(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
So the first weekend is done, and the Sweet Sixteen is finally upon us.
All top three seeds from each region are still alive, with no cinderella or Davidson in sight.
While the other 48 teams are at home watching the games on television, the remaining 16 continue dancing, with the ultimate goal of making it to the Final Four.
With a couple of great marquee matchups, this round is sure to be a dandy, and here's how I look for it to turn out.
Midwest Region
(1)Louisville vs. (12)Arizona
Arizona keeps proving me wrong. I don't know how, but for some reason Nic Wise, Chase Budinger, and Jordan Hill have finally decided to play up to their potential.
These Wildcats we've seen in the first two rounds could possibly knock off the top-seeded Cardinals if Pitino's group isn't careful. However, Pitino is the more skilled and experienced coach, and the Cardinals are the more talented team with Clark, Sosa, Williams, Samuels, and McGee all playing well so far this postseason.
Louisville is the first team that can match the athleticism of Arizona, so the Wildcats will likely be headed back to Tuscon this weekend. Of course, I've been wrong about them twice so far.
Louisville 83, Arizona 75
(2)Michigan State Vs. (3)Kansas
This will be a fine matchup, indeed. However, I give the slight edge to Tom Izzo's group because of their bench production down the stretch. Kansas has been impressive so far in the first two rounds, but they have relied heavily on the stellar play of Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich to push them into the Sweet Sixteen.
The Spartans counter the Jayhawks' attack with 11 players that average at least 24 minutes a game, and the key to good defense down the stretch is fresh legs. They also have great scorers in Kalin Lucas, Goran Suton, Durrell Summers, and Raymar Morgan.
Michigan State will be more rested in the second half, and unless Aldrich and Collins can light up the stat sheet and play great defense, I don't think Bill Self's team will be defending its title any longer.
Michigan State 69, Kansas 60
West Region
(1)Connecticut vs. (5)Purdue
Every ounce of hoops fan in me is screaming to take the upset and go with Purdue. However, I just can't pick against a team that is playing as well as UConn, or players who are dominating like A.J. Price and Hasheem Thabeet are. Calhoun or no Calhoun, this team means business and are here to get the job done.
On the other side, the Boilermakers have won two thrillers to get past Northern Iowa and Washington behind the play of E'Twaun Moore and JuJuan Johnson. Add Robbie Hummel to the mix and you've got yourself a solid, determined group of guys.
This one is tough, it really is. I think it will have the feel of a Final Four matchup, coming down to whoever limits mistakes better. Advantage, UConn.
Connecticut 75, Purdue 68
(2)Memphis vs. (3)Missouri
John Calipari has his team playing good basketball down the stretch, and could very well ruin UConn's hopes of getting to the Final Four this year. However, they need to get past a confident Mizzou team first.
Leo Lyons, Demarre Carroll, Matt Lawerence, and Kim English have been solid so far this tournament, and if you're going to stop them from scoring you need to do one thing well—make your shots.
Marquette shot a lowly 38 percent from the floor against the Tigers, and Mizzou answered with sheer athleticism as they were able to push the ball down the court and get easy baskets.
Memphis, on the other hand, is not Marquette. These Tigers shot 58 percent from the floor, 77 percent from the line, 52 percent from behind the arc. Tyreke Evans and Robert Dozier have been great complementing each other all season, and their first two games of the tournament have been even more fun to watch.
This one is simple. If Memphis shoots like they did against Maryland, Missouri has no chance. If they don't, the score will almost be as similar as their mascots.
Memphis 85, Missouri 69
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