College Basketball Knowledge
7th-place game will be fiercely fought; no one wants to leave Hawai'i on an 0-3 skid. Washington State is 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 9-28-4 points to Gonzaga/Oklahoma/No Iowa. Coogs are 7-4 vs schedule #309; they have #41 eFG% despite turning ball over 20.8% of time. Lobos lost last three games, allowing 89.7 ppg; they're #308 in experience, lost 90-82 at USC in their only game against a Pac-12 opponent.
Northern Iowa split its last six games; none of wins were by more than 8 points; Panthers are 2-3 vs top 100 teams, but wins were UNC/Iowa St, two best teams they've played. UNI is shooting 40% on arc (#26 in US). BYU G Fischer had 41 vs New Mexico last game, its first win in three top 100 games; Cougars are shooting 37.9% on arc (#64)- average total in their last four games is 172.
Not only does Auburn have to play in 3rd-place game, its true road game vs Hawai'i team that rallied back from 14 down to Oklahoma only to lose 84-81 in terrific game. Hawai'i's only two losses are to top 50 teams; they are shooting 57% inside arc, have #55 eFG%. Auburn lost three of its last five games; they force turnovers 20.1% of time, but other defensive #'s aren't as good. Tigers are 1-1 in true road games, losing at Xavier by 24.
Oklahoma showed grit after blowing 25-9 lead at Hawai'i, falling behind briefly then winning by 3; Sooners are 10-0, with all five wins vs teams outside top 100 by 23+ points. Sooners defend well without forcing TOs they have #4 eFG% defense, holding teams to 27.2% on arc, 40.2% inside it. Harvard lost 75-69 at Kansas Dec 5; they won't be in awe here-- they do turn ball over 22.3% of time, shoot only 59.4% on line.
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