Time to Scout

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Okay Bearcat fans, Villanova and South Florida tip off in an hour and UC should be watching with much interest as they have the winner. It's nice to have a bye and be able to scout two teams that are playing bad basketball right now and know you play one tomorrow. Villanova is capable of beating the Bearcats, USF not so much. However Villanova's best two players are hurt and you wonder if their coach plays them sparingly to get them healed for the NCAA tournament. With Fisher and Stokes hurting, a deep run in this tournament would not be ideal for Villanova. They are going to get into the NCAA Tournament, and a deep run in the Big East Tournament would only beat them up more and give them less time to rest players.

UC plays nine players double digit minutes and gets little dropoff with players coming off the bench. That means our players are fresher right now, better equipped to run through a tournament like this, and can withstand an injury unless it's to Cashmere Wright. Anyway don't be suprised if South Florida pulls the upset tonight. Like I said, Villanova stands to gain very little by winning games in this tournament other than what their seed is in the NCAA's, and they aren't going to get a top seed regardless with how poor they've been playing lately.

Update:
Villanova is up 15 at the half, South Florida jumped out to a 10 point lead early only to see Nova end the half on a 28-7 run. I'm hopeful South Florida can at least get this thing close and force Villanova to play their starters the entire game. Especially Fisher and Stokes who have been hurt and are somewhat out of shape. That could be huge if they can stay up by double digits and sit those two the majority of the second half. If South Florida makes any kind of run and can get this thing to within seven or eight, I like UC's chances tomorrow against a Nova team with their best two Guards worn out. I still think Cincy is playing better right now and should be the favorites, but if they get a worn down Fisher and Stokes they could blow Villanova out and rest their key guys for the match up against Notre Dame on Thursday.