NCAA Bracket 2012: Most Intriguing Player Matchups to Watch in Sweet 16

The first weekend of the NCAA tournament may epitomize the excitement of March Madness, but if you're looking for some top-notch college basketball, then the Sweet 16 is the place to be.

Each region will feature fantastic tilts between the best teams—and the most talented players—in the nation. Here's a look at the top mano-a-mano matchups to tune into on Thursday and Friday.

South Region: Anthony Davis vs. Cody Zeller

The December thriller between Kentucky and Indiana at Assembly Hall didn't exactly yield the finest ball for two of the sport's top freshmen. Anthony Davis, the leading contender for just about every National Player of the Year award, was more or less a non-factor on offense, chipping in all of six points on 3-of-4 shooting.

To his credit, though, the one-browed wonder was (as always) a force to be reckoned with on defense, pulling down nine boards and adding three steals and three blocks while limiting Cody Zeller, his IU counterpart, to 11 points on eight shots—below his season averages of 15.5 points on 8.8 shots.

That may not seem like much, but with Verdell Jones III gone, the Hoosiers will rely even more heavily on Zeller's production down low this time around. As such, the responsibility will fall even more heavily on Davis' awkwardly framed shoulders to impact the outcome of the game, as he'll be charged with shutting down Tom Crean's only reliable big man.

East Region: Jared Sullinger vs. Yancy Gates

The Buckeye State will be well represented on the low block when Ohio State and Cincinnati meet in the second East regional semifinal on Thursday.

All eyes will be on Jared Sullinger, the Buckeyes' All-American big man, and rightfully so. After all, he's OSU's leading scorer and rebounder, and the one player through whom just about all of the offensive action runs.

But don't forget about the guy who'll be standing behind Sullinger for most of the game, Cincinnati forward Yancy Gates. The 6'9", 260-pounder possesses just the sort of size, strength, toughness and athleticism to give a below-the-rim banger like Sullinger fits.

If Gates can neutralize Sullinger to some extent, then the Bearcats—behind the guard play of Sean Kilpatrick, Dion Dixon and Cashmere Wright—will be in prime position to spring the upset and move on to the Elite Eight. 

Midwest Region: Tyshawn Taylor vs. Lorenzo Brown

Don't get me wrong, it'll be loads of fun to see the spindly C.J. Leslie go toe-to-toe with the beefy Thomas Robinson in the post when North Carolina State and Kansas connect in Kansas City on Friday night.

That being said, the game will truly be decided in the backcourt, between NC State's Lorenzo Brown and KU's Tyshawn Taylor. Brown has shown himself to be a steadying presence up top for Mark Gottfried's Wolfpack in their run to the Sweet 16, despite being just a sophomore.

Taylor, meanwhile, remains maddeningly erratic, even as a senior. He's just as likely to use his talent and athleticism to attack the rim and find his teammates, as he is to run over a defender or chuck a wild pass out of bounds.

The Jayhawks will need Taylor to remain calm, composed and in control, just as Brown figures to be for NC State, if they're to advance to the regional final without having their dearth of backcourt depth exposed in defeat. 

West Region: Darius Johnson-Odom vs. Bradley Beal

Now, if SPECTACULAR guard play is more your fancy, then Thursday's Marquette-Florida free-for-all is the way to go.

Both teams sport stellar backcourts all around, though the head-to-head matchup between Marquette's Darius Johnson-Odom and Florida's Bradley Beal figures to carry the most weight in this one.

Jae Crowder may get all the love (and the Big East Player of the Year honors) for the Golden Eagles, but it's Johnson-Odom who makes them go. The 6'2" senior from Raleigh, North Carolina is an absolute blur in the open court and a pitbull at all times, with the fearlessness to attack the rim at will and the toughness to take on the other team's best perimeter player.

Kenny Boynton deserves some consideration as just that guy for Florida, though Beal is perhaps the Gators' most versatile backcourt threat. The freshman from St. Louis is freakishly athletic and capable of creating (and getting off) shots for himself. 

It'll be a blast to see two supremely talented guards like Beal and DJO get after one another, though the latter's superior experience should rule the day against the former's formidable ability.

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