Sweet 16: 8 Reasons to Watch 8 Games

Okay, so your bracket is a mess because you decided to pick Kansas to win the whole thing.  So did 90% of the country.  Serves you right for rooting for Kansas. 

But just because your dream of having a perfect bracket was crushed doesn’t mean you should blow off the Sweet 16 games that start up tonight.  Even if you don’t have a rooting interest in the teams that are playing, there are ample reasons to plop down on the couch, break out a cold one and engross yourself in basketball over the weekend.  And because we care about the fan first and foremost, we’ve gone ahead and compiled a few additional reasons to watch that may not have crossed your mind. 

Here are 8 reasons to watch the 8 Sweet 16 games that will take place Thursday and Friday…

1.) Ohio State vs Tennessee
Reason to watch: To see whether or not Tennessee’s Wayne Chism finally realizes that, his entire career, he has been playing with a wristband on his head instead of a headband.   (Seriously, how does that thing stay on his head?)  If you’re not into watching dudes with really small headbands, it’s pretty cool to watch the possible #1 pick in the 2010 NBA draft in Ohio State’s Evan Turner. 

2.) Syracuse vs Butler
Reason to watch: Because according to the calculations we have run based on significant data, there is approximately a 37.5% chance that CBS will show old video of Rony Seikaly playing for Syracuse.  Should that happen, you can then impress your friends with the knowledge that he used to be married to a Mexican supermodel who was twice on the cover of Sports Illustrated and that he also DJ’s for clubs in Miami.  And you thought he was just that big Lebanese dude who led the Orange to the 1987 National Championship game.

3.) Kansas State vs Xavier
Reason to watch: Because the suspense will be killing you knowing that at literally any moment, Kansas State coach Frank Martin will begin screaming at a player with such intensity that his head will no longer be able to take the strain and do this. 

Bonus reason: Every time you see Kansas State guard Jacob Pullen and his beard, you’ll finally see what it would be like if Lil’ Wayne and Abe Lincoln from “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” created offspring. 

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4.) Michigan State vs. Northern Iowa
Reason to watch: It’s pretty simple really – you should watch this game because Northern Iowa provided the most exciting upset of the tournament thus far, one that just happened to take place over the Kansas Jayhawks and, as a sports fan, you owe it to them. 

5.) Kentucky vs Cornell
Reason to watch: Because you’ll only get to see so many postseason games featuring Kentucky before John Calipari inevitable gets caught violating NCAA recruiting rules and then promptly jumps ship to destroy another program. 

6.) West Virginia vs Washington
Reason to watch: Because maybe this is the day that Bob Huggins breaks out THE suit.  If he does, we see no way that Washington coach Lorenzo Romar can counter that.

7.) Duke vs. Purdue
Reason to watch: Because the wonder that is the “Scheyerface” will be on display

8.) Baylor vs St. Marys
Reason to watch: Because, if watching Tweety Carter’s 80’s fade and snickering every time you see the name “LaceDarius” pop up on the screen isn’t enough, you can marvel and the sheer girth of the mouthguards that St. Mary’s brings to the table.  We can’t tell if this guy is getting ready to shoot a free throw or go 10 rounds with Manny Pacquiao.

Admittedly these may not be the most compelling reason to watch a game, but considering the fact that they are coupled with the sheer entertainment value that comes with March basketball (and in some cases, Gus Johnson), we’re hoping it’s enough to keep you interested for the next few weeks. 

(Keep an eye out for some original JSF videos from the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 here in St. Louis that being produced on behalf of Champion Sports and Yardbarker.com.  More info to come.)

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