NCAA Tournament Picks & Predictions: Siena vs Louisville
Written March 21, 2009 by Jay Horne
The overall number 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament the Louisville Cardinals took care of Morehead State in the first round 74-54. The Cardinals have now won 11 straight games which resulted in a Big East regular season and Tournament Championship. Louisville will match-up with the 9th seeded Siena Saints this Sunday to determine who moves on to the sweet sixteen. The Saints won the regular season title in the MAAC this year with a solid 16-2 conference record. The 9th seeded Saints were apart of a classic battle in the first round with Ohio State. The game went into overtime and Siena was able to come out on top by a single basket 74-72. The Saints will go after one of the most improbable of upsets in the 2nd round as they attempt to bust everyone’s brackets and take down the number 1 seed Louisville Cardinals. Looking at the NCAA basketball lines for Sunday Louisville is favored by 11 points over Siena.
The Cardinals first round game demonstrated one of their strengths they have displayed all season which is strong defense by holding Morehead State to just 54 points. The Cardinals held opponents to only 61 points per game this season in the high scoring conference of the Big East. Louisville’s defense is expected to be their long term difference maker in March as they are poised to make a strong run in the Tournament. Louisville has been led by their big 3 all season. Terrence Williams, Earl Clark, and Samardo Samuels are all averaging double figures as they continue to lead the streaking Cardinals. The 3 standouts were the only players on the Louisville roster to reach double digit scoring figures in their win over Morehead State and they have became the main trio to the Louisville scoring success especially on the inside. These 3 guys will have to knock down some points against a Siena team that is averaging 78 points per game this year if the defense can not get it done on their end of the court.
This is the second straight year that Siena has advanced past the opening round. Last season the Saints were able to defeat Vanderbilt in the opening round before losing to Villanova falling just short of the sweet sixteen. However, the Saints road to the sweet sixteen this season maybe even tougher as they will have to slay Goliath which is top rated Louisville. The Saints have plenty of unheard talent they have the capability to surprise some people and just maybe seriously contend with the Cardinals. Edwin Ubiles and Kenny Hasbrouck lead the Siena offense in scoring. Both players are posting 14 points per game bringing up the backcourt. On the inside front forwards Alex Franklin is averaging 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. Also, forward Ryan Rossiter is averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds per game as well. These veteran starters will try to prove they have what it takes to keep up with one of the best teams in the country this Sunday.
Louisville’s first half woes continued in the opening round as they only lead no. 16 seed Morehead State by 2 at the half. The Cardinals trailed in both games by 8 points during Big East Tournament play and they can not afford to keep struggling in the first half the further they continue in the Midwest bracket. In their first round game, the Cardinals turned the ball over a good bit. Louisville can not afford to have any similar performances because Siena is a good shooting team that could come out and put the Cardinals down by a good margin. Although the Cardinals have been one of the best 2nd half teams in the nation they still need to come out playing a little better in the first half for the rest of the tournament.
Pick - Siena keeps it within the points. Take Siena +11
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