NCAA Basketball: 2019 Emerald Coast Classic preview and predictions

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MARCH 30: Aaron Wheeler #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts after a call against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Bracket A

Florida State (5-1)

After falling to Pitt in their season opener, Florida State has reeled off five straight wins heading into this tournament, including handily beating Florida by 12. They are led by senior Trent Forrest who has averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.7assists, leading the Seminoles in assists. Sophomore Devin Vassell is off to a tremendous start averaging a team-leading 12.3 points per game and had 13 points and six rebounds in the win over Florida. Freshman forward Patrick Williams is also off to a good start with his 10.8 points and 3.8 rebounds. As always defense and rebounding have been key for Florida State, surrendering 60 points per game and outrebounding their opponents 37.7 to 30.7 so far this season.

Purdue (3-2)

Like Florida State, Purdue stumbled a bit out of the starting gate this season, losing two of their first three to Texas and Marquette. But since then, they’ve beaten Chicago State and Jacksonville State to end up at 3-2. Senior Jahaad Proctor has led the backcourt with 15.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and shooting 50.8% from the field, and junior big man Matt Haarms has been a force in the middle. The 7-3 Haarms is adding 12 points and 3.4 blocks per game but doesn’t lead the team in rebounding, that honor goes to sophomore Aaron Wheeler and his eight boards per game.

Tennessee (5-0)

Tennessee is a slightly different team from the one that lost to Purdue in the Sweet Sixteen last year. Rick Barnes does return plenty of talent and the 5-0 Volunteers are ranked No. 17 in the country, have a win over No. 20 Washington, and have four players averaging double figures. Senior Jordan Bowden leads the team in scoring with 16.6 points and adds 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists, but the straw that has stirred the Tennessee drink so far this season has been senior guard Lamonte Turner who has averaged 13.6 points, four rebounds, and a team-high 9.2 assists, which is 2nd best in the country.

VCU (6-0)

The Atlantic 10 has had a bit of a 2019 Pac-12 start to their season with some teams suffering bad losses, but VCU isn’t one of those teams as they enter the Emerald Coast Classic 6-0 and have a win over No. 23 LSU. While Marcus Evans might be the Rams’ best player, and he’s having a good season with 15.2 points, 3.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and is shooting 51.7% from beyond the arc, it is junior Marcus Santos-Silva who has grabbed the proverbial ram by the horns this season.

The 6-7 250lb. junior forward is netting 11.5 points, a team-leading 10.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.5 blocks, and even 1.7 steals on the season. The VCU defense has been the calling card for the Rams, holding opponents to 61.8 points per game, while they shoot just 39.7% from the field, and VCU earns an eye-popping 12.2 steals per game, which is 3rd best in the game.

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