One thing that I like about this matchup is that Nova has not played a team that plays defense like we do. With our length on the perimeter and the physical toughness inside, we will do wonders in preparing them for conference play. That being said, Nova has traditionally found a way to win against bigger, more physical teams on a fairly consistent basis in BIG East play. This should be an exciting defensive game. I expect several blocks out of our bigs and I expect our guards to be in their hip pocket the entire game. I just hope that the refs don't call that nit-picky junk like the first round games. Usually in tourney finals the refs are a lot more likely to let the small stuff slide and let the teams play, which should work to our advantage. If we can keep the Nova guards from getting the old fashioned 3pt plays, and keep up the defensive intensity on the perimeter and don't give them good looks from behind the arc, this is a very winnable* game IMO. Should be a close one and I look forward to this great early season matchup and hope we can finally take home some hardware!!!
Go Vols!!!