ATS: 22-30
SU: 33-19
The weekend was every bit as wild as the opening days of the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Cinderella kept dancing as Florida Gulf Coast became the first 15 seed to advance to the Sweet 16. Aaron Craft hit the shot of the tournament thus far with a game-winning three versus Iowa State. And Wichita State knocked off 1 seed Gonzaga. Did I miss anything? Well there is plenty more we could discuss, but I'd rather look ahead into the future. Here is a look at how I expect the Sweet 16 to shake out.
East Regional - Washington, DC
1 Indiana (-5.5) vs. 4 Syracuse
How they got here:
Indiana beat: James Madison 83-62, Temple 58-52
Syracuse beat: Montana 81-34, Cal 66-60
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Indiana: 11-6
Syracuse: 9-8
Indiana and Syracuse rarely play each other, but when they do there is always going to be memories of the 1987 National Championship Game in which Keith Smart hit a late jumper to give the Hoosiers the title. Hopefully we can get a game that is half as intense as that. Indiana was pushed to the brink of elimination against Temple but used a 10-0 run to close the game to advance to the Sweet 16. Syracuse has advanced with relative ease.
Prediction - Indiana 73 Syracuse 65
2 Miami (-5.5) vs. 3 Marquette
How they got here:
Miami beat: Pacific 78-49, Illinois 63-59
Marquette beat: Davidson 59-58, Butler 74-72
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Miami: 10-3
Marquette: 8-7
If there is a team of destiny in this tournament it could be Marquette. The Golden Eagles had no business winning against Davidson, but did. Then the Golden Eagles survived a scare against Butler. Miami's dream season is still alive as well. After crushing Pacific, the U battled Illinois to the end and advanced to their second Sweet 16 in school history.
Prediction - Marquette 60 Miami 58
West Regional - Los Angeles
9 Wichita St. (-4) vs. 13 LaSalle
How they got here:
Wichita St. beat: Pittsburgh 73-55, Gonzaga 76-70
LaSalle beat: Boise St. 80-71, Kansas St. 63-61, Ole Miss 76-74
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Wichita St.: 4-2
LaSalle: 6-5
This is far and away the most unlikely of matchups in the Sweet 16. Before the season began, neither of these teams were expected to even be in the Big Dance. Now we are assured of seeing one of them in the Elite 8. There are only three teams from "mid-majors" still remaining, these are two of them. Only one can keep the dream alive.
Prediction - Wichita St. 83 LaSalle 66
2 Ohio St. (-3.5) vs. 6 Arizona
How they got here:
Ohio St. beat: Iona 95-70, Iowa St. 78-75
Arizona beat: Belmont 81-64, Harvard 74-51
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Ohio St.: 11-7
Arizona: 7-5
Aaron Craft hit the shot of the tournament so far. His three with less than a second playing against Iowa State sent the Buckeyes to their fourth consecutive Sweet 16. They will get Arizona. The Wildcats are lead by a mix of youth and experience. This will be their first true test of the tournament. Are their youngsters ready to get a passing grade?
Prediction - Ohio St. 61 Arizona 59
South Regional - Arlington
1 Kansas (-2) vs. 4 Michigan
How they got here:
Kansas beat: Western Kentucky 64-57, North Carolina 70-58
Michigan beat: South Dakota St. 71-56, VCU 78-53
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Kansas: 14-3
Michigan: 10-6
Kansas has struggled in three of the four halves of basketball they have played in the tourney. Michigan has looked tremendous in three of the four halves they have played. Will those trends continue? This should be one of the best games of the Sweet 16. Kansas' Ben McLemore could be the top pick in the NBA Draft. Michigan's Trey Burke could be the best player in the country.
Prediction - Kansas 75 Michigan 65
3 Florida (-13) vs. 15 Florida Gulf Coast
How they got here:
Florida beat: Northwestern St. 79-47, Minnesota 78-64
Florida Gulf Coast beat: Georgetown 78-68, San Diego St. 81-71
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Florida: 7-4
Florida Gulf Coast: 3-3
For the first time ever, there will be a 15 seed playing in the Sweet 16. Cinderella has arrived to the dance, and she hails from Florida's Gulf Coast. The Eagles will take on their state's biggest basketball factory in the Florida Gators. The state's power and a trip to the Elite 8 are on the line.
Prediction - Florida 76 Florida Gulf Coast 61
Midwest Regional - Indianapolis
1 Louisville (-10) vs. 12 Oregon
How they got here:
Louisville beat: North Carolina A&T 79-48, Colorado St. 82-56
Oregon beat: Oklahoma St. 68-55, St. Louis 74-57
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Louisville: 13-5
Oregon: 6-5
Not many teams have been able to handle the pressure defense of Louisville this season. They have been smothering in the tournament so far. Throw is the magnificent play of Russ Smith, and the Cardinals have been clicking on all cylinders. Oregon is a deep team, which can come in handy when facing a team like Louisville. They will need to get contributions from all over of they want to pull the upset.
Prediction - Louisville 73 Oregon 58
2 Duke (-1.5) vs. 3 Michigan St.
How they got here:
Duke beat: Albany 73-61, Creighton 66-50
Michigan St. beat: Valpo 65-54, Memphis 70-48
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Duke: 13-2
Michigan St.: 10-7
This is probably the most anticipated matchup of the Sweet 16. Two traditional powers go at it to see who has the better squad in 2013. Both teams have been ranked in or near the top 10 all season long. Only one can reach elite status though. Duke is known as a finesse team, and will have to show a bit of toughness if they expect to get past Sparty.
Prediction - Duke 69 Michigan St. 67
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