Sweet 16 Preview

Fan’s of teams that usually compete for the title (UNC, Duke, UConn, Michigan State, Ohio State, etc.) may find this weekend to be even more exciting than most people’s favorite, the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament.  The Sweet 16/Elite 8 weekend usually doesn’t give us the same upsets and certainly not the overwhelming quantity of basketball that the opening weekend provides.  What it does usually give you is more quality games and match ups in the 12 games that take place this weekend.   Also the reward of making it to the Final Four awaits those who survive this weekend, which nobody can argue is much more prestigious than just making the Sweet 16.  Let’s take a look at the Sweet 16 match ups, with my predictions in each game and take a little longer look at the Duke/Arizona match up.

San Diego State vs. UConn

Match up to Watch: Kemba Walker vs. DJ Gay

Control Walker and the Aztecs win it.  Don’t control Walker, still they Aztecs possibly win but their chances are much more slim.

Prediction: San Diego State

BYU vs. Florida

Match up to Watch: Jimmer vs. Florida Gators

Much like Kemba Walker of UConn, Jimmer is a one man team here and even more so than Kemba really.  Every Florida defender will have a role in stopping him tonight.

Prediction: Florida

Butler vs. Wisconsin

Match up to Watch: Ronald Nored vs. Jordan Taylor

Nored is one of the best defenders in the nation, if he can keep Taylor under control than Butler has another Elite 8 trip in its future.

Prediction: Butler

Ohio State vs. Kentucky

Match up to Watch: Jared Sullinger vs. Josh Harrelson

Sullinger is the key for OSU, with him working the Buckeyes do well, if he starts struggling I think OSU may lose its efficiency.  It will be a group task to slow down Sullinger, but with a lack of depth that Kentucky has foul trouble for Harrelson and Jones could really hurt the ‘Cats.

Prediction: Ohio State

Marquette vs. UNC

Match up to Watch: Jimmy Butler vs. Harrison Barnes

Both their teams leading scorers, whoever gets the edge in this match up could have their team come out victorious.  Barnes has much more offensive fire power around him though.

Prediction: UNC

VCU vs. Florida State

Match up to Watch: Jamie Skeen vs. Chris Singleton

Reason I put Singleton here is because after another week of rehab on his foot he maybe getting much closer to 100% and if he is, the advantage goes to FSU.  VCU has played well, but they haven’t seen this type of length, athleticism and defense.

Prediction: FSU

Kansas vs. Richmond

Match up to Watch: Morris Twins vs. Richmond Spiders

Kansas goes as the brothers go, luckily there are two, if one is off the other can pick up the slack.  If Richmond can slow them down the Jayhawks begin to run out of great offensive options.

Prediction: Richmond

And now the one we all want to see tonight…

Duke vs. Arizona

Match up to Watch: Derrick Williams vs. Kyle Singler

Still unknown who will be matched up with Williams but Singler is a good bet as he has the size to defend Williams inside and can keep up with the athletic Williams on the outside.

Prediction: Duke

Duke wins this one due to the guard play and the lack of other options for Arizona outside of Derrick Williams.  Duke has too many options to shut down with Arizona’s defense and Duke has enough players that they can throw at Williams to slow him down some.  Kyrie Irving has had a week of practice now to get re-acclimated to the team and Coach K has said he will receive “significant minutes” tonight.  I expect a close game, but Arizona needed their best game to beat Texas last weekend, and even with that they were a 5 second inbound call away from losing.  Duke pulls away (unless K goes into clock kill mode to early) in the end after a close, feeling each other out, first half.