Games #37-#38. Back at MSG for the Preseason NIT consolation game and finals.
VCU really needs this win against UCLA. The Rams don’t have much else on their schedule that can be considered a quality victory outside of conference play. They do get Richmond, but will the Spiders be good enough to be a marquee win for this team? It will be interesting to see if Joey Rodriguez, who reinjured his ankled on Wednesday, will be available. He could really have a day against a backcourt that is not as athletic as Tennessee’s. For the Bruins, this is a chance to avoid embarrassment. This program has fallen a long way from the one that made three straight Final Fours. Beating VCU would be a good win, which is not a good sign for the Bruin program.
Villanova and Tennessee, which tips of at the awkward time of 5 pm, is the marquee matchup. The Wildcats actually match up well with the Vols. They have a backcourt that is just as athletic as Tennessee’s (although the Vols are a bit bigger), they can play with size on the perimeter, and they have a couple of big bodies in the paint. As I see it, the key to the game will be in the paint. Which frontcourt will assert themselves? Who wins an intriguing matchup between Brian Williams and Mouph Yarou? I am also interested to see who rises to the occasion. Will Corey Fisher find his shooting touch? Will Scotty Hopson attack the basket or settle for jumpers? This will be a fun one to watch.