CBB: Sweet 16 & Elite 8 Preview
In the best first weekend in NCAA Tournament history, we were lucky enough to witness some of the greatest comebacks, games, and shots of all time. In the South region, Kansas survived the upset filled weekend and clinched their spot in the Sweet 16. Iowa won on a game winning lay up, but then got blown out by Villanova in the Round of 32. Yale came up with their first tournament win ever, by upsetting No. 5 Baylor but then got bounced by No. 4 Duke. Northern Iowa hit a half court buzzer beater to shock Texas 75-72, then collapsed against Texas A&M by giving up 14 points in 34 seconds and losing in double overtime. Stephen F. Austin dominated No. 3 West Virginia on Friday, before giving up a game winning tip in to Notre Dame on Sunday. Wisconsin defeated Pittsburgh in the lowest scoring game in over a decade, before beating No. 2 Xavier with a Bronson Koenig three in the corner. In the Midwest Region, Little Rock took down No. 5 Purdue in overtime and then was pummeled by No. 4 Iowa State in the Second Round. Michigan State went down to Middle Tennessee which is arguably the greatest upset in March Madness history, but the Blue Raiders were run out of the building in the Round of 32 by Syracuse. We are through 48 games, with just 15 remaining. I will give you my updated Top 25 and picks for the upcoming games.
Top 25:
1. Kansas (32-4)
2. North Carolina (30-6)
3. Oregon (30-6)
4. Virginia (28-7)
5. Villanova (31-5)
6. Oklahoma (27-7)
7. Miami (FL) (27-7)
8. Texas A&M (28-8)
9. Duke (25-10)
10. Iowa State (23-11)
11. Indiana (27-7)
12. Maryland (27-8)
13. Notre Dame (23-11)
14. Wisconsin (22-12)
15. Syracuse (21-13)
16. Gonzaga (28-7)
17. Michigan State (29-6)
18. Xavier (28-6)
19. Utah (27-9)
20. West Virginia (26-9)
21. Kentucky (27-9)
22. California (23-11)
23. Purdue (26-9)
24. Baylor (22-12)
25. Texas (20-13)
Games (and picks) of the week:
Villanova over Miami (FL): The Wildcats have been known over the last two seasons to lose in the Round of 32 to a lower seeded team, but they quickly put that to bed with a 25 point halftime lead against Iowa. Villanova will continue their hot streak, and get by Miami (FL). The Hurricanes will be a tough out, because of Angel Rodriguez and company but Villanova's inside-outside strategy will work well and will get Jay Wright to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2009.
Oklahoma over Texas A&M: The Sooners have something that no one else in the country has. That is Buddy Hield. The likely Player of the Year in riding high after his 36 point output against VCU in the Round of 32. He and the other Oklahoma players will be ready to do battle with their former Big 12 rivals. Texas A&M has the talent to make this a close game but Oklahoma will come away with a close win because of their outisde game.
Kansas over Maryland: The Jayhawks have been rolling as of late, and I do not see that stopping against the Terps. Maryland has had an up and down season, after coming into the year as title contenders. Kansas is just a better overall team, which will carry them to victory. Maryland has at the very least two NBA players in their lineup, which will keep them in the game for at least 20 minutes but Kansas will get the win.
Oregon over Duke: The Ducks will probably be the favorite in this game, but Duke is the bigger name with one of the best coaches in history. It is always tough to take down the Blue Devils this late in the season, but Oregon just has more bodies with more speed. It is going to be difficult for Duke to keep up with only a seven man rotation. I see Oregon tiring out Duke by the last 10 minutes, and winning by double digits.
North Carolina over Indiana: The Tar Heels look like one of the best teams in the country, but Indiana just took down Kentucky. A lot of people (inlcuding me) though Kentucky would get by the Hoosiers, and give UNC a tough Sweet 16 game. Instead, we get Indiana vs North Carolina. Two blue blooods will lock up in Philadelphia, with an Elite 8 birth on the line. I see UNC winning because of pushing the ball and rebounding.
Iowa State over Virginia: The Cyclones are my choice for an upset this week. The Cyclones have looked very dominate in their first two games, beating two of the best mid major teams in Iona and Little Rock by double digits. Virginia likes to slow down the tempo and play in the 60's, while Iowa State will try and push the ball every chance they get. Virginia has a habit of letting teams hang around and Georges Niang will send ISU to the Elite 8.
Wisconsin over Notre Dame: The Badgers came from behind and won each of the first two games in the tournament. Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes lead this team and will over the Fighting Irish (who also came from behind in the first two rounds). Wisconsin has the experience and ability to control the tempo to win this game. It will be tight (like most of Wisconsin's games) but the Badgers will come out with a close victory.
Original Final Four prediction:
No. 1 Kansas
No. 2 Oklahoma
No. 1 North Carolina
No. 2 Michigan State
Last weeks record: 7-3 (21-9 overall).
Photo Credit: Fansided.com.
