NCAA Basketball: 2018 Hall of Fame Belfast Classic preview and predictions

BOISE, ID - MARCH 15: CJ Massinburg #5 of the Buffalo Bulls reacts in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: CJ Massinburg #5 of the Buffalo Bulls reacts during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Storylines and player to watch

Goliath Bracket

In the Goliath bracket, each opening round has a storyline to keep an eye on. In the matchup between San Francisco and Stephen F. Austin, the key could be on the boards. The Dons rank 2nd in the country in rebounding margin (16.8) and are 3rd in the country in defensive rebounds per game (32.83). They have five players pulling down at least four boards per game, led by McCarthy and his 9.5. Unfortunately for Stephen F. Austin, rebounding is where they struggle. The Lumberjacks grab just 21.8 defensive rebounds, ranking them 327th out of 351 teams.

In the game between Milwaukee and Buffalo, a big key will be can Milwaukee protect the ball against a ball-hawking Bulls squad. Buffalo has committed the 29th fewest turnovers (56) while forcing the 31st most at 17.8. The Bulls also rank 42nd in turnovers committed per game (11) and 13th in turnover margin at 6.6.

Like Stephen F. Austin, Milwaukee will face a big uphill battle when it comes to turnovers against Buffalo. While the Panthers’ 12 turnovers per game is a good number, they only force 9.83 per game, 347th worst in the country. Milwaukee only grabs four steals per game, and with a turnover margin of -2.0, the Panthers will have to cherish the ball like they have been unable to so far this season if they hope to have a chance against Buffalo.

The player to watch in the Goliath bracket is San Francisco senior point guard Frankie Ferrari. The diminutive 6-0 native of Burlingame, CA averaged just nine minutes per game in his first season and now he is averaging 10.8 points per game in 28.5 minutes and dishing out 6.2 assists, which is the 22nd best number in the country. Ferrari also only commits 1.2 turnovers per game, putting his 5.29 assist-to-turnover ratio as 10th best in the country. The matchup between Ferrari and the Lumberjacks’ Bogues should be a joy to watch.

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