Hawai’i isn’t just in the NCAA Tournament as a feel-good story from a one-bid conference. Its 27-5 record and No. 61 KenPom ranking are no flukes. The Warriors are a mere 7-point underdog against a Cal team that has as much talent as any team in the country. Vegas knows Hawai’i is dangerous.
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Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors +7
Cal Golden Bears -7
Over/Under: 143.5
HOW THE HAWAI’I RAINBOW WARRIORS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
With a postseason ban for the 2016-17 season looming, there is a sense of urgency attached to the Warriors for the remainder of this year. When NCAA sanctions were levied against the program in December, the players could have looked elsewhere. They didn’t.
The gang stuck together and three months later, the Rainbow Warriors are Big West champions and find themselves a trendy 13 over 4 upset pick in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Evan Ganot coordinated an offense as an assistant at St. Mary’s that was regularly one of the most efficient in the nation. His system is perfect for 6-11 Stefan Jankovic, the Big West Player of the Year, who is a nightmare to defend.
Scoring guards Roderick Bobbitt and Aaron Valdes excel coming off Jankovic’s screens and as a result Hawai’iled the Big West in scoring with nearly 80 points per game. The Warriors need to be effective in their sets against Cal’s tough defense to have a chance.
HOW THE CAL GOLDEN BEARS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
While the talk surrounding the Cal basketball team should be on the assortment of talented players and the program’s highest seeding ever in the NCAA Tournament, coach Cuonzo Martin must now deflect the media storm regarding the firing of one of his assistants.
On the court the Bears have been solid. They led the Pac-12 in scoring defense, surrendering just 67 points per game, while holding opponents to 39.3 percent shooting. They need to be careful not to underestimate the potent Rainbow Warriors.
Cal played well down the stretch, winning eight of its final nine regular season games, and the development of freshmen forwards Ivan Rabb and Jaylen Brown was a major reason why. The two can score, but must defend against Jankovic.
The Bears’ veteran backcourt features a trio of sharpshooters in Tyrone Wallace, who averaged 15.3 points and 4.4 assists, Jordan Matthews and Jabari Bird. Not only will they be counted on to supply offense, they must slow down Hawaii’s backcourt.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Let’s face it, like most mid-majors, Hawai’i gets overlooked, and coming from a one-bid NCAAB conference, the Warriors have been in scramble mode since the Big West tournament. Cal, meanwhile, knew it was going to the dance long before the Bears lost in the Pac-12 semis, so there wasn’t much urgency in their game. And just days before the tournament opener, the Bears are faced with a monumental distraction.
Like so many others in college athletics, Hawai’i’s players have been penalized by the actions of others. Jankovic, Valdes and forward Mike Thomas all have a year of eligibility remaining. What that final year holds remains to be seen. But the Rainbow Warriors have made the most of an unfortunate situation, and there’s a chance they’re not done.
Hawai’i 73, Cal 69
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