March Madness 2012: Kentuckiana Still Showing Plenty of Life in the Tournament

We're on to the Sweet 16 and, well, my bracket is a mess.

I started off well in day one, but since then I’ve hit the wall. I lost two of my final four teams and my “surprise team” lost its opening game to a No. 13 seed. Ya, I’m talking about you, Michigan!  

Ohio is the sleeper team at this point in the tournament, but when you look at who’s left to play, we're going to see some big-boy basketball. It’s going to start today. 

I’m looking forward to watching just about every game over the next two days. Oh, who am I kidding, I’m looking forward to watching every game the next two days.   

First off, hats off to some local teams in Louisville, Kentucky and Indiana. I know you guys aren’t fond of tipping the cap to each other, but its good to see that they are still fighting, although it will for sure come to end for either UK or IU Friday night. My vote is IU is going home. I think we're about to see the Wildcats' best game of the tournament.

They remember that road loss to the Hoosiers, and it will show come Friday night.  

As for Louisville, well, the test wont be easy. They have Michigan State, which means one thing—Tom Izzo will have his guys ready.

I’m ready for this showdown. I’m ready to see if the new, charged-up defense of the Cards can contain Sparty. If you like defense, this is your game. It will be a hard-nosed fight for each basket.

Remember this key stat, my friends, Pitino is undefeated in sweet 16 games. You're giving him five days to get his guys ready with an already-hot team winning six in a row so far, I think you have to assume the Cards have just a good a chance to win this.   

I picked Louisville to get to the Elite 8 in my bracket and had them losing to Missouri…"pause for slap in the face”….thank you.  The question in that game will still be Draymond Green. If I can borrow a catch phrase from Stacey King, who announces Chicago Bulls games, I’d say Green is "too big, too strong, too fast, too good."

Can Louisville limit him from doing too much damage? We’ll find out.  

Back to Kentucky, we talk about upsets in this tournament all the time. Right now with the way the Cats are playing, if they were to lose, well that, my friends, would be the major upset of the tournament.

I’ve watched them closely this tournament, and wow have they just turned it on. In my eyes, they are playing above and beyond any team in this field right now. I just don’t know that any team will be able to slow them down.   

With the turnaround of Marquis Teague, it’s hard to find a real weakness that will set them back. 

After dropping 24 points to go along with seven assists and only two turnovers, its seems Teague may have turned the corner for this stretch run. If he can continue to distribute the ball as his first choice and put up the points, well, good luck to the rest of the teams. As I said earlier, my bracket is hanging because I still have my two teams in the championship game. Riding Louisville has kept me alive and also showing faith in Baylor, a team many thought would slide out due their inconsistent play. 

Here are my picks for Thursday and Friday…    

Kentucky will give Indiana nightmares after the rematch.    

I like Baylor to keep on marching down the bracket in a close one over Xaiver. The Musketeers seem to fall behind each game, but they don't let down and they keep coming back. This game, that ends.  

I picked Louisville in the beginning, gotta stay with them!  

I love the Eagles of Marquette.   

Syracuse has been playing just enough to win, Bo Ryan and the Badgers will do just enough to make Syracuse lose. Wisconsin wins.

Ohio State and Cincy…Ohio State winners baby!  

North Carolina and Ohio square off.  It will be interesting to see how UNC handles the injuries. UNC will win and send the Bobcats home after a nice run.  

Kansas and N.C State will battle it out. Leslie for the Wolfpack has played some great ball and Kansas hasn’t looked all that good. I’m still waiting for them to put together a good game. I think they do it here and get the victory. I’ll take Kansas.  

Yep, no upsets…this is the year of the big boys.  

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