NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: Predicting the Teams That Will Move on
There are some very interesting games in the Sweet 16 this year. We have a rematch from last year's tournament (Florida vs. BYU) that went two overtimes. We have a game between two double-digit seeds (Florida State vs. VCU), which means there will be a double-digit seed playing for a berth in the Final Four.
We have a great team going against a great player in a couple of games (Arizona vs. Duke and UConn vs. San Diego State). We have the darling of last year's tournament going up against a very good, but largely under-the-radar team (Butler vs. Wisconsin).
We also have two double-digit seeds trying to pull off the huge upset against tournament favorites (Kansas vs. Richmond and Marquette vs. North Carolina).
Then there is the overall tournament favorite against the young, but talented team from a border state. Two fanbases that don't like each other but rarely play each other will face off this week (Ohio State vs. Kentucky).
Here are my predictions for the Sweet 16.
Connecticut vs. San Diego State
1 of 8
We've been waiting for UConn to run out of gas. We waited every day of the Big East tournament. It didn't happen. We've waited through two rounds of the NCAA tournament. It hasn't happened.
This is where it happens. San Diego State has enough defense to stop Kemba Walker and his troops.
San Diego State 72, UConn 68
Brigham Young vs. Florida
2 of 8
A rematch of last year's double-overtime thriller, this time Florida will get the best of the Fightin' Jimmers. This is a game where Brandon Davies' loss will affect BYU. Florida has a big and agile front line that will have its way in the paint. And Florida's backcourt is no slouch, either.
Jimmer will get his points, but BYU will have a difficult time stopping the Gators.
Florida 85, BYU 74
Arizona vs. Duke
3 of 8
This will be a good one. Arizona and Derrick Williams against the defending national champion Blue Devils.
Arizona will give Duke a battle as Williams will go off for a big game, but Duke will hold off the Cats in the end.
Duke 77, Arizona 70
Butler vs. Wisconsin
4 of 8
Butler vs. Wisconsin.
If you like college basketball, this game is for you. You won't see a buck of future NBA superstars in this one, but you'll see two teams with a lot of fight. No reason to suspect this one won't go down to the final buzzer. If it does, you have to like Butler. They seem to be able to win those types of games.
Butler 69, Wisconsin 68
Marquette vs. North Carolina
5 of 8
North Carolina has a disturbing pattern of starting off slowly. The Tar Heels did it throughout the ACC tournament, and have done it so far in the NCAA tournament. Eventually, this will cost them, but not in the Sweet 16. This is the round we say farewell to the Big East.
North Carolina 75, Marquette 68
Richmond vs. Kansas
6 of 8
It seems like no other team has an easier path to the Final Four than Kansas, as the other three teams in this region are double-digit seeds. But wait, that means these teams are used to pulling off the upset.
If Kansas thinks this will be easy, it better think again. Richmond will play the Jayhawks tough, but Kansas will get it together just in time and pull away at the end.
Kansas 80, Richmond 67
Virginia Commonwealth vs. Florida State
7 of 8
Two double-digit seeds go at it for a chance to play for a Final Four spot. VCU coach Shaka Smart was a one-time assistant coach at Florida, so he's seen FSU before.
FSU loves a grind-it-out game. The Seminoles are stifling on defense. Look for Derwin Kitchen to make a big shot and Chris Singleton to make a key defensive play in this one.
Florida State 62, VCU 59
Kentucky vs. Ohio State
8 of 8
You look at this game and think, "This is going to be a great game." It won't be.
Ohio State is the class of the field. Not only will the Buckeyes win this game by at least 15 points, they will win three more by at least that much.
The Buckeyes have the best inside player in the country in Jared Sullinger, and everybody else on the team can knock down shots.
Ohio State 80, Kentucky 62
