They might not be a top seed but UConn might be one of the most feared teams in the 2011 NCAA Tournament going in. Kemba Walker and the Huskies ran roughshod over the Big East to win the Conference Tournament with five victories in five days. The Huskies know by now not to look ahead when it comes to the 2011 NCAA Tournament schedule and focus on what's right in front of them. The question 14-seed Bucknell is asking itself is, "Do they have anything left in the tank?" We'll find out when the two tip at 7:20 p.m. on Thursday night on TNT.
NCAA Bracket Preview, Predictions: No. 3 UConn Vs. No. 14 Bucknell
Obviously the Huskies need Kemba Walker to stay hot for the Huskies if they want to make a run. That said, it's not all about Kemba. Sophomore big man Alex Oriakhi had a huge Big East tournament as well and Jeremy Lamb will make teams pay on the perimeter.
Bucknell hasn’t been to the tournament since the mid 2000s, but in those years they earned a reputation as upset specialists. Their first round defeat of No. 3 seed Kansas in 2005 is still considered one of the great tournament upsets of the past decade. The following year they upset Arkansas. But can they be giant killers this season?
Star Watch: Kemba Walker, but then again you already knew that, right? The Michael Jordan of college hoops finishers looks to keep his amazing run going by turning UConn's Big East Tournament success into NCAA success. His 130 points during the BET obliterated the old scoring record of 84, previously held by Syracuse’s Eric Devendorf.
Prediction: There’s something to be said for the physical and emotional fatigue five-straight days of playing takes. UConn will struggle but they’ll persevere thanks to Walker, 81-77.
More Reading: SB Nation’s aptly-named UConn blog The UConn Blog will have everything you need to read about the Huskies. And you can check out our Bucknell team preview for more on the Bison.
Need help picking your bracket? Check out SB Nation’s full 2011 NCAA Tournament bracket predictions, picking every game of March Madness, or our region by region breakdowns for the East Region, West Region, Southeast Region, and Southwest Region.
Did your team miss the 2011 NCAA Tournament? We have you covered: check out the 2011 NIT bracket.
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