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NCAA Tournament Predictions: East Region 6. Cincinnati vs. 11. Texas
- Updated: March 12, 2012
By: Kels Dayton
Cashmere Wright (Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
6 Cincinnati (24-10, 12-6 Big East)- The Bearcats made a great run through the Big East tournament, knocking off Georgetown and Syracuse before losing to Louisville in the final. Cincinnati has four players who average in double figures in scoring, including leading scorer Sean Kilpatrick (14.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.4 apg).
Junior guard Cashmere Wright was terrific in the Big East tournament, and may be the go-to-guy if the Bearcats need a big shot coming down the stretch.
The Bearcats are a tough, scrappy defensive team, and take on the personality of their might-mite coach, Mick Cronin. Senior forward Yancy Gates is a 6-9, 260-pound bruiser who will play in the NBA. Gates averaged 12.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game this season. He gives UC the punch inside to deal with Texas, and St. Bonaventure or Florida State in the next round.
KEY STATS:
33rd Points Allowed per game (61.2)
86th Rebounds per game (36.2)
248th Field Goal Percentage (42.0)
Team stats courtesy of www.statsheet.com
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11 Texas (20-13, 9-9 Big Twelve)- The Longhorns weren’t much more than a mediocre team for most of the season, and probably weren’t an NCAA team until they defeated Iowa State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament.
Guard J'Covan Brown (AP Photo)
Talented junior guard J’Covan Brown leads the ‘Horns with 20.1 points per game. Brown is a tough, quick guard who can penetrate and get into the lane at will.
This isn’t a vintage Texas team, and it would be surprising to see the Longhorns make a deep NCAA run. Still, if Brown and guard Sheldon McClellan (11.3 ppg, 3.3 apg) can find a groove, the ‘Horns will be a tough out.
KEY STATS:
55th Points per game (73.1)
21st Strength of Schedule
56th Assists per game (11.0)
Team stats courtesy of www.statsheet.com
PREDICTION: Cincinnati
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