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Re: 3-21-09
Joe Nelson
Michigan vs. Oklahoma
Pick: Michigan +7
Michigan nearly blew a big lead in the opening round but that might actually be a good thing heading into a tough second round match-up. Coach Beilien will have plenty to work on with his team and the Wolverines should avoid the pitfalls that often hit underdogs that win the opening tournament game. Oklahoma cruised to a fairly easy win in the opening game as Morgan State had no answers for Blake Griffin inside but the Sooners looked out of synch in the backcourt with a lot of poor shots and turnovers. The Sooners did not play great ball late in the year, losing five of the final six games ATS and suffering four of five S/U losses on the year in that span. Oklahoma shot over 60 percent in the opening game and many of those looks were uncontested shots inside. The Sooners also benefited from 32 cracks at the free throw line but this is not a strong free throw shooting team and that is a weakness that could be a problem in this match-up. Although there is valid reason to doubt the Big Ten in the big dance, Michigan is a team that has proven itself against top notch competition from the other power conferences with wins over Duke and UCLA. Oklahoma struggled to beat Purdue in non-conference play, needing overtime and the Sooners are not playing as well at this point in the year.
Joe Nelson
Michigan vs. Oklahoma
Pick: Michigan +7
Michigan nearly blew a big lead in the opening round but that might actually be a good thing heading into a tough second round match-up. Coach Beilien will have plenty to work on with his team and the Wolverines should avoid the pitfalls that often hit underdogs that win the opening tournament game. Oklahoma cruised to a fairly easy win in the opening game as Morgan State had no answers for Blake Griffin inside but the Sooners looked out of synch in the backcourt with a lot of poor shots and turnovers. The Sooners did not play great ball late in the year, losing five of the final six games ATS and suffering four of five S/U losses on the year in that span. Oklahoma shot over 60 percent in the opening game and many of those looks were uncontested shots inside. The Sooners also benefited from 32 cracks at the free throw line but this is not a strong free throw shooting team and that is a weakness that could be a problem in this match-up. Although there is valid reason to doubt the Big Ten in the big dance, Michigan is a team that has proven itself against top notch competition from the other power conferences with wins over Duke and UCLA. Oklahoma struggled to beat Purdue in non-conference play, needing overtime and the Sooners are not playing as well at this point in the year.
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