Elite 8 Predictions: Forecasting Which Teams Will Advance Past Sweet 16

After a crazy and enjoyable four days saw us roll through the Rounds of 64 and 32 in the NCAA tournament, it feels like it is taking forever for the Sweet Sixteen to get underway. 

Well, the time has finally arrived, and in the next two days we will find which teams will be moving onto the Elite Eight. 

However, there is no need to wait. I already know who is going to advance. 

No. 3 Marquette vs. No. 2 Miami

Marquette has won its two tourney games by a combined three points. This team has proven to be clutch when it needs to, but far too inconsistent overall. 

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes will be without massive center Reggie Johnson, as SportsCenter passes along, and this will hurt the 'Canes on the boards, and allow Marquette to stay close. 

However, Miami is battle tested and has too much talent to let the loss of Johnson keep them down. 

Prediction: Miami 64, Marquette 59

No. 4 Syracuse vs. No. 1 Indiana

This matchup is great. Indiana's high-powered offense against the Orange's lockdown 2-3 zone defense. 

The Orange bring one of the nation's best defenses as they are third in defensive field-goal percentage at 37.3 percent and sixth in three-point percentage allowed at 28.9 percent.

To beat Syracuse it takes shooters and Indiana has them. The Hoosiers are third in the nation in three-point percentage at 40.8 percent. 

However, it is defense that is going to win out as the Orange wear down Indiana in the second half. 

Prediction: Syracuse 67, Indiana 60

No. 6 Arizona vs. No. 2 Ohio State

We've got an excellent matchup at point guard in this game. Wildcats guard Mark Lyons has scored 50 points in the first two tournament games.

However, with the superb defense of Aaron Craft, the Buckeyes are well suited to slow down Lyons.

It is not all bad for the Wildcats in this matchup though. They will win the battle on the boards to keep it close, and this one will be close all game.

However, this resilient Buckeyes team will pull it out in the end. 

Prediction: Ohio State 70, Arizona 67

No. 13 La Salle vs. No. 9 Wichita State

Wichita State has looked fantastic while cruising past Pittsburgh, and then taking out No. 1 seed Gonzaga. The Shockers caught fire against Gonzaga as they drilled 14 three-pointers.

However, they cannot continue to rely on the three.

The Shockers only hit for 33.7 percent of their threes on the season, which is the 176th-best mark in the nation. 

It is going to be important for them to work for good looks and take care of the ball. La Salle plays intense defense and five Explorers have 30 or more steals on the season. 

Wichita State has shown it can handle a pressure defense. Earlier in the year, it handles VCU, 53-51. The Shockers will keep this Cinderella story rolling. 

Prediction: Wichita State 70, La Salle 64

No. 12 Oregon vs. No. 1 Louisville

The Ducks have looked great in this tournament, but they are doomed in this game.

Louisville's defensive pressure is elite, and going nine deep, they can bring it all game. The Ducks do not have the ball handlers to withstand the defensive pressure. Oregon checks in at 255th in the nation in turnovers per play.

Louisville will generate easy buckets and cruise to victory. 

Prediction: Louisville 67, Oregon 52

No. 4 Michigan vs. No. 1 Kansas

This game features amazing backcourt talent with Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. for Michigan and Ben McLemore for Kansas.

McLemore has been awful in this tournament. He was 0-for-9 from the field in the Round of 32 against North Carolina and is now just 2-for-14 for the tournament. If he doesn't improve, the Jayhawks have no shot. 

The Wolverines are far too talented.

Burke got off to a rough start shooting in the tourney opener, but he has seven assists in each tourney game, and he went for 6-for-14 with 18 points while being hassled by the VCU defense. Burke will lead his team to another win in this one. 

Prediction: Michigan 71, Kansas 65

No. 3 Michigan State 66 vs. No. 2 Duke

This is another can't-miss matchup. We have two coaching legends going toe-to-toe while leading two evenly-matched teams.

Like the Syracuse-Indiana game, this one is going to come down to three-point shooting as well. The Blue Devils finished the regular season as fifth-best in three-point percentage. Meanwhile, the Spartans are 17th in opponent three-point percentage. 

That defense will allow the Spartans to force Duke into a subpar-shooting perfomance, and Michigan State is going to own the boards.

Prediction: Michigan State 69, Duke 62 

No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast vs. No. 3 Florida

The Eagles' offense has been earning all the sudden attention in this Cinderella run, and deservedly so. FGCU flew right over a tough Georgetown defense.

The Eagles will also find success against Florida's defense.

However, it is the Gators' offense that FGCU is going to struggle with. Florida plays smart and efficient offense. In fact, according to KenPom, it is the third-most efficient offense in the nation. 

The Gators will ride their size advantage and smart play to an easy victory. 

Prediction: Florida 82, FGCU 68