Sweet 16 Bracket: Updated Info and Picks for Round's Best Games

In a tournament that has been light on major upsets, three of the four No. 1 seeds are still alive. Only the Villanova Wildcats couldn't ride the top seed in their region to the Sweet 16. We've seen some entertaining games up to this point, but every team the rest of the way is a legit contender to reach the Final Four.

Thus, the battles could be even more intense. Here's a look at the bracket.

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Best Sweet 16 Games

No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 5 West Virginia

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How can the West Virginia Mountaineers pull off the upset win over the Kentucky Wildcats? According to George Schroeder of USA Today Sports, West Virginia forward Devin Williams said: 

"We're gonna make it as ugly as we can make it. At the end of the game, whatever way it goes, both teams have got to have their tongues hanging out of their mouths. That's the only way it can be."

Williams can call it "ugly," but the fact of the matter is, if the Mountaineers can knock off the undefeated Wildcats, the fans in Morgantown will likely look at it as the most beautiful thing they've ever seen.

The Mountaineers defend with physicality and play at a slow pace. Controlling tempo will be essential if they hope to derail the Wildcats' perfect season. Williams' play will be huge, as he's the man who will be charged with establishing something on the inside against the Wildcats' Karl-Anthony Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein.

This doesn't appear to be a good matchup for the Mountaineers. As a team, West Virginia only makes 41.7 percent of its shots from the field. Kentucky has held opponents to 35.1 percent shooting and just 53 points per game. 

If West Virginia can keep it a low-scoring affair, then it may have a chance. That's obviously easier said than done.

No. 1 Wisconsin vs. No. 4 North Carolina

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The athleticism of the North Carolina Tar Heels against the stourt defense and experience of the Wisconsin Badgers makes for an intriguing battle. Wisconsin battled to the Final Four last season, and center Frank Kaminsky desperately wants to handle unfinished business.

Brice Johnson must be heard from on the block if Carolina is to have a chance to win. If he can work to get Kaminsky and other Badgers bigs into foul trouble, it would be huge for his team's chances.

North Carolina is a high-scoring team. It averages just under 78 points per game. If it is hot from the outside, the Badgers will feel the heat.

Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige must make solid decisions and knock down his outside shot to provide the spacing needed against a good defensive team like Wisconsin. After coming up short last season, the Badgers will be determined.

If the score stays below 70, Wisconsin will have dictated the tempo and will have an advantage.

No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 Wichita State

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With an appearance in the Final Four in the 2013 NCAA tournament, a No. 1 seed in 2014 and now an upset of the No. 2-seeded Kansas Jayhawks in the round of 32, the Wichita State Shockers are making a strong name for the school's basketball program.

In the Sweet 16, Ron Baker and the Shockers will take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Irish's efficient offense will get a serious test from the Shockers' lockdown defense. Wichita State has only given up 70 or more points twice in its last 14 games—and it won one of those contests.

Notre Dame plays unselfishly, and its passing is one of the reasons the Irish shoot 50.9 percent from the field. If guard play is the difference, it might be hard to bet against Notre Dame. There aren't many guards in the nation playing better than Jerian Grant.

At 6'5", he should be able to shoot over the top of the Shockers guards and get to the free-throw line off the dribble. Wichita State will struggle to slow him down.

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Stats per Statsheet.com.

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