Eamonn Brennan likes MU

[Eldon]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/tournament/2013/story/_/id/9065077/previewing-2013-ncaa-tournament-east-region-college-basketball

First Impressions

If Butler and Marquette survive their Round of 64 opponents, we'll get to see another impeccably scouted, well-waged game -- and a rematch of Butler's thrilling November win in Maui.

4. Of course, that's if Marquette wins. You would expect the Golden Eagles to, not only because they are the No. 3-seed (obviously) but also because they are an excellent offensive team playing a just-OK Davidson D. But here's the thing: Davidson's defense might be average, but its offense is the real deal. Forwards Jake Cohen and De'Mon Brooks lead the way on the front line -- they'll give Marquette big man Davante Gardner some serious issues -- and the rest of the Fightin' Steph Currys are pretty good, too. To wit: Senior guard Nik Cochran shot 48.5 percent from 3 this season and posted the highest true shooting percentage in the country. Marquette will be favored, and rightfully so, but the gap between these two teams isn't half as wide as the seeds say.


Five Players to Watch

Davante Gardner, Marquette: Shooting guard Vander Blue will get the ball late in the game, but Gardner -- a 6-foot-8, 290-pound junior who has morphed from an overweight freshman project with soft hands and quick feet into an efficient, foul-drawing workhorse on the low block -- will get Marquette to winning time in the first place.

Three Round of 32 games to watch

1. Marquette-Butler: A rematch of our first buzzer-beater of the season (Rotnei Clarke, in Maui) and a great tactical and stylistic matchup between two of the smartest young coaches around.

Possible future matchups

1. Indiana vs. Butler: Even in a comparatively less stacked region, it's never easy for top seeds to advance. And Butler might be a long shot to get past Marquette, let alone Miami.

3. Marquette-Syracuse: Big East! ACC! Loud noises about conference realignment! A chance to see Gardner play at the top of the key against the 2-3 zone, which he did in Marquette's Feb. 25 win over the Orange! Yes, please.

I would LOVE to meet up with Cuse deep in the tourney (I'm dreaming, I know, but still)