Anthony Macri writes a Basketball Prospectus Unfiltered piece saying the Saints need to execute 3 keys:
1.) Ronald Moore controls tempo, turnovers and shot selection
2.) The Saints get production from everyone on the floor throughout the game, preventing the Cardinals from focusing their pressure on just one or two players
3.) Siena forces Louisville to work for points in the halfcourt, challenging shots and controlling the defense glass
There are some good points in this post on how Louisville is upset prone:
Louisville is a team that relies on creating opportunities to score with its defense. If a team is somehow able limit its turnovers and convert a decent (not necessarily an excellent) percentage of its shots, Louisville could experience some problems scoring in the halfcourt. Look back at their early season loss to Western Kentucky–a team that is built very similar to Siena, by the way–and see what happens to Louisville when their defense isn’t brilliant.
Siena COULD win, although the reality is that this would be a monumental upset in NCAA Tournament history. I’ll be rooting for them as hard as ever, but am ecstatic about this season no matter what happens today.
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As a Capital District resident, let me add that thousands of upstate Catholics have been in church today asking The Big Basketball Fan Above for a big miracle at 5:20. I do believe the Saints have the possibility…
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[...] that Siena was going to beat Louisville by 10 but we did recognize the facts: Siena had a great shot to beat the Cardinals and almost [...]