March 22, 2025

CBB Round 2 - Saturday Games Preview !!

40 minutes

Griffin Warner and Big East Ben break down the second round of the big dance Saturday games. Best Bets as always

🎯 Conclusion: Deep Dive into Tournament Drama

The second round lacked the electrifying upsets of prior years, but hosts Griffin and Ben remained fully engaged, diving into underdog surges (like UNC Wilmington and Drake), Big Ten dominance, and star performances (e.g., Kalkbrenner for Creighton, Graham E.K. for Gonzaga). Multiple games highlighted coaching challenges and team inconsistencies, while bold predictions were made against favorites like Houston and BYU. Best bets included Wisconsin and Michigan, based on matchups and perceived advantages in athleticism and game prep. Tensions around McNeese coach Will Wade’s pending departure added a storyline twist.

📌 Key Points

🎯 McNeese vs. Clemson: Clemson struggled offensively; McNeese’s defense and energy early gave them an edge (6:10–7:01).

📉 Underwhelming Early Tournament: No standout buzzer-beaters or iconic first-round moments (0:43–2:10).

💪 Texas Tech vs. UNC Wilmington: UNC Wilmington’s comeback exposed Texas Tech’s lack of offensive identity (14:00–15:50).

🔥 Wisconsin's Resilience: Ben emphasized Big Ten toughness and picked Wisconsin over BYU, citing defensive advantage and altitude acclimation (19:13–22:07).

🏀 Drake’s Cohesion: Flawless execution against Missouri earns high praise; picked as strong underdog vs. Texas Tech (15:16–16:30).

😤 UConn vs. Oklahoma: First UConn deficit in years; brutal non-cover due to late-game sequence (2:11–2:41).

🧱 Creighton vs. Auburn: Kalkbrenner expected to dominate defensively; Creighton picked to cover nine points (17:01–18:58).

📉 Big East Struggles: Both hosts voiced disappointment in Big East showings; fading teams like St. John’s and Liberty (9:43–10:17).

📈 Gonzaga Upset Watch: Gonzaga seen as a live dog vs. Houston due to injuries and offensive momentum (22:51–24:53).

🎤 Will Wade’s McNeese: Storyline intrigue as Wade leads McNeese while prepping for his NC State job (35:00–36:00).

🧠 Summary Breakdown

Tournament Lacks Signature Moments: Ben opens with disappointment over the absence of iconic first-round games, unlike prior years like Furman–Virginia or Pegues' buzzer-beater for Auburn.

Clemson vs. McNeese Breakdown: Griffin and Ben analyze Clemson's shooting woes and McNeese's defensive switch-ups; Wade’s zone defense may not work against Purdue.

Purdue & UConn Analysis: Purdue expected to overpower McNeese; UConn's narrow cover fails due to late turnovers and missed shots.

St. John’s vs. Arkansas Preview: Arkansas praised for facing stronger competition; both pick Arkansas to cover +7.5 against a less physical St. John’s.

Michigan vs. Texas A&M Insight: A&M’s reliance on putbacks and free throws called out; Michigan favored due to interior presence and superior backcourt.

Texas Tech’s Offense Exposed: Hawkins’ reckless play and overreliance on threes led to UNCW comeback; Drake picked to cover +7 due to system discipline.

Creighton’s Size Advantage: Kalkbrenner's dominance inside expected to stifle Auburn; hosts back Creighton +9 confidently.

Big Ten Love, BYU Disrespect: Heated debate as Ben champions Big Ten physicality; Griffin defends BYU’s multidimensional offense vs. Wisconsin.

Gonzaga vs. Houston Battle: Both agree on Gonzaga’s upset potential with E.K. and strong perimeter shooting; Houston’s Juwan Roberts injury factor.

UCLA vs. Tennessee Analysis: Tennessee’s defense earns respect, but UCLA’s balanced attack wins Griffin’s pick; game total debated due to both teams’ strengths.

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