Texas vs. LSU Preview

Talent and athleticism. Who says that they don't mean everything in college basketball? Ask Duke about it. Ask West Virginia about it. LSU and Texas, respectively, defeated those teams primarily on natural ability. What happens when two talented and athletic teams go against each other? You get an outstanding game.

Texas has been solid throughout the NCAA Tournament. They struggled against Pennsylvania in the first round, but bounced back to blow out North Carolina State in the next round. In the Sweet Sixteen, the Longhorns used a three-pointer at the buzzer from Kenton Paulino to defeat West Virginia. Texas has played against three teams that don't play up-tempo basketball and would rather run their half-court offense. Moreover, none of the three squads are overly impressive with their athletic ability. What does this mean? The Longhorns have not seen a team like LSU in several weeks.

LSU has been one of the most talked-about teams in the NCAA Tournament this March. Like others in the Elite Eight, the Tigers have been tested each game in the Big Dance. They opened with a quick Iona team who went into halftime leading LSU. However, the Tigers came out in the second half and dominated the Gaels. In the second round, Darrell Mitchell hit a three in the final seconds to top Texas A&M. The biggest win in recent years for the LSU program, though, came in the Sweet Sixteen. The Tigers knocked off #1 overall seed Duke in a game that will be looked upon as one of the better wins this season for any SEC team.

Texas came into the season as a favorite to win the league and as one of the candidates to win the national championship. Once conference play, people were starting to contemplate if Texas would go through the Big 12 undefeated. That obviously didn't happen. However, the Longhorns still have the type of team capable of winning the title. The only negative about this team is that they tend to get blown out when they lose, which doesn't bode well against very good teams. It all starts in the frontcourt for Texas. P.J. Tucker and LaMarcus Aldridge are the two best players in the conference and two of the best in the country. Tucker might be the most difficult player to match-up with in the nation, while Aldridge is an excellent all-around inside performer. Brad Buckman does a lot of the dirty work inside, but can also step up and hit the jumper. In the backcourt, Daniel Gibson is a good scorer and a terrific defender who can erupt for big games at any time. Kenton Paulino is a solid point guard who can score on occasion, plays good defense, and distributes. A.J. Abrams has played a big role off the bench down the stretch due to his all-around production.

LSU won the SEC title by two games, and have been one of the most difficult teams to match-up with in the country due to their versatility and athleticism. Even though they are young and inexperienced, the Tigers have the talent to win the title. They are led by one of the best frontcourts in the country. Glen Davis is a beast down low who is tough to guard in the paint; Tyrus Thomas is an athletic freak who can rebound and block shots with the best of them; and Tasmin Mitchell is a match-up problem who can score inside and outside. Darrell Mitchell is one of the most underrated guards in the country, but he can do nearly everything on the court. Garrett Temple played outstanding defense on J.J. Redick and has improved his all-around game as the season wore on. Darnell Lazare and Magnum Rolle are two more athletic frontcourt players that pose match-up problems for the opposition. All the athleticism and talent that the Tigers have wore Duke down and enabled LSU to pull the upset.

This is going to be a match-up of two of the best frontcourts in the country. LSU's Tasmin Mitchell is one of the few players in the nation capable of matching-up with P.J. Tucker. His athleticism and length could give Tucker problems. Inside, the lanky LaMarcus Aldridge will have to hold his own against the burly Glen Davis, while the physical Brad Buckman is going to have his hands full vs. the athletic Tyrus Thomas. The frontcourt match-ups are going to be outstanding. Texas is one of the few teams that can match LSU's talent up front, and vice-versa. On the perimeter, Darrell Mitchell and Daniel Gibson will lock heads in what could be the key personnel match-up. Both are solid defenders and all-around players, although Gibson is more inconsistent. In what is such an evenly-matched game, the role players are going to play big parts in whoever wins. Kenton Paulino and A.J. Abrams are capable of shooting the ball, while LSU does not have any proven offensive threats besides the aforementioned players. In the end, I think Texas' experience and the presence of P.J. Tucker will be enough for the Longhorns to pull out the victory.

Prediction: Texas 75, LSU 72

Memphis vs. UCLA Preview

#1 vs. #2. Even with all of the upsets and tight games, the Oakland region has ended up the way it should have--with the two best teams playing each other with a berth in the Final Four on the line.

