Thursday, March 25, 2010

Ranking the Sweet 16 Matchups (Hint: They Aren't All Sweet)

8-KANSAS STATE/XAVIER: This game probably has the least amount of buzz since (a) Xavier doesn't really have that huge of a following and (b) no one know what to think of Kansas State. Xavier, to me, has waaaaay exceeded expectations. Kansas State is powerful and have some of the best guard play left in this tournament. POST-GAME: I was completely wrong. This may be the game of the tournament thus far.

7-KENTUCKY/CORNELL: This may be the most intriguing matchup in the Sweet 16, but I don't think it will be that great a game. The Big Red will shoot their way into being down six-to-ten points for most of the game before a Kentucky run will end any hopes of an upset. Of course, it Cornell stays right with them to the very end, this will be the game to watch. I just don't see that happening. POST-GAME: I was right about this one. Kentucky kept Cornell at a safe distance for most of the game. What made it worse was that Kentucky really didn't look very sharp, either.

6-SYRACUSE/BUTLER: Another interesting game. I'm not high on Butler at all but all the basketball analysts seem to think they can pull this off. It will pique my interest but I think the Orange will move on fairly easily. POST-GAME: I guess I need to listen to those basketball analysts.

5-BAYLOR/ST MARY'S: Here are two teams making their first Sweet 16 appearances. Going into this tournament, most of the country couldn't name one player on either of these teams. Not now. The Gaels Omar Samhan has emerged as a star and it will be interesting to see him go up against Baylor's lengthy front line.

4-DUKE/PURDUE: This one is great. The issue though is how Purdue keeps in this game. The Boilermakers, remember, were one of the best teams in the nation until Robbie Hummell went down. If the other guys can step their game up (they have so far), they can stick with Duke's Big Three. Should be a really good one.

3-WEST VIRGINIA/WASHINGTON: This game looks a lot better when you take out the seedings. I've been big on these Mountaineers during this tournament, but now they've lost their point guard (though I don't think the drop off will be that jarring). Now factor in that Washington is rolling right now and have the talent to upend WVU. Then I factor in that the Big East hasn't looked that strong in this tournament (at least as advertised). I think this could be a thriller. POST-GAME: But it was not. West Virginia pretty much handled Washington for much of the second half.

2-MICHIGAN STATE/NORTHERN IOWA: No one knows where this is going. Both teams play physical tight games which should ensure that this one will go down to the wire. UNI is the darling of the tournament after they toppled Kansas. Tom Izzo is one of the best tournament coaches you will ever find. Even with Kalin Lucas out, Izzo will have the Spartans ready to rumble. Should be a great game!

1-OHIO STATE/TENNESSEE: The Buckeyes have now emerged as the team to beat in the Midwest Region. Tennessee is a giant killer, having beaten both Kansas and Kentucky this year (not to mention playing Kentucky two more times). This has great personalities in Bruce Pearl and Evan Turner. Neither team is very deep, so that will make for a emotional game.

My picks for the Elite Eight? Ohio State vs Northern Iowa, Syracuse vs Kansas State, Duke vs Baylor and Kentucky vs West Virginia.

No comments: