Winthrop +7.0
Thu Mar 16 '06 2:40p
Many were left shaking their heads when the Vols popped up on the screen as the #2 seed in the DC bracket Sunday night, including HC Bruce Pearl who muttered "Holy feces" in astonishment. This high a seeding was definitely an afterthought after the Vols floundered to close out the season. That being said, their opponent will give them all they can handle and more. Winthrop comes into this match-up very battle tested, and will no doubt be playing with loads of confidence after playing the likes of Auburn, Alabama, Memphis, S. Carolina, and Marquette. They beat HC Tom Crean's club SU earlier this year, and had both Alabama and Auburn on the ropes before falling by three and two points respectively. HC Coach Gregg Marshall said he would like his team's chances against any of those on a neutral court after falling at Memphis. Well, ask and you shall receive. The Eagles are a veteran club that plays solid defense and cleans the glass well. They gave Gonzaga a major run for the first 35 minutes of their 1st round game a year ago, and I expect them to give the Vols all they can handle and more this Thursday afternoon.
Texas A&M +1.0
Thu Mar 16 '06 9:30p
You can't help but be impressed with the run the Orange had this past weekend in the BE tourney. Their Cinderella run earned them a bid in the big dance when many had them penciled in the NIT before they tipped off with the Bearcats Thursday afternoon. Not only are they firmly supplanted in the tourney, but the committee was gracious enough to tab them as a #5 seed. A 5 SEED!!! YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!! This is not the caliber team of a #5 seed, and I don't think their miraculous run in the BE tourney has all of a sudden transformed them into one. The Aggies closed out their regular season campaign winning 8 of its L/10 games SU with both losses versus Texas. HC Billy Gillespie has done an excellent job transforming this group into a competitive unit, and one that will challenge for the Big 12 Title in the coming years. They only went 5-6 SU on the road this year, but covered the number eight of the 11 times. Cuse got the benefit of a pro-orange crowd in the MSG; otherwise known as Cuse's second home for the BE tourney. That won't be the case down in Jacksonville, and I really foresee Cuse's youngsters getting rattled by the stifling "D" the Aggies come at you with on every possession. It was a treat to see Gerry Mac's run this past weekend, but it all comes to an end down in Jacksonville. Aggies move on!!!
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