Memphis, the #1 seed, has been the most impressive team in the NCAA Tournament thus far. They have not really been pushed in any game yet, beating Oral Roberts, Bucknell, and Bradley by 16 points each. The Tigers played ORU's up-tempo game in the first round; Bucknell's slow-down game in the second round; and Bradley's attempt to run with Memphis/their attempt to slow the game down in the Sweet Sixteen. In other words, they have played against every style in the NCAA tournament, and have passed each test with flying colors.

UCLA came into the region as the most popular Final Four pick (along with Kansas), and has not disappointed those who chose the Bruins. They opened the Tournament with an easy win over Belmont, followed by a very competitive win against Alabama. However, against the Tide, they seemed like they were in control the entire contest. Against the Sweet Sixteen, UCLA made the type of comeback that can propel a team to a National Championship. After being down by 19 at one point, the Bruins came all the way back to take the lead on Luc Richard Mbah a Mboute's lay-up in the waning seconds. Don't think that UCLA is just happy to be here, though--they fully expect to get to Indianapolis.

Memphis was near the top of the rankings throughout the season, and for good reason. They are one of the most athletic and talented teams around, and can not be rivaled in terms of their length and depth. The Tigers love to pressure the ball and get points in transition. When their run-and-gun game is going, they are very difficult to defend. Rodney Carney is a freak in terms of athleticism and is one of the best players in the country. Darius Washington is a solid point guard who is a very good playmaker. Shawne Williams is an inside-outside player who is one of the top freshmen in the land. Antonio Anderson and Chris Douglas-Roberts provide scoring and defense on the wings. The only thing this team lacks is a dominant low-post player and experience. However, if Joey Dorsey is consistent on the glass and defensively, the Tigers will be fine. Robert Dozier is an underrated inside player, while Andre Allen has played very well off the bench in the backcourt.

UCLA has been one of the top 15 teams in the country the whole year, and are playing excellent basketball lately, having won 15 of their past 17 games. They are one of the most efficient teams in the nation shooting the ball and also have one of the better scoring defenses in the country. Aaron Afflalo and Jordan Farmar form one of the best backcourts in the country. Afflalo is an excellent defender and might be even more dangerous on offense, while Farmar is an outstanding passer at the point. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute has been the best freshman in the conference, and is a very good rebounder. Darren Collison is a developing scorer at the guard position, and Cedric Bozeman is a versatile wing who can do many things. Inside, Ryan Hollins leads the way but Alfred Aboya also contributes. Neither is a big-time producer in either scoring and rebounding, but they provide a big body and some solid defense.

This game is a rematch of a Preseason NIT semi-final. Memphis won that game by eight points in a contest they controlled from beginning to end. Don't expect the same type of game. The second battle between the two teams should be a classic. UCLA has better guards than Memphis, but they don’t have an answer for the forward duo of Rodney Carney and Shawne Williams. Neither team is overly dominant down low, but Memphis would get the edge in the post. Williams vs. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute would be a great match-up of two of the top freshmen in the country. I think that Carney and Douglas-Roberts, with their long arms and athleticism, would be able to slow down Afflalo. If Carney is able to get his game going against Afflalo, Memphis will get the win. If Farmar and Afflalo control the game right away and don’t allow the Tigers to run, UCLA will win. My money is on Memphis in what could be a last-possession game.

Prediction: Memphis 73, UCLA 71

Friday's Sweet Sixteen Previews

Wichita State vs. George Mason- A dream game for mid-major fans everywhere. Two Cinderella teams will face off in a rematch of a Bracket Buster game played in February in which George Mason went on the road to beat Wichita State. George Mason, a team many people thought should not even be in the NCAA Tournament, upset Michigan State and North Carolina to get here, while Wichita State dominated Seton Hall and then made clutch baskets down the stretch to defeat Tennessee. It should be a great game, with the winner taking on the Huskies of either Connecticut or Washington. A key match-up will be Wichita State's PJ Couisnard vs. George Mason's Folarin Campbell. Both have had great NCAA Tournaments and will look to carry their team to another victory. The inside battle should be excellent as well. Jai Lewis is a beast on the interior for GMU, while Will Thomas is a ferocious rebounder. WSU counters with MVC Player of the Year Paul Miller and underrated Kyle Wilson. The guard play is also very even, with shooter Sean Ogirri leading the way for the Shockers and Lamar Butler and Tony Skinn forming a solid one-two punch for the Patriots. With such an evenly-matched game, it is going to come down to who can make the clutch shots down the stretch. With that in mind, I think George Mason's overall balance is going to be the difference. Not to mention the fact that they are playing close to home in Washington, D.C. Either way, it should be an outstanding game. Prediction: George Mason 68, Wichita State 65

