LSU Vs Texas
LSU/Texas Game Preview
#4 LSU takes on #2 Texas in the Atlanta Region
LSU TIGERS: Wow, what happened to the Duke Blue Devils? On Thursday night, one feisty tiger mauled them with the resulting score being 62-54 picking an elite 8 berth and an easy 4 unit winner for Maddux Sports premium members! The first number one seed to bow out of the NCAA Tournament, Duke found itself being out rebounded, out shot, and out hustled. LSU shut down J.J. Redick (3 of 18) and the Tiger’s Tyrus Thomas sailed through the air, blocking shots and throwing Duke shooters off balance. Darrel Mitchell had 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for LSU, while Tyrus Thomas captured 14 rebounds and put in nine points. The Tigers held Duke to its lowest point total all season! In the last five minutes it seemed as though no one could score. Then the Memphis club, which was down by 5, scraped for rebounds, ran past a sleeping Duke defense, and went to the foul line numerous times. Along with knocking down 10 Duke shots, the Tigers grabbed 46 rebounds to the Blue Devil’s 36. Near the end Mitchell became a rebounding machine, grabbing the ball off the offensive and defensive boards to garner numerous free throws. Fourth seeded LSU is for real.
(LSU NEEDS TO: This team has to continue to play great defense with non-stop energy. Shooting was very poor against Duke—39% from the court; 52% from the foul line; and 28% from the three point line. They were solid on “D,” blocking shots, rebounding, and fouling a minimal amount. LSU must get their offense running as well as their defense and continue to play take-no-prisoners ball down the stretch. Texas is next and the Longhorns are tough.)
TEXAS LONGHORNS: The second seed Longhorns managed to beat the pesky fourth seed West Virginia Mountaineers, 74-71, in a down-to-the-wire finish, and another winner (WV +5) for Maddux Sports premium members. Sophomore forward LaMarcus Aldridge proved to be a huge factor in the win, scoring 26 points and hauling in 13 rebounds, while junior forward P.J. Tucker was good for 15 points and 14 rebounds. Together they were responsible for 55.4% of their team’s scoring. The Texans out rebounded the Mountaineers by a margin of more than 2 to 1 and went to the foul line 3 times more often than their opponents. As they have all season, West Virginia lived and died by the three-pointer, throwing up 33 and hitting 15, including a game-tying 3 by Kevin Pittsnogle with 5 seconds left. In the final possession of the game, senior guard Kenton Paulino, who had 8 points that night, threw up a three that gave the Longhorns a stunning three-point victory as the clock went down to zero. Going into the locker room at the half, Texas had the lead 39-27 and control of the game. In the second half, West Virginia battled back by cutting to the basket and making 2-pointers. With about 7 minutes left the Mountaineers took the lead. This was the second close contest this year between these two teams, with Texas also winning the first one, 76-75.
(TEXAS NEEDS TO: Continue domination of the boards and solid defense. Texas shot 48% from the court, which was not great but adequate. They may not do as well against the especially tenacious LSU “D.” However, the Longhorns can exploit LSU’s penchant for sending opponents to the foul line. Against West Virginia, Texas played a solid defensive game with a minimal amount of fouls. If they can go to the line as much as Duke did against LSU and shoot about 70% that could be the difference in this game.)
Remember that MadduxSports.com is the best in the handicapping
world when it comes to
March Madness picks. View our March
Madness section which includes daily articles and up
to date ncaa point spreads. Don't forget to grab your
March Madness bracket.
