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NCAA Tournament Predictions: 7. San Diego State vs. 10. Oklahoma
- Updated: March 18, 2013
Forward Jamaal Franklin
7 San Diego State (22-10, 9-7 Mountain West)-The Aztecs have a great coach in Steve Fisher, a tremendous player in 6-5 guard/forward Jamaal Franklin, and a pair of terrific guards in Chase Tapley and Xavier Thames. Franklin is the team’s leading scorer at 16.7 points per game, and also leads the team in rebounds, assists and steals. Incredible.
The Aztecs are limping into the NCAAs, having gone just 8-8 in their last 16 games. Each of their past six losses have come by 10 points or less, including two by one possession. San Diego State is tremendous on defense, holding opponents to 38.8 percent from the floor. Chase Tapley and Xavier Thames are two of the better guards in the Mountain West, and have the experience to lead SDSU to a deep tournament run.
KEY STATS:
18th Field Goal Percentage Defense (38.8)
35th Points Allowed Per Game (60.7)
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Forward Romero Osby (AP)
10. Oklahoma (20-11, 11-7 Big 12)- Lon Kruger has done a fine job in Norman, leading the Sooners back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since Blake Griffin led them to the Elite Eight in 2009. Oklahoma has plenty of senior leadership, with forward Romero Osby leading the way in scoring and rebounding, at 15.8 ppg and 7.0 rpg. Senior guard Steven Pledger is the second-leading scorer at 11.8 ppg.
The Sooners can punish you from the line, having knocked down all 34 of their free throws in a win over Iowa State earlier in the year. That tied an NCAA record. On the year, Oklahoma is shooting 76% from the stripe, which ranks 10th in the nation.
KEY STATS:
10th Free Throw Percentage (.760)
161st Field Goal Percentage (.436)
PREDICTION: San Diego State
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