Previewing the UNC/Texas A&M and Nevada/Cincinnati Second Round Games

We’re onto the Round of 32 and the scheduling gets weird here. You have two games pretty much stand on their own to start us off and then from 5-8:00 it’s multi-screen time and keeping up with numerous games at once. So with that in mind I’ll be changing up how I do the previews. I’ll do the first one standing alone and then break it up to either 2 or 4 games at a time. 

No. 2 North Carolina vs No. 7 Texas A&M – 5:15 pm, CBS
Line: North Carolina -7.5

We have an ultimate contrast here. Texas A&M has roughly 1 guard while UNC has roughly 1 post player. Roy Williams has adapted the small ball lineup, especially when running Luke Maye at the five and Cam Johnson at the four. That lineup is absolutely prolific offensively as they can spread you out, have five guys that can shoot and more importantly it lets Theo Pinson operate in the high post and attack that way. However, when this lineup is on the floor they are vulnerable defensively, especially in the lane. That’s where Texas A&M wants to beat you.They want ot get the ball to Robert Williams and Tyler Davis and let them operate in the post. If they are able to get the ball to them early and let them finish at the rim, you may see Brooks/Manley play more than normal. Texas A&M has been running a zone lately, especially with the lack of depth at the guard position. If that happens, we’ve seen what Pinson can do against the zone. He’s excellent at flashing high post and being a playmaker from there. At the same time, they’ll have Maye run baseline to keep that occupied and surround Pinson with 4 shooters.
Bracket pick: UNC
ATS pick: Texas A&M

No. 2 Cincinnati vs No. 7 Nevada – 6:10 pm, TNT
Line: Cincinnati -8.5

It’s a shame Nevada isn’t at full strength for this game and the tournament. They have all the tools to be a Sweet 16 team, but without Lindsey Drew, a banged up Jordan Caroline and Kendall Stephens this isn’t a great matchup for them. Cincinnati will beat you up on the defensive side of the ball and their bigs in Clark and Washington are mobile enough to get out and guard on the perimeter – Clark especially. Nevada wants to space you out and run the NBA style space and pace offense that we’ve seen Musselman use during his time at the collegiate level. The one thing here to watch is if Cincinnati presses can it a) force turnovers and b) recover in time to take away the 3-point line. Cincinnati typically does press in order to force turnovers, unless they are playing Wichita State then it’s to take the ball out of Shamet’s hands. On the other side, Cincinnati should dominate Nevada on the offensive glass. Gary Clark and Kyle Washington can create free points and extra possessions here. The Bearcats are an excellent offensive rebounding team while Nevada ranks 203rd in defensive rebounding percentage.
Bracket pick: Cincinnati
ATS pick: Nevada