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DID YOU KNOW …
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Talk of No. 6 Xavier’s NCAA exploits is “Tu” much
You already know that the Xavier Musketeers have been successful in the NCAA tournament. They have made consecutive Sweet 16s and two Elite Eights (’04, ’08) in the past seven years. With the emergence of junior point guard Tu Holloway (20.2 ppg, 5.5 apg), who this season took on a shortened version of his childhood nickname, “Tu-Tu,” instead of his given name, Terrell, Xavier is certain in the coming days to be both a bracket and all-name team favorite when making your picks.
KEY FIRST-ROUND MATCHUP
No. 4 Kentucky vs. No. 13 Princeton
These aren’t the scrappy 1996 Tigers, who upended defending national champion UCLA. But they are coached by that team’s point guard, Sydney Johnson, and can shoot (46.5 percent from the field) out of their modified version of the Princeton offense. But — as always with an Ivy League team — the Tigers (25-6) will be outgunned athletically. And Kentucky (25-8), who has a few future NBA players on its roster, is tied for eighth in the nation in field goal percentage defense (39.2 percent).
THE FAVORITE
No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes don’t quite have it all; a thin bench could prove troublesome if they get into foul trouble beyond the first or second round. However, beyond that the Buckeyes have everything: a powerful inside presence (Jared Sullinger), defensive standouts who can also score (Aaron Craft and David Lighty), a 3-point bomber (Jon Diebler) and a smooth-shooting future NBA player (William Buford).
THE CONTENDER
No. 3 Syracuse Orange
Most teams are rising or falling as they claim a spot in the NCAA tournament. The Orange have been there all along and might be underrated, if that’s possible, despite winning six in a row before losing in overtime in the Big East semifinals. The 2-3 zone is as fearsome as ever, and led by swingman Kris Joseph (14.4 ppg), Syracuse has four starters that score in double figures.
ONE AND DONE
No. 9 Villanova Wildcats
The Wildcats got overseeded last year. This year they got overselected after backsliding into the tournament again — this time with five consecutive losses to cancel out their 16-1 start to the year. An underwhelming end to the careers of the two Coreys — Fisher (15.4 ppg) and Stokes (15.0), who both have been banged up — awaits against a dangerous George Mason team.
CINDERELLA
No. 11 Marquette Golden Eagles
Don’t mistake the lowest seed among the 11 Big East teams for having the least chance of getting to the tournament’s second weekend. The offensively gifted Golden Eagles beat West Virginia — seeded six spots higher — in the second round of the Big East tournament and dumped Syracuse during the regular season. If fireplug junior guard Darius Johnson-Odom (15.9 ppg) gets into a rhythm, watch out.
THE EXAMINER PREDICTS …
No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels
The Buckeyes claimed the top overall seed — and got rewarded with sharing its corner of the bracket with the toughest No. 2-4 seeds in the field. That will hurt when it comes to the regional final. Kentucky, after a scare against Princeton, won’t be able to overcome David Lighty, but North Carolina, after running roughshod over LIU, Washington and the Orange, will see Harrison Barnes top Jared Sullinger both in Newark and again in June at the NBA Draft.
