Run, Run, Run

Syracuse is a far superior team when the push the tempo. The problem lies in that their 2-3 zone isn't aggressive enough to generate turnovers to consistently increase the pace of the game. Syracuse played a dismal first half against Rutgers last night and trailed 20-19. They slowly put their foot on the gas in the second half and were aided by lackluster shooting from the Scarlet Knights. As Rutgers kept missing, Syracuse kept pushing the ball, leading to layups and three-pointers in transition. They better pray to not face teams from the Big Ten in the NCAA tournament because a slow it down affair is not good for their offense.

Villanova is another team that excels in transition. During the first half against Notre Dame on Monday, the half-court offense looked a little stagnant and the Nova big men were taking shots a few feet outside their range. In the second half, they played more in transition. Scottie Reynolds was better than he had been in recent games, attacking the defense at every opportunity. The one alarming aspect of the game for Villanova was their propensity to consistently leave Ryan Ayers open at the three-point line. Once the guy makes 3 or 4 of em, let's close out the shooter!

Finally, I offer one comment from the Kansas State vs. Oklahoma State affair from last night. I doubt Kansas State is making the tournament at this point, but Oklahoma State isn't impressive either. They've got some athletes, but their prone to long droughts on offense. They got gifted the game with some poor defense and shot selection by the Wildcats.