Sweet 16: Sorry Nerderella, The Clock Strikes Midnight Tonight

As we all have had roughly a week to diagnose the eight games to be played in the next two days for the Sweet 16, one matchup in particular has received most (if not all) of the hype: Cornell vs. Kentucky.

Experts and fans alike have begun to believe in the underdogs of Cornell, as they have already upset two pretty darn good teams in Temple and Wisconsin.

Well, they haven't had to go up against a team like Kentucky with tons of NBA prospects; unfortunately for the Big Red, the Big Blue will reign supreme and Kentucky will move on to yet another Elite Eight.

Sorry Cinderella, or better said, Nerderella. Your inspiring journey will come to an end as the clock strikes midnight later tonight.

Experts have raved over the talent Cornell possesses— whether it's the eye-popping three-point shooting numbers they put up, all the different languages the players know and speak, or how they can solve a Rubik's cube in under two minutes.

Either way, this team is smart and they know how to play their opponents.

But have they had to prepare for a John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, or Patrick Patterson?

No.

Maybe one player on a team, but not three or four different weapons on one team. There's no way the Big Red could possibly simulate the speed and athleticism of Kentucky with the scout team of Cornell.

When they first tip off tonight, I expect Cornell to be stunned by the brutal reality of Kentucky. But because of who they are and how smart they can be, I expect Cornell to get into a nice rhythm and slow the Wildcats down; however, it will not be enough.

Expect Coach Calipari to throw numerous guards out on the floor and cycle through the bench to keep Cornell uncomfortable with stingy defense and different looks each time down the floor.

There is no player on the Cornell roster that can handle two of the three dominant post players that Kentucky boasts: Cousins, Patterson, and Daniel Orton.

While Cornell will play fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball, the Kentucky athletes will kill the Big Red down low in the post, especially when Kentucky has the ball.

Those three guys listed above are way too physical and overpowering for the Cornell big men to handle.

Sure, they probably could handle one of them at a time, but with two of those guys, it doesn't look promising for the Nerderella.

They will have to get Kentucky in foul trouble early and often if they want to keep the clock ticking on this season.

The transition defense will be the biggest key for both teams tonight.

We know Cornell likes to shoot the three, which they should with the numbers they have from behind the arc.

But with a long shot usually comes a long rebound, and if one of the speedy Kentucky guards (notably John Wall and Eric Bledsoe) catch a long rebound, they will be off to the races, probably with a score at the end.

Cornell will have to get back on defense tonight; that should be their most important subject, just ahead of keeping their cool on offense when pressure is applied.

I know this Ivy League team has become a darling dandy to us all, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the road ends tonight for these nerds.

Kentucky may be young and inexperienced, but right now in this game I'd take the athletic ability of the Wildcats over the seniority that Cornell brings to the game.

Sorry Nerderella, your wonderful time will tragically come to an end tonight against the Wildcats, a team that seems to be destined to win a championship.