Cornell +13.5
Where to start? I think this is the best possible draw for Cornell, and the absolute worst for Missouri. To start this is an experienced, battle tested Cornell team, who expects to win this game. After they made the tournament and got bounced in the 1st round last season they purposely scheduled much tougher games to get themselves prepared, and possibly a higher seed in this years tournament. So everything they have done in the past year has been building up towards this game vs Missouri. Unfortunatly, Louis Dale, former Ivy league player of the year, and Adam Gore, former all league player missed almost all of those game with injuries. They still battled and either led sometime during the game, or at half against Syracuse, St John's, Minnesota, and St Joe's. They also faced Indiana(who they thought would be much better when the game was scheduled), and Siena, where they didn't fare as well. I think they gained some valuable experience in those games, especially Chris Wroblewski, member of the all freshman team in the Ivy. Wrob started in place of Dale in those games, so he gained some valuable experience against big time competition, which deepened their bench once Dale returned. If nothing else the experience he gained strengthed their bench, something that could have been a question mark prior to the season.
Now into some statistics. Cornell holds a significant edge from the foul line where they shoot 73.4%, compared to only 66.8% from Missouri. The Big Red also shoot the 3 ball much better 41.5% (one of the best in the country btw) in comparison to 35.9% for Mizzou. I also like to see how the teams have been playing down the stretch. Cornell has been shooting the ball extremely well from the floor, hitting above 50% in 4 of their last 5 games, and over 40% from 3 in their last 5, two of those games were actually better than 57%. Defensively they have been just as good. They have held 4 of their last 5 opponents under 37% from the floor, and the same 4 were held under 30% from 3, with the only one above the 30% barrier, only hitting 33%. Granted it was against Ivy league competition, but it was against the best of the Ivy. Almost all of Cornell's key players can shoot the 3 at a high percentage, which allows the Big Red to really stretch the floor, and make teams pay in transition (more on this later). The Big Red has scorers all over the floor. They are led by this years Ivy league player of the year Ryan Wittman, who averaged 18.5ppg, while knocking down 41.9% of this 3's. Next is former Ivy League player of the year Louis Dale, who despite injury (which hurt his numbers), still managed to average 13.5ppg, while connecting on 38.5 from 3. Ivy Leauge defensive player of the year Geoff Reeves averaged 9.1ppg, and shot 41.7% from 3. Ivy Leauge freshman of the year, Chris Wrobleswki gave Cornell another 7ppg, and another 3 point threat, as he hit 44.9% from deep. Through in former Ivy league all league player Adam Gore, who returned in February from a torn ACL at another 38.9% from 3. Gore hasn't been able to contribute as much as he, or the team would have liked, but he still gives Cornell some valuable experienced minutes off the bench, and can fill it up from deep it left open.
As you can see this is a group of players who have really collected all sorts of hardware over their stellar careers. The reason I think this was a good draw for them is because they can really handle the ball, which should allow them to break Missouri's full court press. Even though he plays in the Ivy league, Dale is still one of the best point guards in the country. He can handle the ball, and break the press, which could lead to plenty of open 3's in transition. When you break the press you usually get rewarded with some open shots. You saw the numbers this team can put up from outside. No doubt Louis Dale will be the key to this game. If he can handle the press, like I think he can, Cornell can really get going in transition. They don't need much space to fill it up, and space is exactly what you have if the press is broken. The other key to the game will be Jeff Foote's ability to hold his own in the paint. Foote is a legit 7 foot center, who also averages double figures. He is strong on the glass, and should help Cornell hold their own in the paint. Defensively they don't exactly have the athleticism to cause Mizzou problems, but they do have the experience to cause Missouri to struggle. With the experience you gain, you know where, and how to position yourself on defense. You learn how to deal with players, who have you out matched athletically. These are all juniors, and seniors, last years experience, combined with the tough games they scheduled earlier this season, and played throughout their careers have taught them exactly how to play in games such as these. Like I said everything that Cornell has done for the last year has been in preparation for this game. They have a roster that has collected all sorts of hardware and awards, however nothing will be more gratifying then upsetting someone in this tournament. If Missouri looks past Cornell in the slightest they could easily be upset. I think Cornell keeps it VERY close throughout, and if they don;t pull the upset they come very close.
