9/10 House Basketball Final Four Preview

by Britton Barthold

This week, Friday is meant for one thing and one thing only: the 9/10 House Basketball Final Four. In one corner, we have a suspected match-up. #4 UConn takes on #1 Stanford at 7:00pm. In the other corner, we have two Cinderella stories with #7 Kentucky taking on #11 Georgia Tech. Literally, this Final Four was so unsuspected I’m pretty sure ESPN can make a 30 for 30 film out of it. Right now, you will get deep breakdowns of every team involved and in-depth analysis of what to watch for when Middlesex Middle School is packed for some legit House action. But instead of me rambling on in a paragraph of who’s better, I want to make things a little more interesting. There will be a small intro, a player to watch, and a few match-ups to watch.

#1 Stanford vs. #4 UConn

 The two top seeds at the top half of the bracket took care of business on Tuesday to clinch a trip to the Final Four.

Stanford 53 Syracuse 38

The highlight of that game was seeing Stanford tame the giant in sophomore Dolan Gregorich and having sophomore John Foley walk straight up to me and say, “This was a statement.” Foley couldn’t have said it clearer. Stanford stomped their way into the Final Four and has huge momentum heading in.

UConn 46 Duke 41

No one really expected UConn to actually win this one, but that changed once freshman phenomenon Charlie Sealy decided it was necessary to go off against Duke. Sophomore Jack McCann walked out of that game tall (well, not really) and said, “Colin Minicus has nothing on me.” We shall see.

Players to Watch:

A little disclaimer before I start these. These are meant to be players that don’t usually get the credit. Yes, I understand Colin Minicus is a freak of nature at basketball, but just understand these are players that don’t get major credit.

Freshman Nick Percarpio (UConn): Underrated, unknown, but possibly the biggest three-point threat on the court on Friday. Stanford needs to keep an eye on him at all times to win this one.

Sophomore Jack Wells (Stanford): Jack Wells has played in the shadow most of the season, but continues to be one of the most underrated players in house. He commands the boards well, dominates down low and has that touch on his jumper only a few people have.

Freshman Peter Hartigan (UConn): Hartigan has been the best option for UConn at big man all year and he’s done a good enough job to get them into the Final Four. Hartigan remains a viable scoring option down low for the Huskies, so watch for him on Friday night.

Player Match-Ups:

Sophomore Sean Edgar (Stanford) vs. Freshman Charlie Sealy (UConn)

This is going to be a war. I can already tell. Sealy (Freshman of the Year) has been near unstoppable lately, and I don’t see him slowing down. However, Sean Edgar (Defensive Player of the Year) is a nightmare to have on you, so that means only one thing… entertaining basketball.

Sophomore John Foley (Stanford) vs. Sophomores David & Scott Voigt (UConn)

This isn’t going to be what I described above. Not a nice, clean match-up at the point. No, no, no. The physicality and talk the Voigts bring to the court is brilliant, as it gets into opponent’s minds and gives UConn the edge. However, Stanford owns the best antidote around. John Foley is the Richard Sherman of House. He talks, and backs it up. I will not be surprised if Foley and the Voigts brawl… just saying.

Stanford Strengths:

• Tight defense
• Driving to the basket
• Rebounding on both sides of the ball

Stanford Weaknesses:

• Defending big guards
  

UConn Strengths:

• Charlie Sealy’s game
• Three point game
• Physicality 

UConn Weaknesses:

• Reliable guard outside of Sealy

Prediction:

This game will be closer than most people think. Sealy can play, and has a great supporting cast in Hartigan, Percarpio and McCann. Stanford has everything they need however to continue to roll, but like I said before, it will be a close one.

I don’t like doing predictions, as it usually results in opposing players getting in a mood when they see me. So this time, I involved the league and asked five players not playing in the games what they thought the score would be and averaged those scores into what is below.

League Says: Stanford 34 UConn 29

#7 Kentucky vs. #11 Georgia Tech

There is one sentence that sums up what these two teams have gone through. They aren’t supposed to be this far, but yet, they are.

  

Kentucky 43 Missouri 33

Kentucky shocked the league when they upset #2 Missouri on Tuesday and walked out of that game like they knew that was going to happen. Holding Missouri to 33 points is tough, but Kentucky was able to do it.

Georgia Tech 42 Georgetown 33

Georgia Tech continued their Cinderella Story this Tuesday as they went off against a short-handed Georgetown team. Freshman Brian Keating was able to contain sophomore Big Man of the Year Mark Evanchick, which is great news for Tech as they head into their battle with Kentucky.

