Sweet Sixteen Showdowns (Day 2)

12 Arizona vs. 1 Louisville

Earl Clark and Terrence Williams are quite the big man duo, but Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill are right there with them in size. The Wildcats are a bit taller, actually, which people may not know.

Will Samardo Samuels buckle under pressure? It has not been a question yet, but with every rookie, the fear is always there. Arizona also has a freshman in Kyle Fogg, who is looked at to do a lot of the “little” things for them. Fogg quickly became a fan favorite because of his youthful intensity and willingness to do what is asked of him.

Edgar Sosa has experience, as do a lot of the Cardinals, but so does Arizona, which has just not been able to put it together and have a deep playoff run in the past couple of years. Finally, Nic Wise has become known nationally, and he will be looking to push the ball up the court, scoring alone and dishing it off to his fellow juniors.

Arizona will take all of the help it can get from their bench, which is not deep. A couple of threes from Zane Johnson and a board here or there from Fendi Onobun would be big.  Louisville took a while to close out Morehead State and they let Siena believe in themselves even longer. The Wildcats led for the majority in both of their games...something they rarely did, win or lose, during the regular season.

The Cardinals played in a bigger and better league. I am not convinced their big two with Samuels are better or equal to Arizona’s big three. I think a big key is Jamelle Horne. A highly-touted recruit from San Diego, Horne has had his issues this year with his decision-making, hesitation, and late game blunders. 

However, he has stuck with it and he can add a lot to what Arizona brings. He averages five rebounds per game and can score when he wants to. He can also jump right out of the gym and his size can help down low if it is called upon. Arizona has hit its stride and the potential that Lute Olson saw three years ago has revealed itself. Louisville better not keep the door open very long.

3 Syracuse vs. 2 Oklahoma

Syracuse is rolling and everyone has taken notice. Jonny Flynn is one of the best guards in the country and guard play is said to be so crucial, the most important thing come March. Opposite, Willie Warren and Austin Johnson are a very formidable backcourt as well.

The Griffins will take care of business in the paint, led by younger brother Blake, who is the best player in the country. Blake is the most dominating player in collegiate ball and Syracuse will be overmatched.

3 Kansas vs. 2 Mich St

Kansas, easily. Everyone loves Kalin Lucas of MSU, but I prefer the national champion Sherron Collins. Add Cole Aldrich, who will be unstoppable in this game, and there is almost no reason to continue. Tyshawn Taylor is the future and Marcus Morris can get on the boards if need be. This young Kansas team was very impressive in winning the Big 12 regular season title in a very strong year for the conference.

4 Gonzaga vs. 1 UNC

If Ty Lawson is playing, this can get ugly real quick. If he is unable to play or underperforms, it is an entirely different story. I have not heard Psycho T’s real name or nickname all tournament long.

How has last year’s player of the year not been mentioned? Well, because his team is that good. Wayne Ellington has been scoring nonstop. Lawson was phenomenal against LSU, and Ed Davis is rebounding and giving them some points, all of which they can use.

This is the best team Gonzaga has ever had. Jeremy Pargo is not one to back down.  The Bulldogs as a whole are the same way and they are confident and looking forward to the challenge; against arguably the best team in the tournament, no less.

The starting lineup is strong with Josh Heytvelt in his last postseason, Matt Bouldin, and Austin Daye. Daye is the key, as he can sometimes disappear or seemingly shy away. If he is strong, his team will react accordingly.

North Carolina is the deepest team in the country. However, I do not see them winning the national championship. I still do not know what happened last year in the semi-final.  I am not sure it won’t happen again. I feel the Tar Heels will falter at some point, and I cannot see any reason why it could not be tonight against Gonzaga. 

Whether it is by way of them being shocked, surprised, or something strange occurring like last year, or they simply just lose, it will happen. I think there is a good chance the national favorite to win it all after tonight will fall to a sizable, motivated, entertaining, and athletic Gonzaga squad.