Where to start? I think this is the best possible draw for Cornell, and the absolute worst for Missouri. To start this is an experienced, battle tested Cornell team, who expects to win this game. After they made the tournament and got bounced in the 1st round last season they purposely scheduled much tougher games to get themselves prepared, and possibly a higher seed in this years tournament. So everything they have done in the past year has been building up towards this game vs Missouri. Unfortunatly, Louis Dale, former Ivy league player of the year, and Adam Gore, former all league player missed almost all of those game with injuries. They still battled and either led sometime during the game, or at half against Syracuse, St John's, Minnesota, and St Joe's. They also faced Indiana(who they thought would be much better when the game was scheduled), and Siena, where they didn't fare as well. I think they gained some valuable experience in those games, especially Chris Wroblewski, member of the all freshman team in the Ivy. Wrob started in place of Dale in those games, so he gained some valuable experience against big time competition, which deepened their bench once Dale returned. If nothing else the experience he gained strengthed their bench, something that could have been a question mark prior to the season.
Now into some statistics. Cornell holds a significant edge from the foul line where they shoot 73.4%, compared to only 66.8% from Missouri. The Big Red also shoot the 3 ball much better 41.5% (one of the best in the country btw) in comparison to 35.9% for Mizzou. I also like to see how the teams have been playing down the stretch. Cornell has been shooting the ball extremely well from the floor, hitting above 50% in 4 of their last 5 games, and over 40% from 3 in their last 5, two of those games were actually better than 57%. Defensively they have been just as good. They have held 4 of their last 5 opponents under 37% from the floor, and the same 4 were held under 30% from 3, with the only one above the 30% barrier, only hitting 33%. Granted it was against Ivy league competition, but it was against the best of the Ivy. Almost all of Cornell's key players can shoot the 3 at a high percentage, which allows the Big Red to really stretch the floor, and make teams pay in transition (more on this later). The Big Red has scorers all over the floor. They are led by this years Ivy league player of the year Ryan Wittman, who averaged 18.5ppg, while knocking down 41.9% of this 3's. Next is former Ivy League player of the year Louis Dale, who despite injury (which hurt his numbers), still managed to average 13.5ppg, while connecting on 38.5 from 3. Ivy Leauge defensive player of the year Geoff Reeves averaged 9.1ppg, and shot 41.7% from 3. Ivy Leauge freshman of the year, Chris Wrobleswki gave Cornell another 7ppg, and another 3 point threat, as he hit 44.9% from deep. Through in former Ivy league all league player Adam Gore, who returned in February from a torn ACL at another 38.9% from 3. Gore hasn't been able to contribute as much as he, or the team would have liked, but he still gives Cornell some valuable experienced minutes off the bench, and can fill it up from deep it left open.
As you can see this is a group of players who have really collected all sorts of hardware over their stellar careers. The reason I think this was a good draw for them is because they can really handle the ball, which should allow them to break Missouri's full court press. Even though he plays in the Ivy league, Dale is still one of the best point guards in the country. He can handle the ball, and break the press, which could lead to plenty of open 3's in transition. When you break the press you usually get rewarded with some open shots. You saw the numbers this team can put up from outside. No doubt Louis Dale will be the key to this game. If he can handle the press, like I think he can, Cornell can really get going in transition. They don't need much space to fill it up, and space is exactly what you have if the press is broken. The other key to the game will be Jeff Foote's ability to hold his own in the paint. Foote is a legit 7 foot center, who also averages double figures. He is strong on the glass, and should help Cornell hold their own in the paint. Defensively they don't exactly have the athleticism to cause Mizzou problems, but they do have the experience to cause Missouri to struggle. With the experience you gain, you know where, and how to position yourself on defense. You learn how to deal with players, who have you out matched athletically. These are all juniors, and seniors, last years experience, combined with the tough games they scheduled earlier this season, and played throughout their careers have taught them exactly how to play in games such as these. Like I said everything that Cornell has done for the last year has been in preparation for this game. They have a roster that has collected all sorts of hardware and awards, however nothing will be more gratifying then upsetting someone in this tournament. If Missouri looks past Cornell in the slightest they could easily be upset. I think Cornell keeps it VERY close throughout, and if they don;t pull the upset they come very close.
WOW, really going out on a limb with this one! VCU either wins and covers or UCLA wins and covers.....Considering all 1st round games last year from the 3/14 to 7/10; the team who won the game got the cover. 14 favs covered and 5 dogs covered (all winning outright). The other game not included was a pickem between Miami and St. Mary's.
