March Madness Bracket 2011 Predictions: Kawhi Leonard, SDSU Aztecs To Stop UConn

The San Diego State Aztecs fought through a double-overtime thriller against Temple University to reach the Sweet 16, and now they face the Big East's UConn Huskies led by Player of the Year candidate Kemba Walker.

The Aztecs are currently living out their school's basketball dream season. 

Coming into the this year's big dance, SDSU had yet to win an NCAA tournament game. Now, after rattling off two big wins last weekend, Steve Fisher has his squad looking to take the road to the Final Four.

Standing in their way is a UConn squad who came into this season in rebuilding mode, with no real hype behind their team as far as being a NCAA-tournament contender. 

Walker quickly became a household name and UConn broke into the top 25 and remained there the rest of the season.

SDSU has grown accustomed to playing a team with a one-man show, having played Jimmer Fredette and BYU three times this year. Twice SDSU failed to find their usual swagger and were beat by 13.

SDSU finally took down BYU when it mattered most and took home their second Mountain West title in as many years.

The Aztecs know that containing Walker to under 30 points greatly increases their chance of stopping the Huskies in their tracks and marching on in the tournament.

Like BYU's post game, UConn has no real inside threat. 6'9" freshman forward Roscoe Smith who averages around six points and five rebounds a game and Alex Oriakhi a 6'9" sophomore forward who averages 9 points about 9 rebounds a game are their two big man threats. Both have had one game where they didn't show up in the tourney and can't afford them not to have them on top of their game against SDSU.

This gives SDSU a huge advantage inside with their hyped duo of Kawhi Leonard and Malcom Thomas as well as their emerging star Billy White.

Leonard, Thomas and White have combined for an average of 41 points and 29 rebounds per game in the NCAA tournament. These three forwards will be the deciding factor on Thursday, not Walker.

When the attention shifts inside when one of SDSU's three big men are in the post, the Aztecs can kick the ball out to their three most reliable outside shooters, D.J. Gay, Chase Tapely and James Rahon.

With all things considered, this looks to be Walker's last stop on the road to the Final Four. I see the Aztecs taking the Huskies down and continuing on in their quest for their first national title.

Prediction: No. 2 San Diego State Aztecs 76, No. 3 UConn Huskies 68