College Hoops

NCAA Sweet 16 Preview

By Steen Lawson
For Outsports.com

It seems like the first two rounds of the tournament make for special memories every year. This year was no exception. At the same time, there is also no such thing as a bad Sweet 16. Two wins and you are playing hot at the right time; the trick is to make it happen a few more times. Hats off to the Big East with four teams advancing followed by the Big 12 with three. The ACC, SEC and Big Ten each send two teams, but the SEC is not living up to the early hype, even if Kentucky has a great shot at winning the whole enchilada.  

East

Oklahoma (1) vs. Butler (12) Fri. March 28, 7:10PM ET

Poor Oklahoma has to play this year’s Cinderella, which means all people outside of the Sooner Nation will be cheering for the Butler Bulldogs. Oklahoma’s senior leadership should be too much for Butler, even if Darnell Archey starts raining 3’s like he did in the first two games. For the record, I too would love to see Butler win; the game against Louisville was the second best game so far in the tournament.  

Syracuse (3) vs. Auburn (10) Fri. March 28, 9:40PM ET

The game is in Albany; sorry Tide. Watch this game to see the Carmelo Anthony show since he is likely to only give us one more year at the college level. Auburn is playing good defense but Syracuse just has too many things going its way.  

To The Final Four: Oklahoma 

South

Texas (1) vs. UConn (5) Fri. March 28, 7:27PM ET

This game is my upset special for the third round. Texas is playing what is essentially a home game just down the road in San Antonio, but give the Huskies and star Forward Emeka Okafor some credit. UConn needs only to keep it close to take the advantage away from T.J. Ford and the Longhorns. If he doesn’t have a big game they are just a decent team.  

Maryland (6) vs. Michigan State (7) Fri. March 28, 9:57PM ET

This looks like the closest match up of the third round. Maryland has the edge in experience and is playing well; MSU has a bit more talent but lacks experience. Both coaches have recent runs to the top and know how to motivate the boys. I’ll take the Terps in a squeaker. 

To The Final Four: Maryland 

Midwest

Kentucky (1) vs. Wisconsin (5) Thu. March 27, 7:10PM ET

You have to feel for the Badgers; no one in their right mind gives them a chance to win. The only chance they have is a close to home crowd in Minneapolis and super stud Kirk Penney, if he gets hot. As for the Wildcats, what more can be said about such a superior team? 

Pittsburgh (2) vs. Marquette (3) Thu. March 27, 9:40PM ET

A close game with two teams that are playing tough defense and showing poise on the offensive end is hard to call. Brandin Knight is a difference maker and should be enough to give the edge to the Panthers, even with the game played close to home for the Golden Eagles. This might be the best game of the third round. 

To The Final Four: Kentucky 

West

Arizona (1) vs. Notre Dame (5) Thu. March 27, 7:27PM ET

Arizona got a big scare from Gonzaga in the best game of the tournament so far and Notre Dame has the same potential. To maximize the potential, Notre Dame has to sink the shots from the perimeter like they did against Illinois with an amazing 13 three pointers. In the end I don’t think the Fighting Irish will have enough diversity in scoring weapons to bring down Arizona. 

Kansas (2) vs. Duke (3) Thu. March 27, 9:57PM ET

Mighty giants of the basketball world meet in a game that sounds more like a championship game than a regional semi-final. Duke can win this, they have talent and Kansas has a few weaknesses like foul trouble and perimeter shooting. Kansas will win this because they are hungry to make the Final Four and have even more talent than Duke. How often can you say that? 

To The Final Four: Kansas

Related: Tournament preview plus hot players