Comparing the opponents

As I’ve discussed in this blog all week, I differ with the NCAA tournament committee’s decision to seed Villanova higher than Temple in the upcoming tournament. However, regardless of what I believe, it’s going to come down to whichever team goes further. Matchups or not, the best teams usually advance the farthest in the tournament, so now it’s time to turn my attention to the opposition. In the interest of not looking ahead, I’ll only look at the opponents for the first round at this time.

No. 2 Villanova vs. No. 15 Robert Morris
South Region
Thursday, 12:30 p.m.

The Colonials began the season 0-3, and finished 20-11 before winning the Northeast Conference championship. They defeated Quinnipiac, 52-50, in the tournament final. They are making their second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, and are led by freshmen Karon Abraham, who has 13.4 points per game. They have won just one tournament game, defeating Georgia Southern in 1983.

No. 5 Temple vs. No. 12 Cornell
East Region
Friday, 12:30 p.m.

Cornell is the only team in this year’s tournament that legitimately earned its automatic bid, winning the Ivy League, the only conference that determines its champion during the regular season. Cornell was 27-4 this year, one loss less than Temple, and won their third straight conference title. Three of those losses came to Big East teams Seton Hall and Syracuse, and national title favorite Kansas, 71-66. Kansas beat Temple, 84-52.
Senior Ryan Wittman leads the Big Red with 17.5 points per game for a team that is generally recognized as having its best season in team history.

I see no reason Villanova should lose in the first round. There is speculation that Cornell could upset Temple, as always happens with a 5-12 matchup. If it were a regular season game, I’d pick Temple and I’m not going to change my mind now.