Prediction Record: 72-36
Virginia Tech at Duke- The ACC opens Sunday night with a match-up between a probable bubble team and a probable #1 seed. Duke has had quality wins against Memphis and Indiana, and will contend for a national title. JJ Redick and Shelden Williams are the best inside-outside combo in the country, while the freshman duo of Greg Paulus and Josh McRoberts has been solid. Virginia Tech has been inconsistent, but will likely contend for an NCAA berth. The Hokies have one of the better trios around in guards Jamon Gordon and Zabian Dowdell and post player Coleman Collins. Forward Deron Washington averages over 14 a game. Prediction: Duke by 13
Gonzaga at Washington- This is likely going to be the second best game of the weekend (besides Oklahoma-Villanova). The shootout in the West will be a battle of dominant frontcourts and solid backcourts, each with an extremely good guard. Gonzaga has been one of the five best teams in the country so far this season, with wins over Maryland and Michigan State. Adam Morrison has solidified himself as possibly the best player in the nation, averaging 27 points per game. Post player JP Batista has been nearly impossible to stop down low, going for 21 and 9 a contest. Sean Mallon is a solid forward. In the backcourt, Derek Raivio is vastly underrated on a national level. He is an outstanding long-range shooter that controls a game very well. Jeremy Pargo leads a host of decent perimeter players for the Zags. Washington is not going to fall off as much as people think out in the Pac-10. Five players average double figures in points, and ten players average at least 13 minutes per game. The Huskies are led by their frontcourt trio of forwards Bobby Jones, Jamaal Williams, and freshman Jon Brockman. Jones is an outstanding defender that is very versatile; Williams is a bull down low; and Brockman has been possibly the most impressive freshman in the country so far. Brandon Roy is one of the best all-around guards in the nation. He is a good scorer and passer on offense, rebounds well, and racks up steals and blocks. Ryan Appleby is an excellent three-point shooter that can score. Washington has numerous options in both the backcourt and frontcourt, including point guard Justin Dentmon, who is averaging 5 assists per game. Too bad this game won’t be televised nationally. It should be a great one. Prediction: Gonzaga by 4
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