Must See Sports – First Weekend of March 2013

Saturday, March 2

NCAA Men’s College Basketball

#5 Miami Hurricanes at #3 Duke Blue Devils

Six words: regular season game of the year!

Miami has been battling all year to show that they are the real deal. They have had the #1 ranking within their grasp, only to fall short of the top spot after being hammered by Wake Forest earlier this week. After losing some early season games against teams that, on paper, did not belong on the same court with the Canes (Florida Gulf Coast and Indiana State), the Canes became the hottest team in the country, ripping off 14 straight wins, including a dethroning of then #1 Duke in January.

Miami's strategy is to out-physical and rough up the opponent under the board and in the paint. However, the key cogs in their machine are the two studs in their backcourt, sophomore Shane Larkin (13 PPG, 4 APG, 4 RPG) and senior Durand Scott (13 PPG, 4 RPG). They are the straws that stir the Hurricane, so to speak.

Duke's success will depend on their seniors, shooting guard Seth Curry (17 PPG) and power forward Mason Plumlee (17 PPG, 11 RPG). Coming off of a court-storming loss at Virginia and returning home, I fully expect the Blue Devils to be "up" for this game. Expect the Hurricanes to leave Cameron Indoor as a tropical depression.

Advantage: Duke


#10 Louisville Cardinals at #12 Syracuse Orange

Both of these soon-to-be former Big East powerhouses have fallen out of the top ten since their meeting in January. That doesn't mean that either is without well justified championship aspirations. Nonetheless, Georgetown wrestled away the top dog's spot in the conference with their win over Syracuse last week and everyone else is looking up at the Hoyas.

Louisville is a very well balanced team that can beat an opponent in a variety of way. All five starters are solid, future-NBA aspiring players. But senior point guard Peyton Siva (10 PPG, 6 APG) has to continue to play with a fire in his belly to go out on top. How much will the Cardinals be up for this road game in a place where the host is coming off of a recently snapped 38 game home winning streak to the aforementioned Hoyas and the guest has a losing record against ranked opponents (with no wins on the road against ranked opponents)?

Syracuse is at home in the Carrier Dome with something to prove and I don't expect lighting to strike twice in one week.

Advantage: Syracuse

Due to time constraints, the remaining Must See matchups will not contain a preview..

Sunday, March 3

NCAA Men’s College Basketball

#9 Michigan State at #4 Michigan

Advantage: Michigan

NBA

Miami Heat at New York Knicks

Advantage: Heat

Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers

Advantage: Thunder

Tuesday, March 5

NCAA Men’s College Basketball

#16 Ohio State Buckeyes at #1 Indiana Hosiers

Advantage: Indiana

Wednesday, March 6

NBA

Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs

Advantage: Bulls



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