My Sweet 16 Predictions

Thursday, March 26th:

(5) Purdue vs (1) Connecticut: Purdue. This pick is a complete hunch on my part. I'm not a huge fan of Connecticut this year and feel like Purdue plays the tough gritty style like a Pitt to give UConn a serious challenge. UConn is a horrible 3 point shooting team, so if Kramer or Jackson can stay with AJ Price, the Huskies really have no other legitimate threats other than the 30% 3 point shooter Craig Austrie.

Jajuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore and Robbie Hummel are all going to have to play solid games and stay out of foul trouble. Jeff Adrien and Hasheem Thabeet have huge size advantages on Hummel and Johnson, but Purdue seems to be able to overcome size with toughness and solid defense. Purdue's Lewis Jackson is going to have to play a masterful game at point guard and continuously drive into the heart of UConn's defense and kick the ball out to 3 point shooters. He or Chris Kramer will also have to play solid defense on AJ Price because he can go off for 30 on any given night. If Purdue drains their 3s and draws Thabeet into foul trouble or frustrates him, they can win this game.

(4) Xavier vs (1) Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh. Xavier may play solid defense but Pitt is simply going to be too much to handle. Levance Fields played very well against Oklahoma State with 13 points and 9 assists, only letting up 2 turnovers while being guarded by Byron Eaton who had 5 steals in the game. Xavier does have depth with their forwards but none are as talented in the post as Dejuan Blair. Xavier will give them a run for their money but Pittsburgh will pull out an 8 to 10 point win in the end.

(3) Missouri vs (2) Memphis: Memphis. This should be a high-scoring exciting game similarly to Marquette/Memphis. The teams are fairly evenly matched but Memphis definiely has a decided edge in the backcourt with Tyreke Evans and Antonio Anderson. DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons will need to dominate the post if Missouri wants to win this game, where Memphis' starters of Robert Dozier and Shawn Taggart are also strong. Dozier seems to get in foul trouble often so that will be the game's X-Factor. If he stays on the floor for the majority of the game, Memphis will win this game.

(3) Villanova vs (2) Duke: Villanova. Duke pulled out a win against Texas on Saturday but their run is going to end here. Villanova is a very versatile, tough, athletic team. Duke is definitely a softer team and they are going to get pushed around in this game. Dante Cunningham is going to have a big game against Kyle Singler and Villanova simply has too many reliable scoring options for Duke to account for. Villanova will consistently drive into the paint and will be able to create openings for teammates at the 3-point line or simply take the ball themselves and score. Duke's frontcourt is very weak so I'd expect Villanova to be going inside a lot.

Friday, March 27:

(12) Arizona vs (1) Louisville: Louisville. Arizona only has 3 reliable players, Louisville's depth is going to spell the end of Arizona's run. If Arizona wins this game, Nic Wise is going to have to play extremely well against the unreliable backcourt of Louisville. Edgar Sosa and Andre McGee aren't exactly world-beaters, and wise should consistenly be able to cause trouble for them. Jordan Hill and Budinger will also have to put up 20+ point performances if Arizona expects to compete, much less win this game.


(3) Syracuse vs (2) Oklahoma: Syracuse. This will be a very interesting matchup, I really like both of these teams. Syracuse would like to throw big bodies at Blake Griffin and continuously send him to the line or draw him into committing early fouls. Arinze Onuaku of Syracuse has the size to give Blake Griffin trouble and will need to disrupt Griffin to help Syracuse win this game.Jonny Flynn is a quicker and better point guard than Austin Johnson so Syracuse has a decided advantage there. Both teams have valid 3-point shooting threats and solid second scorers in Willie Warren of Oklahoma and Eric Devendorf of Syracuse. This will be a close game and one to keep your eye on surely.

(3) Kansas vs (2) Michigan State: Michigan State. Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich are playing their best basketball of the season but Michigan State is a veteran-laden team that will pull this game out. Kalin Lucas is an amazing pointguard and will pose an interesting matchup for Sherron Collins. Goran Suton has to shoot better than 1/10 as he did against USC, and will provide a much needed scorer for the Spartans. Raymar Morgan needs to show up as well and put up a 15-20 point game.

(4) Gonzaga vs (1) North Carolina: North Carolina. This should be a fairly easy win for North Carolina, I simply don't believe Gonzaga has the talent to match up with the Tar Heels. Wayne Ellington should go off in this game, possibly for 30 points. If Gonzaga wants a chance to win, they need Pargo to dominate Ty Lawson and for Josh Heytvelt to draw fouls inside on Tyler Hansbrough.