Who honestly thought they had a chance to complete a perfect bracket and a billion dollars? Warren Buffett, one of the wealthiest men in America didn’t because would not have put it up for grabs. This year’s tournament is more of a mystery than a "Where's Waldo book." All of the hours people spent working on brackets while almost losing your jobs is right out the window. Harvard, Mercer, Stephen F. Austin all crashed the party early but Tennessee, Dayton and Stanford remains. Three #12 seeds took out #5 seeds which are becoming common in the opening weekend as of late. Duke was eliminated by #14 seed Mercer University and North Dakota State became known for more than FCS football in Fargo. What can you make out of this madness? That I will still put my money on the higher seeds to come out of the weekend with their names on the bracket still. Here is why.
SOUTH: Memphis, TN
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UCLA guards Jordan Adams and Kyle Anderson have been sensational all season but Thursday will be their biggest test when they face the top seed Florida Gators. Florida got off to a slow start in their first game against Albany but turned their intensity up a notch against Pittsburgh in the Round of 32. The Gators defense was too much and Scotty Wilbiken and company advanced to yet another Sweet 16 appearance. Florida and UCLA is meeting for the fourth time in the tournament over an 8 year span. Key here is Florida has won the previous three, including the 2006 National Championship Game and a 2007 Final Four game. Same results, different year.
Stanford held Kansas phenom Andrew Wiggins to just four points while Perry Ellis was as ineffective as injured Jayhawks player Joel Embiid. Stanford’s zone defense knocked off Kansas but Dayton is flying high. The Flyers won back to back games at the wire and proved the Atlantic-10 belongs here and so does Dayton. The question now is which team will fall first??? Both teams are double digit seeds; however, Dayton seems more prepared than Stanford by after two impressive wins over Ohio State and Syracuse.
WEST: Anaheim, CA
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| SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 23: Kyle Dranginis #3 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs tries to rebound against Aaron Gordon #11, Matt Korcheck #31 and Elliott Pitts #24 of the Arizona Wildcats in the first half during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 23, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) |
In our first big match-up, it’s a re-match of Arizona and San Diego State. In a contest earlier this season, San Diego State suffered a home loss to Arizona 69-60. They will be looking for revenge this week. The Aztecs are one of the premier defensive teams left in the tourney; however, Arizona is pretty solid on defense and even without Brandon Ashley, the Wildcats have managed to perform well on offense. That’s the biggest storyline to watch for this game. Although Arizona State’s defense is solid, I don't think they will be able to keep up offensively against a Wildcats team that's making its third Sweet 16 appearance in four years.
The Bad News Bears out of Waco are balling like a habit. Baylor had good matchups to beat and they handled their business by defeating both. After shutting down probable Wooden Award winner McDermott, Wisconsin will pose a bigger task to handle. Wisconsin came back to beat Oregon and are now looking to be clicking on all cylinders. Their style of play resembles to ACC Champions Virginia because of their solid play as a team and Coach Bob Ryan has the young Badgers competing very well night in and out. Jefferson and Austin for Baylor is a frontcourt mismatch; however, Wisconsin as a whole can be a nightmare.
EAST: New York, NY
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RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 23: Justin Anderson #1 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates late in the game against the Memphis Tigers during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PNC Arena on March 23, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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Virginia is making their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1995 and now they’re trying to add more history to the program; however, Michigan State stands in their way. Coach Izzo and Sparty season usually doesn't start until now and his teams are usually healthy and poised for a run at a national title. Both of squads are solid, have outstanding defenses, and are well coached. Michigan State has a slight edge due to their previous experience. The NCAA tournament is a first for many players for the “Wahoos” and that may be a ripple effect for UVA. Tony Bennett's pack line defense is great but your offense will need to be just as good to earn a victory over the Spartans because their team is loaded many weapons and any player is poised for a big contest.
Survive and Advance was the phrase for Iowa State and that's exactly what they are doing. After their nail biting win over North Carolina on Sunday, they will now face a tough challenge in UCONN. Connecticut’s guard play between Napier and Boatright is just superb. Both guards are the catalyst to such a great 2013-14 campaign and it’s done behind some great coaching under Kevin Ollie. The Huskies upset former conference foe Villanova and will need all of the same versus Iowa State. Look for a high scoring affair that will be close for a while but in the end, the Cyclones have bigger goals to achieve.
MIDWEST: Indianapolis, IN
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| RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 23: Jordan McRae #52 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates late in the game against the Mercer Bears during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PNC Arena on March 23, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) |
You just beat a (35-0) Wichita State team what's next Jon Calipari? A date with cross state rival Rick Pitino and the defending national champions, the #4 seed Louisville Cardinals. Kentucky five freshmen outlasted the Shockers five seniors and are in the round of 16. Louisville was tested once again but as defending champs proved they are still the champs. Now, the two in-state rivalries renew their battles for the first time in the tournament since the 2012 Final Four in New Orleans. Experience versus youth will be displayed and this battle between the last two national champs I believe will be an instant classic. Experience will prevail.
The Michigan Wolverines are back in the mix of things as they have cruised through the opening rounds. A test of will and endurance against a tough and grinding Vols team is next for the Wolverines. Tennessee played their way out of the last four in and is the lowest seed remaining. Tennessee is well known for their nice post game to compliment McRae on the wing so don't sleep on Rocky Top; but, their opponent, Michigan brings back key members of last year’s Final Four squad and is hitting on all cylinders just like the national runner-ups from last season. A collision for a regional final that will be a rematch of last year’s national title game in the works. Let's hope Michigan doesn't get ahead of themselves first.
You have it first-hand my predictions and rundown of the Sweet 16. My bracket is filling up red but there is some light with my Final 4 teams remaining in all but one bracket. Thanks a lot Creighton.
Florida 74 UCLA 67
Dayton 65 Stanford 62
Arizona 71 San Diego State 58
Wisconsin 78 Baylor 68
Michigan State 61 Virginia 59
Iowa State 70 UCONN 65
Louisville 80 Kentucky 73 /OT
Michigan 73 Tennessee 67
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