Head-to-Head: College Hoops, Texas NBA Skirmish and the Pro Bowl
by Jordan Adams and Drew Mangione - 02/08/2007
Each week two of Doc's Sports gambling aficionados will give their alternating perspectives on the key games and interesting issues in the game at both the college and professional levels. You may not agree, they may not agree, but it should be interesting!
Here are this week's topics:
Marquette at Georgetown (Noon, Saturday, Feb. 10)
Drew: I haven't seen this many guards making an impact since I was beaten outside my Malaysian cell 'round Thanksgiving. Marquette reminds me of Villanova over the last few years-young and stacked with a quality backcourt. They go eight deep with three sophomore guards leading the way and only one senior in the rotation. They Hoyas are also young with five juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen in a 10-deep lineup. In other words, this is an even match-up of up-and-coming teams.
Prediction: Marquette 72, Georgetown 66
Jordan: This is the classic battle of the Golden Eagles' speed vs. the Hoyas' size. Marquette probably has the best backcourt trio in the country with Dominic James, Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal, and they are responsible for Pittsburgh's lone blemish in Big East play. G-Town has a tower in Roy Hibbert, not to mention Jeff Green. However, I love speed. It kills in the college game, and I'll roll with the Midwest Trio.
Prediction: Marquette 65, Georgetown 60
Florida at Kentucky (9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10)
Drew: I want to pick an upset. I really do. Florida hasn't lost since Dec. 3 and in their path to No. 1 includes a beat down of our favorite geriatric freshman's Ohio State squad on Festivus. Kentucky had back-to-back losses to Vandy and Georgia, used a 20-2 run against Tennessee to win by 19, and came back from 14 down against Arkansas to win by eight. That signifies a team gelling. I'll resist though, and leave the pre-tourney upset up to a good Alabama squad or a desperate NIT-bound LSU.
Prediction: Florida 83, Kentucky 71
Jordan: The defending champs are beginning to pick up steam and there aren't too many teams that can match this loaded starting five. But just like Arizona, they lack quality from the bench. That lack of depth will catch up with them in March when a more physical team gets them into foul trouble. But for now, Kentucky can do no right against the better Gators. The Wildcats have talent but they are too young, too inexperienced, not to mention they have no go-to scorer. Florida has five, and they'll cruise.
Prediction: Florida 74, Kentucky 63
Who do you have in the Final Four, right now?
Drew: In the NBA, the post matters most. In college, it's the guys handling the ball. But in both instances, you can't forego one for the other. My Final Four would have to include two complete teams and two teams that might just be hot. I'll say North Carolina and Ohio State find their way to Atlanta as favorites to win it all. A pair of good, but surprising teams will likely accompany them. My gut says Marquette and Oregon.
Prediction: Tar Heels win their second title under Uncle Roy.
Jordan: As you may know by now, I've been touting my preseason Final Four picks, because quite frankly I'm pleased with their progress. Kansas, Texas A&M, UCLA stay in my vault, but I will gladly eject Oklahoma State. I'll replace them with the talent-laden Tar Heels and you can book those for their respective quadrants come March. I had said Kansas would defeat the Bruins in the National Title game, and will stick with my gut because I really love the way both are playing.
Prediction: March Madness is as unpredictable as Rex Grossman. And while I would love to be 4-for-4, give me drama and mayhem in the Tourney and I'll be happy no matter who wins.
Houston at Dallas (8:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 9)
Drew: Since Yao Ming went down just before Christmas, Santa McGrady has come in bringing enough presents, or points, to keep the team winning on nearly a 75-percent clip. That's good for third best in the league, but unfortunately for Jeff Van Gundy & Co. the only teams better have been Dallas and Phoenix. This is a little bit of a statement game, because the Rockets will only get better with Yao in March.
Prediction: Rockets 105, Dallas 102
Jordan: I'm kind of bored with the daily nonsense of the NBA and more focused on the college game. Can you blame me? NCAA hoops are keeping me entertained 24/7 with all these great match-ups and it's not even mid-February. The Mavs are better and I can't go against them at home. Until Yao comes back, Dirk will be ready to shoot and score against a lackluster Rockets frontcourt.
Prediction: Dallas 97, Houston 90
NFC vs. AFC (6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10)
Drew: I can see it now. Shawne Merriman gets kicked out of the game for cheating-blitzing too much in an exhibition game. Jason Taylor piles on by saying "the steroids make people overly aggressive." Bill Belichick says he told Merriman not to blitz, but LT says the classless coach let that happen. By the end of the game, they realize that only nine people on the mainland watched what happened.
Prediction: NFC 93, AFC 76, and no one cares.
Jordan: Considering all these yuppies are pulling out at the last second because of 'injuries' who knows which team is more equipped to win? Seriously, no blitzing, rushing the kickers and you can celebrate? Is this football? How about we all hold hands in the middle of the field and play this game out on Xbox 360. This game is the most worthless event of any All-Star professional sports. I'll root for the zebras.
Prediction: It's a victory for all if these fools escape without a torn knee ligament or separated shoulder. I can just see Herm Edwards yelling, 'You play not to get hurt.'
Jordan and Drew will be going Head-to-Head every week. If you have any comments or questions for them, or any topics that you'd like discussed, email us at service@docsports.com.