NCAA March Madness 2011 Predictions: Breaking Down Every Sweet 16 Matchup
This year's NCAA tournament has had a plethora of surprises and down-to-the-wire finishes, failing to disappoint the millions of fans across the nation.
Let's just say that March Madness has had all the madness necessary for the makings of an exciting finish.
Three teams ranked 10 or below have made the Sweet 16, one No. 1 seed has been eliminated, and only two Big East teams remain after being ranked as one of the better conferences in the nation.
Join B/R and I in breaking down each Sweet 16 matchup and predicting who will come out on top.
No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Kentucky (East)
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Tip-off: March 25th, 9:45 p.m. EST
Where: Newark, New Jersey
The Buckeyes are coming off a convincing win against George Mason, making 16 threes on over 61-percent shooting from distance.
There was sound movement on the offensive end—they turned the ball over just nine times to go along with 23 assists.
Kentucky had to battle its way to this game, playing against two solid teams in Princeton and West Virginia.
Head coach John Calipari has his team performing at a season-best level of play as of late, but the question is whether it is enough to get the job done against the Buckeyes.
Craft has found a way to be crafty on the offensive end, getting Jared Sullinger and Jon Diebler optimal looks in the half-court set.
Look for a solid effort on the part of Knight and the Wildcats, but at the end of the day, the Buckeyes should find themselves dancing into the Elite Eight.
Prediction: Ohio State Buckeyes
No. 11 Marquette vs. No. 2 North Carolina (East)
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Tip-off: March 25th, 7:15 p.m. EST
Where: Newark, New Jersey
It was impressive to watch this Marquette Golden Eagles team knock off both Xavier and Syracuse in games that were decided in the last few possessions.
The Eagles are playing like they are for real, led by sound defensive play and efficient scoring from Darius Johnson-Odom.
The Eagles have been getting their hands in the passing lanes and playing aggressive perimeter defense, which is exactly the strategy to beat the North Carolina Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels are one of the better offensive teams in the NCAA and like to run with the basketball. They were the only team to score 100 points in the second round of the tournament.
It will be a game that comes down to the wire, as the ACC Rookie of the Year Harrison Barnes and exceptional point guard play from Kendall Marshall will be the key factors in a Tar Heels victory.
Prediction: North Carolina Tar Heels
No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 Arizona (West)
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Tip-off: March 24th, 9:45 p.m. EST
Where: Newark, New Jersey
Getting Kyrie Irving back has proven to be key for the Blue Devils, giving Coach K his 900th career win after a two-point victory over the Wolverines.
The Blue Devils feature a backcourt as good as any left in the tournament, with Nolan Smith contributing on both ends of the floor as he has all season. Against Michigan he was able to chip in 24 points.
Arizona is a tough defensive team that has played especially well in this tournament. They come into the matchup fresh of a victory against Texas, which most had moving on against the 'Zona.
When its all said and done, look for Coach K and the men in royal blue to move on, as size inside with Singler and the Plumlee brothers will prove to be too much for Arizona to handle.
Prediction: Duke Blue Devils
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No. 3 UConn vs. No. 2 San Diego State (West)
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Tip-Off: March 24th, 7:15 p.m. EST
Where: Anaheim, California
The Aztecs are still dancing as their Cinderella story continues on.
They come into the matchup a No. 2 seed but will face their toughest competition yet, with Kemba Walker and the Huskies next on their list.
Walker's efficiency in the tournament's first two games has been brilliant to watch. He scored 33 in the win over conference-rival Cincinnati and posted a double-double with 18 points and 12 assists in the win over Bucknell.
Walker should prove to be the difference in the matchup between the Aztecs and Huskies, ending San Diego State's convincing run this tournament.
Prediction: UConn Huskies
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 12 Richmond (Southwest)
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Tip-Off: March 25th, 7:27 p.m. EST
Where: San Antonio, Texas
It's too bad the Spiders have to take on the likes of the Jayhawks, or else they may have continued dancing.
An underrated Spiders team is one of few teams in the bracket that have over 30 wins on the year. They play as good defense as any team left in the field, and they win games doing so.
Kansas is arguably one of the better teams left in the tournament, along with Duke and Ohio State. They seem to have control of their opponents in the first two games, winning both games by double digits against Boston University and Illinois.
The Morris twins should serve as the difference makers in the ball game, making life especially difficult for the Spiders on the glass and in the paint on offense.
At the end of the day, the nod goes to Bill Self and the Jayhawks.
Prediction: Kansas Jayhawks
No. 11 VCU vs. No. 10 Florida State (Southwest)
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Tip-Off: March 25th, 9:57 p.m. EST
Where: San Antonio, Texas
With Purdue, Notre Dame and Georgetown on their side of the bracket, who would have predicted VCU and Florida State would be competing for a spot in the Elite Eight?
It has been a competitive three rounds of basketball, with FSU and VCU both proving to be more than worthy of spots in the Sweet 16.
The Rams have been upsetting opponents in convincing fashion, handling the No. 3 seed in Purdue in a 94-76 point rout.
The Seminoles have been surprising teams as well, beating Notre Dame by 14 in a game most had the Irish winning easily. The Irish have yet to beat an ACC team in the NCAA tournament.
Despite aggressive frontcourt play by the Seminoles, look for the Rams to push the tempo and beat teams with their ability to put up points in a hurry.
Jamie Skeen and Bradford Burgess will have to continue their efficiency from the floor, and they will do so against FSU.
Prediction: VCU Rams
No. 8 Butler vs. No. 4 Wisconsin (Southeast)
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Tip-Off: March 24th, 9:57 p.m. EST
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
The Badgers have been playing as well as any team in the tournament, playing sound defense and shooting effectively from the field.
In their most recent win over Jacob Pullen and Kansas State, the team shot 42 percent from distance and over 82 percent from the foul line.
The Butler Bulldogs were finalists in last year's tournament, and as a result they have shown an edge experience-wise in the first two games.
Matt Howard is much of the reason for the team's success, with a last-second tip-in in the second-round game and an average of 15.5 points in the first two games.
Butler guard Shelvin Mack should prove to be the difference maker in their meeting with the Badgers, coming fresh off a 30-point performance that included seven threes.
Prediction: Butler Bulldogs
No. 3 Brigham Young Vs. No. 2 Florida (Southeast)
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Tip-Off: March 24th, 7:27 p.m. EST
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
When it comes to scoring, the nation's leading scorer in Jimmer Fredette seems to get it done from all angles.
He is averaging 33 points per game after two games, adding a combined nine three-pointers and 6.5 assists a game to the mix.
Florida features talents in Erving Walker and Chandler Parsons, who should help lead the way to a Gators victory. Walker has been especially productive offensively, chipping in 18 and 21 points in the first two games.
Jimmer will be Jimmer, but the effort should come up short against a balanced, well-coached Florida Gators team. Look for head coach Billy Donovan and company to come up with the win in a close one.
Prediction: Florida Gators
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