Connecticut vs. Washington- Battle of the Huskies. Two supremely athletic and deep teams will go at it with the right to go to the Elite Eight on the line. Connecticut, by far the most talented team in the country, has not played to their potential at all this Tournament and struggled to wins over Albany and Kentucky. Washington, on the other hand, looked very impressive in their victory over Utah State, in which they controlled the game, and their come-from-behind win against Illinois. If UConn focuses and plays hard for 40 minutes, no one will beat them. That has only happened on a few occasions this season, though. Meanwhile, Washington is going to have trouble with the tempo of the game. If they play to their transition game, UConn's superior athletes will get easy baskets. If they slow the game down, UConn will just toss the ball inside to their host of big men. However, any team that has Brandon Roy has a chance. He is one of the best players in the country, and will need a big game to keep Washington in it. The Huskies are going to have to find someone to guard him. The key personnel match-up will be Washington's Bobby Jones vs. UConn's Rudy Gay. Jones is the only player on the Washington team with the size and athleticism to guard Gay. He held Dee Brown to 5 of 18 shooting, demonstrating his ability to defend quicker players. Jones can defend any position on the floor, and will need to shut down Gay if Washington is to win this game. Moreover, Justin Dentmon is going to need to play a great game against UConn's Marcus Williams. He is a freshman, but has played very well in the NCAA Tournament. Williams is the best point guard in the country, though. The difference will be UConn's depth and inside play. Jon Brockman and Jamaal Williams are not big enough to defend Hilton Armstrong and Josh Boone, while Mike Jensen is simply not strong enough. If Washington plays a near-perfect game or UConn decides to play with a lack of interest, they could pull the upset. UConn is prone to lackadaisical spells, but I think they will be up for this game. Prediction: Connecticut 76, Washington 69

Villanova vs. Boston College- One of the most anticipated match-ups of the Tournament so far. The current co-Big East Champion takes on a former Big East power. Villanova, at the top of the rankings throughout the season, defeated Monmouth and Arizona in less-than-impressive fashion, while Boston College, a popular sleeper pick to the Final Four, came back to beat Pacific in double overtime and then blew out Montana in the second round. It will be a contrast of styles. Villanova's quick, aggressive guards against Boston College's strength and power inside. 'Nova has been vulnerable to teams with excellent frontcourts, while BC has been suspect against squads with great guard groups. It should be interesting. The best head-to-head match-up will take place between Randy Foye of Villanova and BC's Jared Dudley. Foye is the biggest of the 'Nova guards, while Dudley is the most versatile of the BC forwards. He is going to need to stay in front of Foye and not allow him to constantly penetrate for easy baskets. On the other hand, if Dudley posts Foye up, Foye could be in trouble as Dudley is such a solid all-around player that he can overpower Foye or pass out of a double-team. Allen Ray vs. Sean Marshall is going to be another interesting battle. Marshall is BC's best perimeter defender, while Ray is an outstanding all-around scorer. Boston College's perimeter players have been performing much better lately, which will be key. Up front, Will Sheridan is going to have his hands full with BC's Craig Smith, one of the best post players in the country. Smith could have a huge game. If he does, BC will win. The difference will be Boston College's overall balance. They have a solid perimeter game to slow down Villanova's somewhat, and they also have a far superior interior group to overpower the Wildcats inside. The old Big East gets the win in what will be an unbelievable game. Prediction: Boston College 72, Villanova 70

Florida vs. Georgetown- A battle between two balanced teams that, at the start of the season, were not popular picks to make it here. However, each group improved as the season went on, and they are both peaking at the right time. Florida has been the most dominant team of the Tournament so far. They destroyed both South Alabama and Wisconsin-Milwaukee en route to the Sweet Sixteen. On the other hand, Georgetown has also been very impressive. They survived a close game against Northern Iowa, and then overpowered Ohio State on the interior to blow out the Buckeyes. Both teams are fairly evenly matched, which makes for a phenomenal game between two teams with loads of talent. The most intriguing battle comes between Georgetown's Jeff Green and Florida's Joakim Noah. They each are versatile players that usually pose match-up problems for the opposition. Noah has been one of the most impressive players in the Tournament, while Green is an inside-outside threat. Noah's athleticism and quickness could be the difference. Corey Brewer of Florida and Brandon Bowman of Georgetown are also going to be matched-up. Bowman has been a major disappointment so far in the Big Dance, while Brewer has played well. Bowman is going to have to step his game up if the Hoyas are going to win. Also up front, Roy Hibbert of Georgetown has been outstanding. At 7-2, he is a load for anyone to handle. Florida's athletic super-rebounder Al Horford is going to do his best. On the perimeter, the Hoyas' Ashanti Cook has performed well in the NCAA Tournament, and could be in line for a big game. Florida's Lee Humphrey is a shooter, but does not have the athleticism or quickness to stay with Cook. Also, the Gators' Taurean Green is going to have to step up his game. Florida's overall balance will end up being the difference. They have the frontcourt to hang with the Hoyas, and their backcourt might be superior all-around. Watch out for Noah and Brewer to come up with big plays down the stretch in what will be a close game. Prediction: Florida 67, Georgetown 65

