BYU vs. VCU in the big dance

So how did these guys get here?
1- they start 5 seniors and they play those 5 for almost the entire game…kinda like SMC does.

2- VCU has a very good point guard, Ukrainian 6’5 Max Shulga. He is their do everything guy
Leads the team in scoring
Leads the team in assists
Shoots 39% from 3land
put Mag on him.

3- almost 50% of their shots are 3s. They are definitely a guard driven team. they run a 4 guard-1 forward rotation. Every single one of their starters will shoot the 3 which in turn, if they are hitting, they can back door us to death. BYU starts a 6’9 and 6’7 up top so KY will need to work on how to fight through high pics for open 3s.

BYU out shoots VCU 37%-33% from 3land.

4- BYU should be able to score down low. I would be very surprised if Foos doesn’t score 20 in this game. Their starter, Jack Clark, is 6’9 and weighs 215lbs. both Foos and Keba out weigh him by 50lbs.

5- If BYU can hit their 3s, this game shouldn’t be close because BYU can go inside at will and BYU can make it tough for VCU inside.

6- BYU should also have a huge advantage rebounding. Odd stat, VCU is very good on the O boards but average on D rebounds, weird.

7-VCU 77ppg-81 ppg adv. BYU
VCU allows 62ppg-71 BYU adv. VCU
VCU 38 rpg-37 rpg BYU, adv BYU (VCU has not seen the size BYU brings inside)
VCU 15 apg-17 BYU adv BYU
VCU runs 5 seniors-BYU runs 2 seniors big adv VCU.

Will be a tough game, would not be surprised if VCU were up at the half but eventually they have to play their bench. BYU is Waaaaaaaay deeper. big adv. BYU

I will say BYU almost gets to 80 and wins by 5
Let’s get this 1st win!

Stewart is the only player we have that does a great job fighting through screens. If we go under screens, they will have open 3’s. We have to hope they will flop on the big stage.

Mile high altitude BYU advantage don’t forget that

That’s right!

Mag and Saunders?
BYU has plenty of guys that can fight through screens, what has to happen is our center, Keba or Foos have to cut off the pic, chase them out along with whoever is our guard. Then our other outside defenders have to lock tight to their guys so that there is no outlet pass. leaves VCU’s guard just dribbling further out and nowhere to go.

Steward is by far the best fighting through screens. He steps through and gets his butt out of the way. Danny Ainge was great at fighting through screens and Frank Arnold was great at teaching and coaching fighting through screens. Saunders is good but not elite. The rest of the team not so good.