Aggies and Cougars Head to Tournament Add Comment    Mar 14, 2011

As we figured, both the BYU Cougars and the Utah State Aggies made the NCAA tournament.  As we figured as well, both teams will play in the South East bracket.  Only problem, they both need to win big to actually play each other.  They would actually meet in the elite eight if they do play.

So, we are happy for both teams, so lets predict how far they will go.

Utah State Aggies first:

#5 Kansas State Wildcats vs. #12 Utah State Aggies

This game has some real interest.  I think that of all the 12 seeds, the Aggies have the best shot at an upset.  In fact, the Aggies should really be more of a 19 seed in my book.  With that in mind, the Aggies play well on the road, are ranked in the top ten for points allowed and in the top 30 for points per game, versus the Wildcats that are 40 and 143 respectively.  They also are a very good defensive rebounding team and rank in the top 20 in defense. However, offensive rebounding is a weakness; they rank just #115 in that category.  Now, the Wildcats have a tougher schedule, and that can really take over a game, but in my book the Big 12 is not really that good and overrated.  The Wildcats rank #5 in offensive rebounds and is a very strong defensive team.  They do struggle however at the free throw line, where they rank in the bottom 50% of all teams.  The Wildcats are projected to win by two points, but I have this as a first round upset and a win for the Aggies.

#3 BYU Cougars vs. Wofford Terriers

Not sure what to say here, but the Cougars should win this game.  The Cougars have skills when it comes to ball handling, thank you Jimmer.  They rank in the top 20 for handling and scoring.  However, they struggle at offensive rebounding, where they rank in the bottom 50% of all teams.  Now take their best rebounder out of the mix due to suspension and they will have some real troubles.  This game, not really any trouble, but they will need to win this one big to make a showing for the next round.  I do not know much about the Terriers, but they are a great 3-point shooting team.  If they get hot in that area, they will take this one over.  However, they struggle at defensive rebounding, where they rank in the bottom 50% of all teams.  And when you play Jimmer, you cannot have that kind of stat.  BYU is favored to win by 8, but this might be closer than we all think.

Article written by

Jeremy Vick