Thursday's Sweet Sixteen Previews

Duke vs. LSU- This has been a popular upset pick since the regions were announced. People are pointing to the frontcourt talent that LSU has as a potential difference-maker in the game. Glen Davis is a beast inside, while Tyrus Thomas and Tasmin Mitchell will cause match-up problems for Duke. However, Duke has a solid frontcourt as well. Shelden Williams and Josh McRoberts will more than hold their own. McRoberts is athletic enough to hang with Thomas, while Williams is one of the best big men in the country. The toughest match-up for Duke will be Tasmin Mitchell. He is going to have a height advantage on either J.J. Redick or DeMarcus Nelson, and could use that to get points. On the perimeter, Greg Paulus is going to have his hands full with Darrell Mitchell. He can't allow Mitchell to get hot from outside. I think Paulus has been vastly underappreciated in the NCAA Tournament, but he is going to have to a big game tonight. The difference will be Redick. There is no one on LSU that is going to be able to stay with him, and he could have a huge game if his shot is falling. He has struggled the past couple of years in the late rounds of the NCAA Tournament, but I think that will change tonight in a Duke win. However, if the frontcourt of LSU gets Williams in foul trouble, don't be surprised if the Tigers get the victory. Prediction: Duke 73, LSU 70

Texas vs. West Virginia- A rematch of an earlier game this season where Texas escaped with a one-point win on LaMarcus Aldridge's block of Mike Gansey's lay-up at the buzzer. Both teams have vastly improved since then. West Virginia has not really been pushed thus far in the NCAA Tournament, with easy wins over Southern Illinois and Northwestern State. On the other hand, Texas struggled against Penn but blew out North Carolina State. This game will be a contrast of personnel. West Virginia has a host of perimeter shooters that can hit the three from anywhere on the floor. Mike Gansey is a versatile scorer, while Kevin Pittsnogle might be the best shooting post player in the country. Texas likes to beat up teams down low. P.J. Tucker is a tough match-up for anyone, while the aforementioned Aldridge is one of the best centers in the nation. Unfortunately for West Virginia, they don't have a true post player with the ability to defend Aldridge on the interior. Pittsnogle would rather play on the perimeter, and Frank Young and Joe Herber are not post players. The versatility of West Virginia could give Texas problems, though. Aldridge will not want to venture out to the three-point line to guard Pittsnogle. However, unless the Mountaineers are on fire from beyond the arc, I can't see them contending with Texas' frontline. LaMarcus Aldridge was the difference in the first game, and the rematch will be the same. Prediction: Texas 70, West Virginia 65

Memphis vs. Bradley- Will Bradley's Cinderella run continue, or will Memphis' run and gun offense move on to the Elite Eight? The Braves were not expected to be here, but they upset Kansas and Pittsburgh en route to the second weekend. Memphis, on the other hand, has had two relatively easy wins over Oral Roberts and Bucknell to get to the Sweet Sixteen. The key for Bradley will obviously be Patrick O'Bryant. He had 28 points and 7 rebounds against Aaron Gray in the second-round and could be in line for a huge game against Memphis and their weak interior. To put it simply, the Tigers don't have an answer for him. Joey Dorsey is not tall enough, while Kareem Cooper is too slow and not agile enough. Moreover, Robert Dozier is too skinny and won’t be able to handle O’Bryant when his back is to the basket. Several big men have taken advantage of Memphis’ lack of a true center en route to huge games. They can’t allow O’Bryant to have another break-out game. If Memphis slows him down enough, they will win. For Bradley, they have to slow down the pace of the game and not turn the ball over against the Tigers' pressure. A half-court game would allow O'Bryant to get in position to dominate. Bradley’s perimeter defenders also have to stop Memphis’ host of wings and guards from penetrating into the lane and kicking out for wide-open three-pointers. Even though the Tigers’ shooters are inconsistent, Bradley can’t allow them the opportunity to catch fire and shoot the Braves out of the gym. It will be a game of athletes, and the difference will be that Memphis has better athletes and more depth than the Braves. Moreover, Rodney Carney is going to be a tough match-up for Bradley. Click here for my complete preview of Memphis-Bradley. Prediction: Memphis 78, Bradley 73

