NCAA Tournament Scores 2012: Sweet 16 Predictions

The Sweet Sixteen is on the horizon and the gap between the elite and the cinderellas really isn’t very big.

As we go through the predictions of each game, remember that only one game looks to be a blowout, which means the lack of buzz-beaters and overtime games is about to come to an end.

No. 4 Wisconsin 64, No. 1 Syracuse 61

The Badgers are going to limit the fastbreak offense the Orange are so reliant on and that will mess with the flow of their offense. The other problem is that the Badgers, led by senior point guard sensation Jordan Taylor, rarely turnover the ball.

The ‘Cuse thrive on creating TO’s and without fastbreak’s and forced turnovers the Badgers are going to control the tempo and take advantage of the soft spot in the middle of the 2-3 zone.

This is the game where Fab Melo’s absence really hurts.

No. 1 Michigan State 57, No. 4 Louisville 52

Two of the best rebounding teams in the country square off in what could be the most physical game of the entire tournament.

The difference is Draymond Green.

The senior do-everything forward for the Spartans is by far the best player on the floor and will be the guy in one-on-one situations in the waning minutes to come away with points.

I don’t trust the Cardinals to match him.

No. 2 Ohio State 71, No. 6 Cincinnati 62 OT

This has the makings of a defensive battle on paper, but I think Cashmere Wright is able to dominate the pace of the action and force the Buckeyes into a halftime deficit.

But in the second half I think the outstanding defense of Aaron Craft and Jared Sullinger stifle a weak shooting Cincinnati team to send it into OT.

From there I like Sullinger to handle Yancy Gates in the post to ensure he doesn’t have a second-straight disappointing Sweet Sixteen exit.

No. 7 Florida 81, No. 3 Marquette 77

The Gators have won two tournament games by a combined 60 points and is the hottest team entering the second weekend.

It’s been a complete team effort and with a tourney-tested coach in Billy Donovan around, this team is incredible dangerous. The Final Four is a realistic option right now.

No. 10 Xavier 66, No. 3 Baylor 63

The Muskies are led by two of the best guards in the country in Tu Holloway and Mark Lyons. They are terrific in dribble-drive situations that free up their perimeter shooters and create favorable matchups inside.

The one weakness for Baylor is their perimeter defense and there is no way Brady Heslip hits nine three-pointers again.

Xavier has made the Sweet Sixteen in four of the last five years as nerves will not be an issue.

No 1 North Carolina 78, No. 13 Ohio 77

As an OU alum, it pains me to say that the talent of the Tar Heels far exceeds the Bobcats, even without the services of Kendall Marshall.

DJ Cooper is an NBA talent, but he doesn’t have enough help inside to save the Bobcats from getting crushed by the big’s of Carolina on the glass.

The hot-shooting of the Ohio guards make this a nail-bitter, but the talent of the Tar Heels will ultimately seal the win.

No. 1 Kentucky 77, Indiana 67

This is personal for Kentucky.

The Hooisers handed them one of their two losses on the season and it came in the form of a buzzer-beater. With ESPN creating a commercial with the shot, the Wildcats have a constant reminder of what de-railed their perfect season.

No way is Anthony Davis and Co. leaving college with two losses to Indiana floating over their heads. Kentucky will exact their revenge.

No. 2 Kansas 76, No. 11 NC State 55

In what I believe will be the only blowout of the Sweet Sixteen, the Jayhawks are going to impose their will on the Wolfpack.

Thomas Robinson is more than capable of taking the rejuvenated CJ Leslie out of the game and forcing the Wolfpack into a jump shooting team.

With the experience of Robinson and senior Tyshawn Taylor on full display, I see them hammering the team that is just happy to be here. 

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