March 17, 2006
There are some intriguing matchups in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday. Early on, we saw so much parity in March Madness. Saturday will be another indicator of how competitive these teams are, and I feel we will have a number of dramatic finishes.
Saturday's key games
No. 1 Duke vs. No. 8 George Washington
The Blue Devils did not have their "A" game against Southern. They received dominating performances from Shelden Williams and J.J. Redick, but where was the rest of the team? If Duke is going to beat an athletic George Washington, which didn't quit despite an 18-point deficit to UNC Wilmington, it must get more from the other players.
Karl Hobbs' club, now 27-2, showed why it had a great season. The athleticism of the Colonials certainly will test the Dukies. Coach K needs Greg Paulus, Josh McRoberts and Sean Dockery to make contributions, as well as some jump shots from Lee Melchionni. It can't be a two-man show. Williams will be challenged in the middle by Pops Mensah-Bonsu, a very athletic high-riser.
I feel Duke will find a way to respond and march to its ninth consecutive Sweet 16, easily the longest streak in America.
No. 10 Alabama vs. No. 2 UCLA
Alabama coach Mark Gottfried was on the UCLA bench when the Bruins won the national title in 1995, along with Lorenzo Romar. Now they are running their own programs.
Gottfried has done a phenomenal job with this Alabama team. The Tide have faced a tough schedule and he got his kids to respond despite the injury to Chuck Davis, one of the premier forwards in the SEC.
Jean Felix had the game of his life, hitting 8 of 11 trifectas, finishing with 31 points in the win over Marquette. The Golden Eagles made a great run, but Felix wouldn't let his team lose. Alabama also has an outstanding point guard in Ronald Steele, who can flat-out play. America will start to see what this kid is all about.
Jermareo Davidson gives them strength inside. While the Tide have responded to challenges, do they have enough to hold off the Bruins?
UCLA's guard play has been outstanding and Arron Afflalo and Jordan Farmar did not have to score much in the Bruins' win over Belmont. Ben Howland's ability to get his team to play hard on the defensive end, where the Bruins are allowing under 60 points per game, has been impressive.
This should be a Maalox Masher, going right to the end. It's SEC vs. Pac-10, so pride is at stake, too.
No. 4 Illinois vs. No. 5 Washington
Now I'm talking Big Ten vs. Pac-10. The Illini, challenged by Air Force in the first round, will need big performances from Dee Brown and James Augustine against Romar's Huskies.
I love the winner's mentality that Brown and Augustine display. They were in the championship game a season ago and that experience has to be a big plus.
Washington has a number of athletic players, led by my All-Rolls Royce, first-team member Brandon Roy. All he did against Utah State was hit 11 of 19 shots, scoring 28 big points. Roy is one of the most versatile and complete players in the nation, and will be a matchup that Bruce Weber and his kids have to answer.
The defensive ability of Illinois is going to be a factor. I feel the Illini will march on over Washington in a tight one.
No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 6 Indiana
The Hoosiers had to battle back to get to the winner's circle against Steve Fisher's tough San Diego State Aztecs. It looked like Indiana was in big trouble until Robert Vaden hit a big 3.
Mike Davis' squad has to have that trifecta going, plus there must be productivity in the three-second area from Marco Killingsworth. This is going to be an interesting matchup, overshadowed by the presence of Adam Morrison, America's premier forward and a scoring machine. Keep an eye on the battle inside between Killingsworth and Gonzaga's J.P. Batista.
When it is all said and done, I have a funny feeling that Indiana will find a way to win. One key is the competition the Hoosiers faced every night in the Big Ten, as well as a pretty rugged nonconference schedule that included Duke. That gives them a slight edge.
Indiana must do a good job containing Gonzaga's role players. You know Morrison will be Morrison, getting his 25-30 points. It's the guys like Erroll Knight and Derek Raivio that must be contained.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.
