Let me start by saying this. I love this Drexel team. They are pretty long and have a lot to prove. Last year I think they were the biggest let down in college basketball.
With that said, I don't like this match up for Drexel. Arizona is going to be a lot bigger in the paint and I think that is going to be a key to the game, but not the only one. Drexel top scorer Fouch is going to have a tough time tonight. He will be defended by one of the best defenders in college basketball in my opinion in McConnell. McConnell didn't play last year because of transfer rules, but when he played at Duquesne he was third in the nation in steals per game (2.8). This will be the best defender Fouch has faced this year. Yes he is experienced but McConnell is that good of a defender.
As stated above with the size difference in the paint Drexel is going to have to crash and really focus. This will limit their fast break opportunities. Arizona should win the boards by a pretty decent amount, leading to extra opportunities which is something you do not want to give this Arizona team. They are shooting 54% from the field and 42% from the perimeter. The worry on the offensive side of the ball for Arizona is their FT%. They are only shooting 64% but the good news is the big man in the middle Tarczewski is shooting 82%. Drexel cant try to bail themselves out by fouling down low.
Given those statistics and the height disadvantage Drexel is going to struggle on defense. Do they run a zone and allow Arizona to shoot all over them or do they run a man to man and have size mismatches down low.
I didn't even get into a lot about Arizona on the offensive side of the ball. Nick Johnson is explosive as any guard in the country and paired with McConnell this is a dangerous backcourt. Then to come in for them you have York who is lights our from the perimeter and Mayes can play SG who is very experienced. You have Gordon on of the top freshman in the country, enough said. Then we will start Ashley or Hollis-Jefferson (McDonalds All American). Either or is fine. Ashley helps extend the defense because he is a threat from deep, and I prefer he starts. If he starts Arizona has a McD All American off the bench. Then you get down low to the 7 footer Tarczewski. He has gotten a lot better from last year and was discussed above.
I have the cats at -10 and -11
Also like:
Cal PK
LA Tech -6.5
Hot Forum Topics
