[ad_1]
San Diego State is one of the few teams that has the size to disrupt UConn’s passing lanes, which would limit the Huskies’ effectiveness in those sets. Aztecs senior 6-foot-9 forward Jaedon Ledee is arguably the most improved player in the country. He’s averaging a career-high 21.5 points while shooting 56.4 percent from the field.
Ledee is excellent at drawing contact, ranking fifth in the country in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (7.7), according to KenPom. Among players remaining in the NCAA Tournament, only Purdue’s Zach Edey has a higher free-throw rate.
In its three losses, UConn has committed 18.3 fouls per game, up from its season average of 16.2 fouls per game.
North Carolina Tar Heels (29-7, 17-3 in ACC)
VS. 4 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (23-11, 13-5 in SEC) | Thurs., 9:39 p.m. ET
Alabama’s breakneck offensive pace could wear down a North Carolina team that doesn’t utilize a deep bench. The Tide are fourth in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency (125.1) with an average possession length that ranks third-fastest (14.5 seconds).
The Tar Heels have a massive statistical advantage on the defensive end, but that could be wiped out if guard Mark Sears, who is averaging 28 points through the first two rounds, keeps his hot hand. Alabama also ratcheted up its defensive intensity in its 72-61 Round of 32 win over Grand Canyon, allowing its fewest points since Jan. 9.
Purdue Boilermakers (31-4, 17-3 in Big Ten)
VS. 5 GONZAGA BULLDOGS (27-7, 14-2 in WCC) | Fri., 7:39 p.m. ET
Gonzaga reminded everyone that, despite not having a national championship to its name, it plays some of its best basketball in March. The Bulldogs put on a second-half clinic against Kansas in the second round.
Gonzaga ranks seventh in offensive efficiency and is led on that end by forward Graham Ike, who averages 16.4 points on a 61.2 field goal percentage.
Purdue leads the country in three-point shooting (40.9 percent), but Gonzaga only allows a 33.3 percent success rate on attempts beyond the arc. Per EvanMiya.com, whichever team has the advantage in that stat could determine the game’s outcome. When Purdue makes at least 36.4 percent of its three-pointers, it has a 75-9 record since the start of the 2019-20 season. When it fails to reach the 36.4 percent mark, Purdue is just 48-34.
Houston Cougars (32-4, 15-3 in Big 12)
VS. 4 DUKE BLUE DEVILS (26-8, 15-5 in ACC) | Fri., 9:39 p.m. ET
Can Duke avoid turnovers? If so, the Blue Devils have an excellent chance of pulling off the upset. Houston’s defense has the country’s third-highest turnover rate (24.4 percent), while Duke doesn’t turn the ball over often, ranking 23rd in offensive turnover rate (14.2 percent).
The Cougars don’t shoot the ball particularly well, and Duke matches up well with them in the half-court, which makes it imperative for Houston to create turnovers and get easy buckets in transition.
[ad_2]