UCLA vs. Gonzaga- This is one of the most-anticipated match-ups of the Sweet Sixteen. UCLA coasted past Belmont, and won a nail-biter vs. Alabama. On the other hand, Gonzaga played well down the stretch against Xavier and Indiana to pull away late in the game for victories. The key to this game will be Gonzaga's frontcourt vs. UCLA's backcourt. Adam Morrison is obviously the main man for the Zags. He struggled against Indiana, and his teammates played a big role in the win. However, they won't beat UCLA without a huge game from Morrison. Arron Afflalo is one of the best defenders in the country, while Cedric Bozeman is versatile and athletic. Both could pose problems for Morrison. Inside, J.P. Batista will look to dominate UCLA's big men. The Bruins don't have talented post players, but they have plenty of height and depth inside. Also in the frontcourt, Sean Mallon could have problems with UCLA's Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. He is very athletic and is a terrific offensive rebounder. The big edge for the Bruins, though, will come in the backcourt. Jordan Farmar is one of the best point guards in the country, and Derek Raivio could have difficulties guarding him. Moreover, Afflalo will have an advantage over both Pierre Altidor-Cespedes and Errol Knight. As a result of their guard play, UCLA will get the win. Farmar and Afflalo are outstanding guards, while Bozeman will be able to slow down Morrison somewhat. Even though the Zags were able to pick up the slack after Morrison’s sub-par performance against Indiana, they can’t beat UCLA without a big game from their main man. UCLA moves on. Prediction: UCLA 68, Gonzaga 66

Sweet Sixteen Breakdown: Minneapolis Region

Favorite: Florida. After the way the Gators have played the past two games, how can you go against them? Villanova is the #1 seed, but have shown some weaknesses, while Boston College has to go through the Wildcats to get to the Elite Eight. Florida has been the most dominant team in the NCAA Tournament so far, dominating both South Alabama and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. They have demonstrated excellent balance, even without great production from point guard Taurean Green. Moreoever, their frontcourt has played as well as any trio in the country. Corey Brewer has been a very good all-around player, while Al Horford is a monster on the glass and in the paint. Joakim Noah may have the most impact in the Tournament of non-All Americans. He is an impossible match-up and and can dominate games. Lee Humphrey has shot almost 60% from three-point range. If Green can step his game up, this team can win the title. Georgetown should provide a challenge, but it will be a game of frontcourts, and Florida has the better one. In the regional final, both Villanova and Boston College would be tough games, but the Gators' balance might be more than either team can handle.

Cinderella: Georgetown. Like West Virginia, the Hoyas are not much of a Cinderella as plenty of people had them in the Sweet Sixteen, but the rest of the teams left are Top-4 seeds, which is far from any type of Cinderella range. Georgetown, as a 7th seed, survived a tight game with Northern Iowa in the first round but blew out Ohio State in the next round. They did this with only a combined eight points in two games from talented forward Brandon Bowman. If he steps his game up, this team could make a Final Four run. Roy Hibbert has developed into a dominant center within the span of two games, while Ashanti Cook has provided perimeter balance. Jeff Green showed off his all-around ability, and the rest of the backcourt have contributed solid minutes and numbers. With their balance and dominant frontcourt, the Hoyas will be tough to beat. However, Florida will meet them in the Sweet Sixteen. The Gators have the frontcourt to match Georgetown's, and also have a better overall team. Either way, it has been a great season for John Thompson III and the Hoyas.

Most intriguing personnel matchup: Villanova's Randy Foye vs. Boston College's Jared Dudley. While it is not a guarantee that these two players will go head-to-head, it is likely that they will face-off against each other at one time or another during the course of the game. Foye is the biggest of the 'Nova guards, while Dudley is the most versatile of the BC forwards. Foye has had to match-up with the likes of Rudy Gay, Taj Gray, and P.J. Tucker so he used to going against bigger players. However, taller, more athletic players (like Gay) have had defensive success against Foye. Dudley is strong, but not overly quick. He is going to need to stay in front of Foye and not allow him to constantly penetrate for easy baskets. On the other hand, if Dudley posts Foye up, Foye could be in trouble as Dudley is such a solid all-around player that he can overpower Foye or pass out of a double-team. This is going to be a very interesting battle.