Players to Watch:

If you have no idea why these players are on here, look at the disclaimer on the other “Players to Watch”.

Freshman Ben Bidell (Georgia Tech): Bidell is Georgia Tech’s most reliable shooter behind freshman “Best Three Point Shooter” award winner Cord Fox. Bidell also has the fastidious ability to drive quickly and effectively to the basket, which gives Georgia Tech the perfect combination in the paint and behind the arc.

Sophomore Andrew Mercein (Kentucky): Mercein has been given a lack of credit this year as Kentucky’s only big man. He was able to stop most of Missouri’s productivity in the paint on Tuesday and made it hard for MVP Timmy Graham to get to the basket early. Mercein looks to capitalize on this success against Georgia Tech’s Brian Keating.

Sophomore Lee Gardella (Kentucky): Gardella is one of Kentucky’s best scoring weapons, hands down. He drives hard and plays with some fine finesse, which allows for great scoring opportunities. Gardella was a star in the league two years ago as well, leading his team all the way to the ‘ship before failing to bring home the title. Against whom you ask? Brian Keating’s squad.

Player Match-Ups:

Freshman Brian Keating (Georgia Tech) vs. Sophomore Andrew Mercein (Kentucky)

I’m guessing this will be a match-up on Friday night, and if it is, it will be a good one. Both big men aren’t the tallest, yet hold enough strength for what should be an entertaining battle down in the trenches.

Trifone Twins (Kentucky) vs. Freshmen Will Ahl and Cord Fox (Georgia Tech)

It is once again my guess that the Trifone twins will be paired up against Georgia Tech’s main threats, and in my opinion, that’s guards Will Ahl and Cord Fox. Fox was voted the “Best Three Point Shooter” in House this year, while Ahl is a big and fast guard that can make things happen at the hoop. The Trifone twin defense will be a hard thing to get past, so it should be interesting to watch.

Kentucky Strengths:

• Defense
• Transition play
• Fast break offense

Kentucky Weaknesses:

• Scoring in the paint
• A “big” big man

Georgia Tech Strengths:

• Three-point shooting
• Driving to the basket
• Steals

Georgia Tech Weaknesses:

• Guarding the three balls
• Transition defense

Prediction:

This one will either be close or a blowout, depending on which teams show up on Friday. If Kentucky brings its defensive mentality from the past two games, it should be a low-scoring affair. If Kentucky can’t bring that same defense, Georgia Tech will go ham on the three balls. This game, however, will definitely be awesome. You have Georgia Tech, who won three games in the regular season and has the entire House league on their side, against Kentucky, who wasn’t even supposed to be anywhere near good this year. Hopefully, it lives up to the hype.

League Says: Georgia Tech 43 Kentucky 42

Final Four Friday will be entertaining, and House Basketball will be at its finest. I look forward to seeing most of you there. Get there and be loud and proud.

Also, there will be no Championship Preview. There is no time in-between the Final Four and Championship. So with that, thanks for the support this year; I enjoyed it greatly.

Final List of Award Winners:

MVP: Timmy Graham (Missouri) w/ 38% of the vote.

Freshman of the Year: Charlie Sealy (UConn) w/ 55% of the vote.

Big Man of the Year: Mark Evanchick (Georgetown) w/ 51% of the vote.

Defensive Player of the Year: Sean Edgar (Stanford) w/ 45% of the vote.

Best Three Point Shooter: Cord Fox (Georgia Tech) w/ 38% of the vote.

Mr. Bank Shot: Kyle Fisher (North Carolina) w/ 46% of the vote.

Game of the Year: Missouri 49 Georgia Tech 48 w/ 35% of the vote.

Moment of the Year: Brendan Seiler posts up on Mark Evanchick and hits the fade-away jumper w/ 37% of the vote.

Coach of the Year: Ron Mulliken and Robbie Foresta (Miami) w/ 46% of the vote.

Twins of the Year: Matt & Chris Drake (Syracuse) w/ 38% of the vote.

Sportsmanship Award: Brendan Seiler (North Carolina) w/ 69% of the vote.

Underdog of the Year: Mac Keating (Missouri) w/ 58% of the vote.

Most House Swag: Mac Keating (Missouri) w/ 46% of the vote.

Most Finesse: Colin Minicus (Stanford) w/ 47% of the vote.

Best Celebration: Spencer Stovall (Missouri) and his “Special Celebration” after scoring w/ 62% of the vote.

Smallest Body, Biggest Heart: Brett Durbin (North Carolina) w/ 44% of the vote.