My Picks for the Sweet 16

Here are my picks for all 8 of the 3rd round games in the NCAA tournament:

N. Iowa vs. Michigan State

Northern Iowa is coming off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA history, while Michigan State is coming off of a game they won at the buzzer without star Kalin Lucas.  Although the Spartans are the higher seed, I don’t pay attention to the seeding after the first two rounds.  I’m picking Northern Iowa to win this in a close game that may come down to the final seconds.

Tennessee vs. Ohio State

OSU has the best player in the country in Evan Turner.  The Tennessee Volunteers are a team with little to no depth, something that can kill NCAA Tournament teams.  I’m picking the Buckeyes by at least 10.

Syracuse vs. Butler

The Syracuse Orange should now be your favorite to advance to the National Championship game after the Kansas loss.  I think the Orange’s stifling zone defense will be too much for Butler.  Syracuse wins this won by 6 or more.

Xavier vs. Kansas State

I think that, if anyone has the chance to beat Syracuse, it will be the Kansas State Wildcats.  They have great guard play that can break that zone.  I think Kansas State will advance very easily over Xavier.

Kentucky vs. Cornell

I think the Cornell run ends right here.  Kentucky has won their first two games by an average of nearly 30 points, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Wildcats win this one by 10 or more.  Cornell is a good team, but not good enough to top the athletic, quick Wildcats.

Washington vs. West Virginia

The Washington Huskies have come on as of late, and are playing their basketball of the season during the Tournament.  But, I think that they will simply have their hands full with West Virginia.  I’m taking the Mountaineers in this one by 10.

Duke vs. Purdue

Purdue skated past both Siena and Texas A&M in the opening rounds of the Tournament without Robbie Hummel.  I think that stops here.  Duke’s guards and the recent play of Brian Zoubek will be too much for the Boilermakers to handle, and I’m picking Duke to win this game fairly handily.

Baylor vs. St. Mary’s

I watched St. Mary’s victory over Villanova in its entirety.  This team is a great team that was very under-seeded.  They have a lot of talent and can shoot the outside shot with anyone in the country.  That’s why I’m picking St. Mary’s over the Baylor Bears in perhaps the closest game of the 3rd round.  Take St. Mary’s into your Elite 8.

Thanks for reading!

Posted by Ben

Thoughts on the NCAA Tournament

This March sure has been a wild one for upsets.  This is the year where 9, 10, and even 12 seeds made the Sweet 16.  Here are some of my thoughts on the NCAA Tournament opening rounds.

• Cornell was gravely under-seeded.  I realized that as soon as I saw them put at the 12 seed spot.  They have handed Temple and Wisconsin upset losses, and could give the all-powerful Kentucky Wildcats a run for their money this weekend.
• The Kansas-Northern Iowa game was a simple example of a good team playing with a lot of heart and passion beating a great team who brushed the game off.  I bet the Jayhawks aren’t brushing off this loss now, after many picked them to be the national champions.
• Kentucky showed their might when they made an embarrassment of Wake Forest in the second round.  I now expect Kentucky to win the national title.  They are a quick athletic team that can score at will.  Watch out for a beatdown if Kentucky is playing your team.
• By now, I’m sure your bracket is completely busted if you picked nearly any higher seed to win.  That’s what happens when March rolls around and the field of 64 is so even.
• Look for my picks for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds this week!

Thanks for reading!  We’re starting to get some more views, and I hope you continue to visit our site.  Thanks.

Posted by Ben

Bracket Breakdown: West Region

The West region of the NCAA Tournament features Syracuse, Kansas State, Vanderbilt and others.  Whoever advances out of this region will have been battle-tested and certainly ready to play in the Final Four.

Team to Beat- Kansas State

I didn’t go with Syracuse, the #1 seed in the bracket as the team to beat because they have struggled as of late.  they now have another injury that may or may not affect their team, and they have lost their last two.  they did absolutely nothing in the Big East Conference Tournament.  Kansas State, however, is flaming hot in my opinion.  After finishing 2nd in the regular season and reaching the Big 12 Conference Tournament final, the Wildcats are poised to make a run this March.  they are an overall good team with great guard play.  Put Kansas State in your Final Four.

Team that could surprise- Butler

the Butler Bulldogs, seen by most as the top of the mid-majors, are a #5 seed in the West and they could do some serious damage.  Butler is coming off an undefeated conference run and a conference tournament championship.  And make no mistake, the Bulldogs are not to be overlooked.  Put them in at least your Sweet 16.

Upset waiting to happen- #11 Minnesota vs. 6 Xavier

I have a lot of respect for Minnesota.  Just a few weeks ago, they were most certainly out of the field of 65.  Now, I think they have what it takes to go to at least the 2nd round.  They put on a clinic against Purdue and made it to the Big 10 Final.  I think they could surprise a non-BCS power like Xavier.  The Golden Gophers should be in the 2nd round of any bracket.

Best player in the bracket- Jacob Pullen

A fantastic guard for Kansas State, Jacob Pullen is a great shooter and slasher who could cause problems for that notorious Syracuse zone defense.  Pullen was one of the best players in the country this year, and led his Wildcats to the #2 seed.  Look for him to “go off” in at least one game in the West Region.

My Picks

My final two teams from the Midwest Region are Syracuse and Kansas State.  I think the Wildcats have what it takes to beat the Orange, so I’m picking Kansas State to advance to the Final Four.

Thanks for reading.  Tomorrow I’ll break down both the East and South regions, with the #1 seeds Duke and Kentucky.