Sometimes you watch games because of the talent of the two teams participating. Other times you watch because you want to check out some fast-paced action. But the reason I picked this game is because both of these teams have a good story to tell.
These teams have more in common than just their logos. (Both mascots are pawing at the air with their right paw.) Both Baylor and Old Dominion are in a position that is rare to them, the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Third-seeded Baylor defeated Sam Houston State in the first round for the University’s first tournament win since 1950. 11th-seeded Old Dominion squeaked by Notre Dame and collected the Monarchs first victory in March Madness since the 1995 season.
Baylor’s Senior point guard Tweety Carter led the Big 12 in assists (6.1) and averaged 15.7 points a game. Carter is what a team looks for in a point guard. He makes the right decisions and doesn’t panic. Sam Houston State ran a gimmicky triangle-and-two defense to try and slow down Carter in the first round. Carter did what he has done all year, and he found other ways to win. He only took three shots and only had one turnover in 36 minutes of action.
Both teams like play an up-tempo style of game and Old Dominion plays a great zone defense that held Notre Dame to 35.6% from the field.
Old Dominion is among the nation’s leaders in points allowed per game and team rebounding, but struggle mightily from behind the three point line. The Monarchs averaged only 4.6 three pointers a game.
ODU will need a repeat performance of their close victory over Notre Dame if they want to beat the Bears. I look for a tight game, with Baylor edging this one out late. Dunn and Carter will be too much to handle for the underdog Monarchs.
Tip-off of this game for a chance to make the Sweet 16 is at 4:50 p.m.
– Jonathan Weaver