!!

#10 Wisconsin @ #21 Fresno State Sleeper game of the week. Wisconsin’s offense will need to effectively run AND pass the ball to keep up with an impressive offensive attack from the totally-under-the-radar Bulldogs.

Am I going chalk? You got it dude.
It’s college football, remember!

Credit: BrewCrewBall

See you this afternoon/evening for plenty of OSU/USC talk.

Until then…

PHSports College Football Top 10: 1st Week of September

Under the radar is the best way to describe the past weekend in college football. That is, unless you cheer for a certain team from Morgantown.

It should come as no surprise though that the past weekend was quiet, despite a majority of the top 25 playing, when you consider it was opening weekend for an upstart organization named the NFL.

After speaking with the “higher-ups” at PHSports, I’m glad to announce that our top 10 version of our “power rankings” will be out each and every Saturday morning.

I’m waiting for you to exhale now.

Let’s not forget it allows those oh-so-interesting Thursday night matchups to get the tiniest bit of reflection!

For example…UNC’s uniforms stunk. However, they spanked Rutgers from the second quarter on BIG TIME.

As for the rankings, let’s get to it!

..starting at the bottom...

10. Texas Longhorns
Colt McCoy is healthy, Texas is completely under the radar in a loaded Big XII, and yet they still have to travel to Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Kansas. I’ll try not to look ahead too much though. Yeah, sure.
Next Up: (Tropical Storm) Ike has delayed a not-so-intriguing matchup with a highly underachieving Arkansas squad..

9. Wisconsin Badgers
Trailing early 14-0 to Marshall, I wondered if I’d be snake bitten by propping the Badgers up too early in the season? 51 unanswered points later and the Badgers showed they can air it out almost as well as they can run it. Against Marshall, at least.
Next Up: An interesting trip to Fresno State to take on (did you know they were ranked?) Bulldogs of the West Coast today.

8. Texas Tech Red Raiders
One of the reasons I have the Red Raiders in my top 10 is because Pay is correctly critical of their “defense”. However, I’m a little excited to see that the Red Raider D only gave up 19 points to a talented Wolfpack offense.
Next Up: Cupcakes continue for Harrell, Crabtree, and company with SMU in Lubbock today.

7. Florida Gators
The Gators shut down the Cannes by 23 and I drop them two spots? Yep. While Urban Meyer’s crew didn’t do anything wrong, I wasn’t crazy about their first-half performance. I also have a lot of positive things to say about the two teams who leapfrogged the Gators.
Next Up: Tennessee hosts the Gators in a rivalry game that might deserve a few of these “”””” next weekend”.

6. LSU Tigers
Gustav caused a cancellation of their game against Troy; however, it looks like the matchup with North Texas this weekend is…on. Eyes have to be leering ahead to their matchup with Auburn (yes, another Tigers of the SEC) later this month. Can anyone say showdown?
Next Up: North Texas visits the Bayou in primetime tonight. Ouch.

5. Oklahoma Sooners
Props to Stoops and company for playing BCS-conference opponents early on, even if they are middle-of-the-pack squads (Cincy, Washington, & TCU). It will only help when the meat and potatoes of their (Big XII) schedule shows up.
Next Up: Washington and Ty Willingham host the Sooners on “Saturday the 13th”.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes
I won’t put any stock into last week’s game against the Bobcats. Why you ask? The team was missing a key ingredient (Beanie Wells), was obviously looking forward to USC (who can blame them), and was due for a letdown early in the year. That’s your one excuse for the year Buckeye fans. Enjoy it.
Next Up: Traveling to USC in the “Game of the Year” thus far. Ohio State could be an 11-1 team playing in the Rose Bowl again in January, unless they lost by 20-30+.

3. Missouri Tigers
Alright, I got axed for my WVU love. Nevertheless, I’m sticking by my Tigers. They put points on the board, have a QB full of moxy, and I love how they can score on all three sides of the ball.
Next Up: The aforementioned Wolfpack of Nevada tackles another top 10 team, traveling to Missouri this afternoon.

2. Georgia Bulldogs
They’re likely to stick at #2, depending on who winds up victorious in the USC/Ohio State matchup. Don’t pity the Bulldogs though as they’re likely to beat up on the Ole’ Ball Coach and the Gamecocks this weekend. This team is fired up and knows a trip to Arizona State and hosting the Crimson Tide awaits the next two weeks.
Next Up: Spurrier might need to do more than apologize after the Dawgs leave Saturday afternoon.

1. USC Trojans
They had the week off and they’re still amazing. The line against the Buckeyes is 10 ½ and might grow before the end of the week. What an amazing September showdown that should be.
Next Up: Please don’t make me repeat myself.


Dropped Out: West Virginia (ECU is good…but not that good.)
Inserted: Texas (It might be a mistake to underestimate a healthy Colt McCoy and the Longhorns.)
On the Fringe: Auburn, Kansas, Arizona State, Alabama, and BYU

Check out my “5 Games I’m Targeting” early Saturday morning(ish).

Until next rankings…