NCAA Bracket 2011: Previewing Kentucky Wildcats vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Kentucky Wildcats and the Ohio State Buckeyes are set to play in the Sweet 16 on Friday night in Newark, NJ. The winner will go onto play in the Elite Eight.

Although the Ohio State Buckeyes are playing like the best team in the nation, the Wildcats have earned their spot in the Sweet 16 and will give the Buckeyes a very good game.

With that said, either team could pull off a win and find themselves moving onto the next round. 

How Kentucky Can Win

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TAMPA, FL - MARCH 19: Brandon Knight #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats huddles up with his teammates against as Joe Mazzulla #21 and John Flowers #41 of the West Virginia Mountaineers look on during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament

One of the most important things that the Kentucky Wildcats have to do to win this game is very simple: stop Jon Diebler and the Buckeyes from making so many threes. 

When Diebler and the rest of the Buckeyes start knocking down three-pointers, they begin to pull away from teams—just ask George Mason. 

Not to mention, if the Wildcats can somehow stop Jared Sullinger, they will be well on their way to the Elite Eight. If Kentucky can get Ohio State into foul trouble, this will help them very much.

Also, Brandon Knight has to be big in this game for the Wildcats. If he does not have a good scoring night, the Wildcats can kiss their chances on beating the Buckeyes goodbye.

However, if Knight can duplicate his 30-point performance that he had against West Virginia, the Wildcats will be very hard to beat.

How Ohio State Can Win

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CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 20: Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes dunks the ball against the George Mason Patriots during the third of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Quicken Loans Arena on March 20, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by

As long as Ohio State plays like they have been the whole entire season, they will win. The Buckeyes have the best team in the nation and they are playing that way so far in the NCAA tournament.

Jared Sullinger needs to be big in the post and Jon Diebler and David Lighty need to knock down their three-point attempts for the Buckeyes to be successful in this game. 

If OSU can stop Brandon Knight from scoring, they will take this game with ease.

The Buckeyes are a very complete team, which is why they are picked by many to win the whole entire tournament.

Although the Wildcats have players that can matchup with Sullinger, he is simply impossible to stop. If the Wildcats try to double-cover Sullinger, there will certainly be another Buckeye open. Just about anyone on the Buckeyes' team can make a team pay when not covered.

Ohio State Moves onto the Elite Eight

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CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 20: Aaron Craft #4, Jared Sullinger #0, Jon Diebler #33 and William Buford #44 of the Ohio State Buckeyes look on from the bench late in the second half against the George Mason Patriots during the third of the 2011 NCAA men's baske

The Kentucky Wildcats are going to give the Ohio State Buckeyes a good game, but it will not be good enough. 

The Buckeyes are the best team in the nation and they are certainly playing this way. Their starting five is the most complete out of any team left in the NCAA tournament. 

With this said, the Buckeyes are way to talented to get beat this time of the year. Although the Wildcats are capable of beating Ohio State, it would take a perfect game from them or a completely off night from the Buckeyes for Ohio State to lose.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are playing very good basketball right now and they are going to continue this good basketball against the Wildcats.