NCAA Basketball: 2019 Battle 4 Atlantis preview and predictions
By Adam Childs
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Gonzaga has been one of the most consistent programs in the country over the last decade or more and this year is no different. In a year when expectations were down a little for the Bulldogs, they are playing better than expected.
This was all done without their best player Killian Tillie who just returned from injury. The Bulldogs are 5-0 and won their first four games by at least 30 points. They had a tough game with UT Arlington their last time out winning by just six but that is more an anomaly than the norm.
The Bulldogs have a whopping six guys averaging double figures, led by Filip Petrusev who is scoring 16.6 points per game. The balance the Bulldogs are showing so far is ridiculous and bodes well for a tournament where you play three games in three days. The Bulldogs come in as one of the favorites for this tournament.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Southern Miss is really struggling right now as they enter the tournament just 1-3 with their only win coming against Delta State. They have lost to South Alabama, North Florida, and were blown out by Iowa State.
Not much has gone right for the Golden Eagles thus far this year and it probably won’t get much better in the Bahamas. They are led by Boban Jacdonmi who is averaging 16.8 points per game but he is one of just two guys scoring in double figures.
Oregon Ducks
The Ducks have been one of the most impressive teams so far in the early part of the season. They are 4-0 including a great win against a very good Memphis team (one that had James Wiseman playing) on November 12th.
Besides their close game with the Tigers, they have won each game by at least 14 points and they haven’t even been that close. The Ducks were a popular Final Four pick before the season started but still had some questions. They are answering those and more so far this year.
Senior guard Payton Pritchard is leading a group of three guys averaging double figures. He is scoring just over 20 points per game and hasn’t scored less than 14 all year. He is one of the most experienced players in this tournament and should be an advantage for the Ducks moving forward.
Seton Hall Pirates
The Pirates might have the best player in the country on their team in Myles Powell. He suffered a sprained ankle against Saint Bonaventure, but it didn’t slow him down the next game as he went out and scored 37 points in their near-upset of the Michigan State Spartans.
When Powell is playing like that, the Pirates have a shot to beat anybody in the country and he could be the number one attraction in the Bahamas during this tournament.
Overall Powell is averaging 22.5 points per game while pulling down 4.5 rebounds per game. Sandro Mamukelashvili is the next leading scorer for Seton Hall at 13.5 points per game and Quincy McKnight is chipping in 10 a game. The Pirates have a tough first game with Oregon in what could be the game of the tournament.