Well the game everyone anticipated is a day away. Unfortunately I did not make last nights game, however Ayalar went Kiddman style and people shared some great comments.
I look at this game as a game of errors. Somebody noted turnovers, that is not good to do against Salesian. Somebody noted rebounds, if they were offensive that works in Riordans favor especially in this matchup.
One thing that is tough is Salesian has played on the court a few times this year versus Riordan only once. So I would give that edge to Salesian, however if you think court wise CCC is similar to Riordan in a way. Sure you have the distance between the basket and wall looking left behind the benches, but the other direction is similar to Riordan. A hoop with much space behind it.
Looking at similar matchups:
Mitty:
Riordan beat Mitty by 20, other games were close and one in OT.
Salesian beat Mitty by 12.
Riordan 1-0
Branson:
Salesian went to OT and won by 3.
Riordan lost by 12. But didn’t have a full squad.
Riordan 1 Salesian .5
Clovis North:
Salesian dismantled them.
Riordan beat them by 12.
Riordan 1.5 Salesian 1.5
San Ramon Valley:
Riordan won by 12 in the Crusader Classic
Salesian beat them by 15.
Now when is the last time a team won the WCAL and had the league MVP, two other first team players, and did not win a tournament.
Salesian won Gridley, Meridian Idaho, and placed 3rd Damien Classic. Although they are not as talented, they beat more recruits.
Salesian 3.5 Riordan 1
Centennial:
Salesian beat Cen10 twice
Riordan beat Cen10 once but in my opinion played excellent. Sensley went for 23 if I recall.
Salesian 4 Riordan 2
Strength of Schedule:
No doubt Salesian played a much tougher schedule.
Salesian 4.5 Riordan 2
League:
Some said the WCAL was very down this year. And we know Salesian runs thru their league pretty much. However if we look at teams that advanced, Riordan has some strength here.
Salesian margins of victory. 47,45,37,20,40, 60,58,48,19,40,28
Riordan margins of victory. 44,27,17,19,3,11,
22,13,39,26,29,20,23,46,47
I am a WCAL guy, and a few teams showed well in NorCal. But Riordans second half of league, WOW.
Salesian 5 Riordan 4.5
Coaching:
Got to go with Mellis. I mean let’s ask ourselves. If Mellis coached Riordan would they be nationally ranked. My answer is yes. He scheduled better, but league is very so so. In Curtins defense he may have loaded up a tad more if he knew Sensley was coming back. I would assume his preseason schedule is done before school gets out. If Salesian fans think those blowouts are impressive they are not. Blowing out Serra, Bellarmine, SH, that’s impressive. And beating Mitty 3 times is icing on the cake.
Salesian 5.5 Riordan 5
Players:
If your in denial how many stars Riordan has and it being one of the most loaded teams, don’t know what to tell you. Salesian has a kid going to Hawaii, ironically to play under one of Riordans greats.
But Riordan has a kid going to St Mary’s, Eastern Washington, and Evansville. And Hillman, wouldn’t surprise me if he went prep. And a last name Tofi off the bench.
Salesian 6 Riordan 6
Who wins. After digging deep into the crystal ball the ball says. Game goes to overtime in a back and forth thriller of runs, errors, and big shots. And the team who has the most starters foul out loses.
However I feel this game is up in the air.
Riordan needs to limit turnovers against the press. And not allow Salesian to drain it from 3.
Salesian must control the boards on the defensive end. I have seen a few games where the other team gets quite a few second chance points and misses many second chance points. Riordan is the bigger team, this is important. If they run their offense it works. And it would be interesting if they switch it up defense wise some. I think in order to beat Riordan they have to frustrate them.
Hard to call. I will decide when the ball is tipped. Gonna be a great game.
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