By ESPN.com | ESPN.com
Each day, some of our college hoops experts discuss the biggest issues, trends and themes in and around college basketball.
1. Notre Dame ranks 145th nationally in points allowed. Is Thursday the day the Irish's defense finally catches up to them?
Andy Katz: Possibly. Wichita State doesn't just play defense angry. The Shockers are aggressive offensively and will possibly challenge the Irish physically more so than previous teams. But I'm still picking the Irish.
Eamonn Brennan: My first instinct is to say yes, because I'm just not sure how deep you can go in the tournament with a defense that ranked ninth or worse in field goal defense, turnovers, and rebounding in ACC play. But the Irish are really, really good on the offensive end, good enough that they can usually -- if not always -- win the shootouts. And they're strangely, counterintuitively competent defensively, especially in big spots. I think the biggest issue Thursday will be Wichita State's defense, and the relatively straightforward matchups the Shockers have on that end of the floor, matchups that stand in opposition to ostensibly bigger teams that end up having to pick their poison with how they want to guard Pat Connaughton playing out of the corners.
Myron Medcalf: Maybe. But they won the ACC tourney with it. And their offense has been so thorough that they've overcome their defensive challenges most of the season. Still a hard team to beat.
2. How will Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky deal with North Carolina's lengthy frontcourt?
Katz: The Tar Heels will need to worry about guarding him on the perimeter. He has to stay out of foul trouble and can't chase the Tar Heels down court. Stopping the transition buckets will be key for Kaminsky to stay out of trouble. If the game is in the half court, then Kaminsky can hold his own fine.
Brennan: By being the best player in college basketball? Too simple, that? Right. I agree that UNC is one of the few teams in the country with bigs both long and athletic enough to comfortably guard Kaminsky to the perimeter, and the Tar Heels' size in the backcourt (meaning J.P. Tokoto, basically) does give them another piece to throw at the Badgers out top. But even if Kaminsky struggles, UW has the edge, because they take care of the ball, rebound at their own end of the floor and force teams to beat them possession for possession in the half court. Do we really think UNC can go blow-for-blow in that kind of game? For 40 minutes?
Medcalf: He'll have Nigel Hayes and Sam Dekker to help him. But it won't be easy. Kennedy Meeks' status will be a factor too.
3. Opinions on the first game in Cleveland seem to vary. Does West Virginia keep it close? Or is it Kentucky in a rout?
Katz: The Mountaineers keep it close for 35 minutes before the second gear of Kentucky pulls away. Kentucky doesn't get into foul trouble. That could be a major concern for West Virginia.
Brennan: Kentucky in a rout. With all due respect to West Virginia's press-and-rebound style, Bob Huggins' decision to adapt his long-standing grinder style to fit his personnel this season, and the exuberance of Daxter Miles, the Wildcats won't have too many problems breaking the press. Tyler Ulis, Aaron and Andrew Harrison, and Devin Booker are all capable ball handlers, and they're just the guards. Trey Lyles, at 6-foot-10, can advance the ball in press breaks; UK has a major height advantage and can drop bigs back and just pitch over the top; and John Calipari will have had five days to prepare his players for the havoc to come. UK will march on.
Medcalf: I don't get all the hype. It's as if folks think Kentucky only gets to play offense. How will West Virginia score over 40 minutes? That matters, too. Kentucky by double digits.
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