Eastern Kentucky March Breakdown

Typically I have a lot of respect for Ohio Valley representatives and Eastern Kentucky (24-9, 11-5) will play hard next week, hit some shots and compete. Their rpi is 99 and bpi is 140 and are now ranked 22 in the mid majors poll. But they cannot board (26.2 per which is 350th in country) and it is hard to fathom their upsetting a 2 or 3 seed if they cannot stop the other team's bigs. Against North Carolina State earlier in the season they got blown out on the scoreboard and on the glass (44-29) and Wolfpack star T.J. Warren scored 30. So remember that when you see the seeding for the Colonels: if they pull a high seed that does not board well themselves then be bullish, if not then pass and elevate the other team's bigs. Also keep an eye on their opponents' FG% on defense as the colonels can shoot (49%, 10th in NCAA). The team's top five scorers are guards, led by Glenn Cosey (18.8 ppg, 18.7 ppg last 7, 43%FG-43% 3pters-84% FT). The Colonels ride the hot hand and if not Cosey it should be Corey Walden (14.1, 17, 50-33-83), who had a great Ohio Valley tournament and comes into the NCAA tourney on the heels of 24 and 29-pt outbursts. The next two scorers share a spot and can be avoided. Marcus Lewis (9.9, 6, 53-33-57) has been losing time to Orlando Williams (9.6, 9.3, 49-42-78). Should Eastern have a favorable first round match-up then Tarius Johnson (9.5, 16, 48-42-71) would make a great sleeper as he really has come on of late.