When the NCAA Tournament arrives, it’s a very different dynamic when compared to the NBA postseason. In the NBA, a seven-game series will reveal a wide range of pressure points. If there’s a weakness, the opponent will find it, and it’s up to a team and coach to work around that limitation over the course of a long series. In March Madness, it’s one day, one 40-minute game, one two-hour battle. Unlikely heroes might emerge, but coaching staffs have to focus on the main pressure points with limited preparation and a lack of familiarity with the opponent.
Choosing which players are most important is a central part of sizing up any NCAA Tournament game.
Cory Linsner of Spartans Wire revealed the X-factor for the USC Trojans against Michigan State. It’s not Boogie Ellis:
“While everyone knows USC star Boogie Ellis, I believe the true x-factor on the Trojans team is Drew Peterson,” Linsner wrote. “Peterson is a 6’9″ wing that averages 14 points per game, but the key is he is averaging over 15 points per game in wins for USC, while only averaging around 10 points per game in the Trojans losses. Limiting Peterson on the offensive end should be of the upmost priority for the Spartans.”
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The game starts at 9:15 a.m. Los Angeles time. Have some breakfast with your basketball on the West Coast. CBS will air the game.
Check out how to watch USC-Michigan State and also USC’s Women’s NCAA Tournament action, plus all the other March Madness games on Friday, March 17.
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