Well, now we're into the business end of the tournament. The Sweet 16 is upon us. Will one of the most memorable and exciting tournaments in recent memory provide us more great games and classic moments? Let's hope so... as long as I walk home with the money. Let's get it on!West Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (5) Butler
-Syracuse has been perhaps the most surprisingly dominant team through their first 2 games in the NCAA tournament without Arinze Onuaku. Against Gonzaga, Orange superstar Wes Johnson scored 31, and the supporting guard play of Andy Rautins and Scoop Jardine has boosted the Cuse offense in the postseason. Butler meanwhile had more of a struggle getting by fellow mid-majors UTEP and then Murray State in a low scoring game.
Ironically, it may be the offense of Syracuse that sees them home here. Unlike most Butler teams, this group outside of Shelvin Mack aren't great 3 point shooters, which will hurt against the 2-3 zone. Unless Butler can really slow it down and make it a half court game, Syracuse can run and gun past the Bulldogs. I just don't see enough on offense for Butler to finally get past the Sweet 16. PICK - SYRACUSE
(6) Xavier vs (2) Kansas State
-This might be the one Sweet 16 matchup that nobody is talking about, but is very compelling. Did you know this is Xavier's 3rd straight Sweet 16? And that they're only 1 of 2 teams to accomplish that feat? (The other is Michigan State... yea, no Big East or ACC teams, hmm) Evidently there is some history here too with the teams with the teams trading big victories on their home courts the last 2 seasons, so it could be physical and intense.
This game comes down to the matchup in the backcourt - Jordan Crawford and Terrell Holloway for Xavier vs Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente for K State. This game might feature two of the best guard tandems in the NCAA Tournament. Both duos are explosive scorers and playmakers. But, Clemente and Pullen might just be a bit more dynamic, and play a little bit more defense... which could offset Xavier's previous tourney experience. It'll be close, but the pick is Kansas State.
East Regional
(11) Washington vs (2) West Virginia
-Poor Washington. They're not mid-major enough to be grouped in with the other Cinderellas as an 11 seed, but they're not good enough to be grouped in with the favorites from the big conferences either. They're almost like the Brady Quinn of NCAA Tournament teams... sorry Browns fans, too soon? West Virginia is another team added to the list of ones that have to deal with injuries, losing PG Truck Bryant this week in practice.
Washington will play similarly to Missouri and try to speed up the game against West Virginia. The difference is that Washington has an experienced and established scorer - Quincy Pondexter. Mizzou would have beat the Neers if they had any sort of consistent shooting. The WVU offense, which isn't exactly a Picasso to begin with, will feel the loss of Bryant and become discombobulated. Bob Huggins' teams never strike me as ones that have the poise to deal with adversity. Yes, somehow, Washington makes it to the Elite 8. PICK - WASHINGTON
(1) Kentucky vs (12) Cornell
-Who would have ever thunk that the most intriguing matchup in the Sweet 16 would ever feature the Big Red of the Nard Dog! A year ago, Cornell was just another nerd patrol team losing in the NCAA Tourney... and Kentucky was trying to pretend like the Billie Gillespie Era didn't exist. And yet, here we are, with two of the most explosive offenses in the country meeting in the Sweet 16. Cornell the ruthless, veteran executioners... UK the young, brash, explosive Showtime style.
Honestly, seeing Cornell in the Sweet 16 is no surprise. Temple and Wisconsin might have been the absolute perfect matchup for the Big Red. Cornell could play their style of basketball -outexecute, and outshoot those teams without fear of being dominated physically or athletically. Kentucky is a different story. Everyone says that we will see Kentucky falter because of their youth and immaturity, much like Memphis was finally exposed 2 years ago with Derrick Rose and co. They say that a team of freshmen can't win it all. Well, this UK team looks anything but a team of freshmen.
The key for UK is that John Wall isn't doing it himself anymore. Cousins and Patterson on the inside, and perhaps more importantly - Eric Bledsoe in the backcourt are giving Wall more than enough support. Kentucky will out run and out gun Cornell while having enough defensive muscle to push them around in the half-court defense. Now, Cornell is good enough at what they do that they will score their points and keep up with Big Blue for the most part. But, unless they shoot some ungodly percentage tonight, UK marches on. PICK - KENTUCKY
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