BY MIKE PRATER
@KTIK.COM
For whatever reason, Boise is blessed when it comes to the NCAA Tournament. Since 1983, and eight times since, superstars and super highlights have dominated Taco Bell Arena in March. The college basketball tournament returned to the Boise State campus Thursday after a nine-year absence, and once again we were blessed with drama: Three games decided by an average of 5.7 points and the biggest upset of the day (No. 13 Buffalo over No. 4 Arizona). Outside of the three close games in Boise, the other 13 first-round games were decided by an average of 13.3 points.
Let’s do it all over again Saturday when No. 4 Gonzaga, No. 5 Kentucky, No. 5 Ohio State and No. 13 Buffalo return to Taco Bell Arena for second-round games (schedule listed below).
GONZAGA IMPRESSIONS
The Zags don’t have to play their best to win early round tournament games – this, obviously, is a tested program that knows how to take care of its business. Gonzaga really struggled to shoot the ball against UNC Greensboro’s pesky defense, and the Zags’ defense gave up a sloppy 41 second-half points, but players never panicked and were clutch down the end. Gonzaga-UNCG was the first game of the day, and maybe fans were still a little sleepy, but the crowd support wasn’t as intense as expected. That will happen Saturday against Ohio State.
KENTUCKY IMPRESSIONS
The Wildcats were sleepy good – and still looked fragile enough to lose to Buffalo, which would thrill fans in Taco Bell Arena. Kentucky played questionable defense in its five-point win over Davidson, and didn’t make a 3-pointer in a game for the first time since 1988. Still, future NBA players Kevin Knox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were dominate with a combined 44 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals. Knox played especially well down the stretch, which shows he’s capable of taking over a game anytime he wants.
OHIO STATE IMPRESSIONS
Buckeye Nation, making its Boise debut, produced a strange stat line in the win over South Dakota State: 40 attempts from 3-point range (made only 12), 47 rebounds and only six players scored. This looks like a team that could lose by double-digits Saturday against Gonzaga – or go on a deep NCAA run. Ohio State is basically a three-man team – and CJ Jackson, Kam Williams and Keita Bates-Diop each went for 20-plus points Thursday. Bates-Diop looks like a future NBA player after going for 24 points and 12 rebounds.
BUFFALO IMPRESSIONS
The MAC champions play with confidence for a reason – they’ve won 27 games and absolutely controlled Arizona from start to finish. The Bulls looked like a better, more skilled, more determined team than Arizona – and the Taco Bell Arena crowd will feed off that quality in Saturday’s game against Kentucky. Guards CJ Massinburg and Wes Clark are shooting/active dynamos who also play with a ton of defensive energy, but the rock star is Jeremy Harris. He has dreadlocks, a beard and tattoos, and wears a headband. One word to describe his game: Smooth. The Big Three combined for 67 points on 58 percent shooting against Arizona.
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH SATURDAY
Kevin Knox, Kentucky, F, No. 5 … Co-SEC Freshman of the Year projected to go in the first round of this summer’s NBA Draft.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kentucky, G, No. 22 … Considered a first-round NBA Draft pick this summer because of his length, defense, versatility – and growing potential.
Jeremy Harris, Buffalo, G, No. 2 … Deceptively skilled and active all over the court, making him almost impossible to guard.
CJ Massinburg, Buffalo, G, No. 5 … Team’s leading scorer is a tough leader who is deadly from 3-point range.
Wes Clark, Buffalo, G, No. 10 … Missouri transfer is listed at 6-feet, plays more like 7-feet. Ask Deandre Ayton.
CJ Jackson, Ohio State, G, No. 3 … The junior played the best game of his career Thursday night.
Kam Williams, Ohio State, G, No. 15 … Tough, appears to be juggling a lower-body injury, and remains highly productive; had a huge four-point play late in Thursday’s win.
Keita Bates-Diop, Ohio State, F, No. 33 … The Big Ten Player of the Year excels on both ends of the court and is headed to the NBA after this season.
Johnathan Williams, Gonzaga, F, No. 3 … Strong two-way player who can dominate on both ends of the court; was especially impressive on defense against UNCG. One of three players Thursday to finish with a double-double (19-13).
Josh Perkins, Gonzaga, G, No. 13 … The point guard hit several big shots Thursday and finished with 16 points. Perkins is an elite ball distributor who had only 2 assists (he had 22 in three West Coast Conference Tournament games) but was asked to do more Thursday. Watch for the way he handles the ball Saturday.
Zach Norvell Jr., Gonzaga, G, No. 23 … The freshman has a knack for making clutch shots, and hit a huge 3-pointer to give the Zags a 67-64 lead with 20.8 seconds remaining against UNCG, then added a free throw at 7.8 seconds. He finished with 15 points.
Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga, F, No. 21 … The Japan native had a quiet game Thursday, with 4 points and 5 rebounds. He averages 11 points a game and should play a more significant role Saturday, though that could be difficult against Ohio State’s dominant inside players.
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE AT TACO BELL ARENA
- No. 13 Buffalo (27-8) vs. No. 5 Kentucky (25-10), 3:15 p.m. (CBS)
- No. 5 Ohio State (25-8) vs. No. 4 Gonzaga (31-4), approximately 5:45 p.m. (CBS)
Mike Prater, editor of The Opinionator, co-hosts Idaho Sports Talk with Caves & Prater weekdays from 3-6 p.m. on KTIK 93.1 FM The Ticket and can be heard on Bronco GameNight after BSU football games on KBOI 670 AM and KTIK 93.1 FM. He can be reached at [email protected], and found @CavesandPrater(Facebook) and @MikeFPrater (Twitter).
