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Round 2 Matchups

 

1 Stanford vs. 9 St. Joseph's A lot of people will be watching this game for an upset, as Stanford has been upset in the second round, by an 8-seed and a 10-seed, the last two years.  This year, the Cardinal look focused and as impressive as any other team in the nation. Upset probability:  22% Stanford 83, St. Joseph's 69 Stanford Cardinal Team Web Site Record:  28-2 Conference:  Pac-10 Rank:  1 (AP)  / 2 (RPI) Strength of Schedule:  37 Our Odds:  7:1 Record vs. RPI Top 75:  10-2 We Say:   Believe, people.  While the Pac-10 has been much-maligned in recent years, this year not a single team from the conference was sub-.500 out of conference.  And this Stanford team has it all - height and chemistry at the forward and center position, solid play from guard Mike McDonald, guys who can shoot the lights out, a strong defense, and depth.  Anything short of the Final Four would be a huge disappointment. Record vs. Tourney Teams:  9-2 Hot Factor:  10 -  With guys like Ryan Mendez, Casey Jacobsen, and the 6'10" Collins twins from North Hollywood, you could see why they're one of the hottest teams in the tourney. St. Joseph's Hawks Team Web Site Record: 25-6   Conference:  Atlantic 10 Rank:   (AP)  / 36 (RPI) Strength of Schedule: 120 Our Odds:  125:1 Record vs. RPI Top 75: 8-4 We Say:  The Hawks have the look of a team that peaked too early.  Before losing to two non-tournament teams in the last 10 days, they had won 10 in a row.   Record vs. Tourney Teams:  4-1 Hot Factor:  3 - Freshman Guard Tyrone Barley and Junior Forward Damien Reid give us something to watch, but Alexandre Sazonov's hair leaves much to be desired.

 

5 Cincinnati vs. 13 Kent State Cincinnati was impressive in its win over BYU.  This game should be no different.  The Bearcats are peaking at the right time and simply won't be upset in this game. Upset probability: 19% Cincinnati 74, Kent State 64 Cincinnati Bearcats Team Web Site Record:  23-9  Conference:  Conference USA Rank:  NR  (AP)  /  31 (RPI) Strength of Schedule:   63 Our Odds:  80:1 Record vs. RPI Top 75:  5-4 We Say:  After a rough January, the Bearcats have gone 9-2.  Despite a loss to Charlotte in the C-USA Championship, Cincinnati is improving each game and peaking now.  Guard Steve Logan can control, and win, games - a key to tournament success.  The 'Cats don't play with a lot of size. Record vs. Tourney Teams:  2-4 Hot Factor: 2 - Yikes.  Well, at least they play well together.  If we had to pick one guy to watch, it would be Leonard Stokes - but that isn't saying much. Kent State Golden Flashes Team Web Site Record:   22-9 Conference:  MAC Rank:   NR  (AP)  /  93 (RPI)  Strength of Schedule:  183 Our Odds:  250:1 Record vs. RPI Top 75:  1-1  We Say:   One thing the Flashes have is experience.  All of their starters are upper classmen who went to the Tournament in 1999 and won two games in the NIT last year.  What they lack, though, is size with no starter over 6'6".  Trevor Huffman is the key to the offense of this team, leading them in points and assists. Record vs. Tourney Teams:  0-2 Hot Factor:  3 - Sorry guys, but there's not much here.  Bryan Bedford and Matt Smriga are probably the best.

3 Maryland vs. 11 Georgia State Well, it's the match-up we all waited for.  Now, The Terps' former coach will play his old team.  And you know what?  He just might pull off the upset. Upset probability:  53% Georgia State 69, Maryland 65   Maryland Terrapins (Terps) Team Web Site Record:  Conference:  ACC Rank:  11 (AP)  / 22 (RPI) Strength of Schedule: 21 Our Odds:  - Record vs. RPI Top 75:  7-9 We Say:  Maryland is going to be one of the darlings in the media's selections for the Final Four.  But, this team has a big problem:  it peaked to early.  After beating five Top 40 teams in the last month, they lost to a very good Duke team in the ACC Championship.  And, while this team is talented enough to win games, they won't win a Championship. Record vs. Tourney Teams:  7-8 Hot Factor:  2 -At least they tend to score a lot of points.  Sophomore Steve Blake looks like a 20-year-old Frankie Muniz.   Georgia State Panthers Team Web Site Record:   28-4 Conference:  TAAC Rank:   33  (AP)  /  37 (RPI)  Strength of Schedule:  143 Our Odds:  175:1 Record vs. RPI Top 75:  2-1  We Say:   The first team to get a bid by beating Troy State in the TAAC Championship.  This is only the school's second tournament appearance.  They're a mature team with 10 upperclassmen.  They live and die by the three - and, for the most part, they live by it, averaging 81 points per game and shooting 36% from beyond the arc. Record vs. Tourney Teams:  3-1  Hot Factor: 4 - Thomas Terrell and Donnie Davis offer the best prospects on this team.  Plus, check out the tattoo on Kevin Morris' arm.

 

10 Georgetown vs. 15 Hampton Georgetown could not be happier in the second round, having to play a team that was lucky to be in the tournament, let alone in the second round.  Georgetown overmatches them in nearly every category.  Their size will simply be too much for the Pirates to handle.   Upset probability:  14% Georgetown 80, Hampton 68 Georgetown Hoyas Team Web Site Record:  23-7 Conference:  Big East Rank:  18 (AP)  / 42 (RPI) Strength of Schedule: 105 Our Odds: 100:1 Record vs. RPI Top 75: 8-7 We Say:  The Hoyas are one of the great wildcards of this tournament.  On paper, they have everything you want:  tall frontcourt (five guys over 6'8"), deep bench, and an execution-oriented offense (six guys shoot over 45%).  But, why did they go just 5-3 in February?  With the slump (hopefully) behind them, the Hoyas could be looking as deep as the Final Four or a first round loss.   Record vs. Tourney Teams:  2-3 Hot Factor:  5 - It's hard to get to excited about one of the more average-looking teams in the country.  But, Gharun Hester is certainly a standout.    Hampton Pirates Team Web Site Record:   24-6 Conference:  Mid-Eastern (MEAC) Rank:  -  (AP)  /  143 (RPI) Strength of Schedule:  318 Our Odds:  200,000:1  Record vs. RPI Top 75:  0-0  We Say:   The Pirates had the distinction of playing the second easiest schedule of the 319 D.I schools.  They played only one team, Kansas State, ranked in the top 150 RPI.  They lost that game by 15.  Any of the 1-seeds will have a field day with the Pirates. Record vs. Tourney Teams:  0-0 Hot Factor:  6 - The only thing we know is that the team is all African-American.  Other than that, you'd better catch them in the first round, because they won't be around for any longer.