2009 March Madness: Sweet Sixteen Prediction

It is Friday, March 26, 2009; the start of the Sweet Sixteen.

For the first time, it is an arguable case we are really seeing our top 16 teams on the floor, with no Cinderella's in their way. Will it be another season where all four No. 1 seeds make the Final Four?

With three wins away from winning it all. it's time to see who is truly the elite of this years tournament.

Game One: Louisville vs Arizona

This isn't much of a surprise from the Cardinals standpoint. With avoiding the scare of the Saints, Louisville is heading to the next round, to face the Arizona Wildcats. The Cats ended the season of upset-minded Cleavland St.

They are led by their dominant scorers in Earl Clark and Terrence Williams, averaging over 12 points and eight rebounds per game.

Arizona will hope that their best scorer Jordan Hill can have a great game against the press.

In all honesty, Arizona's run ends here. Just not enough talent, and the pressure will get to them.

Louisville 88  Arizona 75

Game Two: Kansas vs Michigan St

Both the Jayhawks and the Spartans come into this game beating their opponents relatively easy, and will meet this round.

Kansas, coming off a loss in the Big 12 Tournament, has bounced back under coach Bill Self.

Michigan St., also not winning their Big 10 Tournament, has soared into the Sweet Sixteen, under Tom Izzo.

Led by Kalin Lucas and Raymar Morgan, it will depend on those guys if Sparty wants to move on. In the end, the lack of players lost by Kansas will hurt them this year, as they adjust to the good March Madness experience they have received.

Michigan St. 77   Kansas 72

Game Three: UConn vs Purdue

The Huskies come into the next round after their surprising blowout of Texas A&M,who many people felt it would be a closer game.

The Boilmakers come in winning a close game over Washington. Purdue has had it's up and downs this season, with big wins and big losses.

We all know UConn is led by Thabeet, but who leads Purdue? ETwaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson.

Besides stopping the big man, Purdue needs big contributions out of Moore and Johnson.

In the end, just don't it being enough, with UConn heading onto the Elite Eight.

UConn 92  Purdue 79

Game Four: Missouri vs Memphis

This is probably the most interesting game heading into Thursday night. Many people are going Memphis's way, as well as going Missouri's way. The battle of the tigers!

Memphis is an all around good team, so Missou really needs a good game out of DeMarre Carrol and Leo Lyons need to point on the boards.

Personally, I think Missouri is a tab overrated, and isn't really a contender to any further in the tournament this year.

Memphis 88    Missouri 74

Game Five: Pittsburgh vs Xavier

While Pitt is finally looking to get closer to it's national title, Xavier is back after easily handling Wisconsin last weekend. Led by B.J Raymond, the Musketeers hope to go back to the second striaght Elite Eight and end the dreams of the Panthers.

Yet, Pitt is a tab bit to strong to pull off the upset.

The combo of Blair, Fields and Young is enough for me, and I see them previal in a close game.

Pittsburgh 82    Xavier 76

Game Six: Duke vs Villanova

A classic battle will be unleashed when these teams play on Thursday night. Both from the two of the top conferences in the country, it will be interesting to see Duke's offense against Nova's defense.

Duke will be led by Gerald Henderson and Kyle Singler, in my opinion one of the more underrated players in the country, against another underrated star in Scottie Reynolds.

Not sure if many people view it as an upset, yet I am taking the lower-seed Nova  and their defense or Duke's shooting offense. This is the last year college nation of Duke not going back to the Final Four with the top recruits they have coming in, so be aware.

The Cats will meet another Big East foe Pittsburgh in the Elite Eight.

Villanova 80   Duke 77

Game Seven: North Carolina vs Gonzaga

The Tar-Heels continue their quest to a national championship; but first they have to get through the proven Gonzaga Bulldogs.

After their controversial, yet good win against Western Kentucky on Saturday, they need to be ready for a team with a high goal right now and fulfilling their quest to be the best team.

Ty Lawson looked healthy vs LSU, scoring 21 of 23 points in the 2nd half to beat LSU by 14.

Josh Heytvelt and Matt Bouldin will have to play at a high enough level to upset the Heels.

Frankly, just don't see Gonzaga having enough fire-power to defeat the most talented team in the nation in Carolina. UNC to the Elite Eight!

North Carolina 88     Gonzaga 79

Game Eight: Oklahoma vs Syracuse

Another good matchup between the Orange and the Soooners. Led by Blake Griffin, the Sooners still have a chip on their shoulder after losing in the Big 12 Tournament, costing them a number one seed.

Syracuse comes here after beating their opponents pretty easily after their great play in the Big East. Led by Guards Johnny Flynn and Eric Devendorf, Cuse needs big scoring if they want to defeat Oklahoma.

I am going to pick my second upset of the week. I am taking the Cuse over the Sooners in a good game.

Syracuse 90     Oklahoma 89

Should be another crazy week in March Madness as we get ready who are the truly eight elite teams of college basketball.

Matt Miselis is a writer for BleacherReport.com