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(03-15-2015 07:32 PM)jthrashr Wrote:  I like our match-up with Iowa State, but without question, they are the better team. They're an elite offensive-minded squad who have crushed teams this year.

For UAB to win, we need to play a perfect game—grab offensive rebounds, get to the free throw line, shoot a high percentage from three, and limit their three-pointers, which honestly, will be a big task for us as we've had trouble rotating at times. They'll have a few line-ups where basically anyone on the floor can shoot the three-pointer consistently. That said, Iowa State still beat Kansas while shooting .125 from deep, so even that's not a sure-fire gameplan.

They play at a quicker pace than Lousiana Tech, but they don't necessarily press. I think a fast pace probably helps our chances, but more possessions mean the better team wins in the long run (thus XCMD's infuriating "slow it down" gameplan).

Size-wise and athletically, we match-up okay. Our backcourt will be undersized, but that's been the case all year, so nothing new. It'll be interesting to see who guards Niang. He's a 6'8 230lb PF who operates on the perimeter quite a bit. We'll probably throw a combo of Lee, Mehinti, and Washington at him, but I think Lee is the only one athletic enough to guard Niang when he's not operating on the block.

I wouldn't be surprised if we roll with a line-up consisting of Norton, Brown, Lee, Cokley, and Mehinti quite a bit. I think we'll need Lee's length and defensive versatility.

I've been waiting for at least a month for that lineup stretches frontcourt depth but I can live with it knowing our guards.