In the West region of the 2011 Mens NCAA Tournament the 1 seed Duke Blue Devils will take on the 8 seed Michigan Wolverines today at 2:45.
Duke beat Hampton University in the second round of the tournament 87-45. The Blue Devils are the defending national champions after they beat the Butler Bulldogs in the championship game in 2010. Duke is a well rounded team with a lot of experience. Duke is led by senior Kyle Singler, 2010 NCAA tournaments most outstanding player, and Nolan Smith, the 2011 ACC player of the year. Duke's star freshman Kyle Irving scored 14 points in his first appearance back in the lineup after he suffered a toe injury against the Butler Bulldogs on December 4, 2010. Duke is a favorite to win the tournament again this year but will face a tough opponent today in the Michigan Wolverines.
The Michigan Wolverines beat the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the tournament 75-45. The Wolverines are led by coach John Beilein, sophomore point guard Darius Morris, and freshman guard Tim Hardaway Jr. Michigan upset the number 4 ranked Blue Devils in 2008. Although it is not a huge rivalry, there is some tension between the two teams that goes back to the days with Michigan's Fab Five.
Duke is a well rounded team that can score, rebound, push the ball up the court, and play tough defense. Michigan is a young small team who plays tough defense and can shoot the three ball. Look for Michigan to play some of their 1-3-1 zone on defense to try contain guards Nolan Smith and Kyle Irving and to force Duke to make the three ball. In Dukes four losses this year they are 26 of 108 from three point range. Duke is the favorite in this game and if they can play tough defense and adjust to the different looks Michigan will show on defense they should win the game. But don't count Michigan out. If Michigan can rebound and get hot from three point range look out. Michigan scored 75 points on Tennessee and not one of them came from the free throw line. Look for Michigan to try get to the free throw line more this game. Michigan will have to shut down Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler and Duke will have to stop Darius Morris and Tim Hardaway Jr.
My Pick: Michigan Wolverines
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