First-weekend knockout that will be here next year: Ohio State. Did you expect anyone else? Yes, the Buckeyes lose Big Ten Player of the Year Terence Dials, shooter Je'Kel Foster, clutch player Matt Sylvester, and all-around stud J.J. Sullinger, but don't cry for Thad Matta. He brings in arguably the best recruiting class in the country to go with the returnees. Greg Oden is the best high school player in years and could dominate the Big Ten for at least a year. On the perimeter, Mike Conley is an excellent point guard that has played with Oden in high school. Their chemistry will be noticeable immediately. On the wing, Daequan Cook and David Lighty are two of the top five shooting guards coming into college. Add those four to returning starter Jamar Butler and super sixth man Ron Lewis, and the Buckeyes are going to be loaded.

All-First Weekend Team:
Guard- Randy Foye, Villanova: 20.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 3.5 spg
Guard- Mustafa Shakur, Arizona: 19.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 7.0 apg
Forward- Craig Smith, Boston College: 23.5 ppg, 14.5 rpg
Forward- Joakim Noah, Florida: 16.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 6.5 apg, 2.5 spg, 4.5 bpg
Center- Roy Hibbert, Georgetown: 18.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg
Sixth Man- Jared Dudley, Boston College: 21.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.0 spg

Sweet Sixteen Breakdown: Washington, D.C. Region

Favorite: Connecticut. As the most talented team in the country, the Huskies are still the most frightening team to play left in the Tournament. However, their complacency has hit an all-time high in the past two games, a comeback victory over Albany and a close win against Kentucky. They should have blown both of those teams out, but what seems like a lack of interest continues to hold them down. On the bright side, Marcus Williams has demonstrated that he is the best point in the country and could carry UConn down the stretch of games. Denham Brown is a consistent scorer, while Rashad Anderson might be heating up. Rudy Gay can still be dominant at times, and the inside play of Hilton Armstrong and Josh Boone is more than enough to take over the paint. Washington could pose a problem with their balance and the play of Brandon Roy, but they have a freshman point guard in Justin Dentmon. Williams should be able to control the game. In the Elite Eight, UConn is flat-out better than either George Mason or Wichita State. If they play to their potential and don't get lazy, the Huskies will be in Indianapolis. If they don't show effort, expect them home soon.

Cinderella: George Mason. No one expected the Patriots to be in D.C. this week--unless they were attending classes at their nearby university. Some didn't even think GMU should have been in the NCAA Tournament. Well, based on their recent performances, I'm pretty sure they deserved a bid. They controlled the entire game against Michigan State in the first round and then came back from an early deficit against North Carolina to get the win. Folarin Campbell has been of the best players thus far in the NCAA Tournament, stepping up and leading the Patriots to the Sweet Sixteen. Jai Lewis and Will Thomas have played very well against All-American big men Paul Davis and Tyler Hansbrough. Meanwhile, Lamar Butler and Tony Skinn have continued to contribute on the perimeter in all aspects of the game. Coming up is Wichita State--a rematch of a Bracket Buster game played a month ago. The Patriots beat the Shockers on the road--I think they will also get it done in D.C. The regional final is another story, but this is a great story already.

Most intriguing personnel matchup: Connecticut's Rudy Gay vs. Washington's Bobby Jones. Some people think that Jones might guard Marcus Williams as he did with Dee Brown in the second round. However, Jones is the only player on the Washington team with the size and athleticism to guard Rudy Gay. He held Brown to 5 of 18 shooting, demonstrating his ability to defend quicker players. Jones can defend any position on the floor, and will need to shut down Gay if Washington is to win this game. Gay, on the other hand, has the ability to take over a game if he is focused. Most of the time, though, he is not aggressive enough and defers to his teammates. If he wants to dominate this game, he can. It will be interesting to see if Gay plays with a little more selfishness--which is needed. If he does, watch this match-up.

First-weekend knockout that will be here next year: North Carolina. The Tar Heels could be a preseason Top-5 pick next season, and don't be surprised to see them in their second Final Four in three years. The only key loss is David Noel, and, while he was definitely a crucial part of their success, he is replaceable. UNC brings in an excellent recruiting class, including three stud players in point guard Tywon Lawson, wing Wayne Ellington, and forward Brandan Wright. Given the fact that they also bring back Tyler Hansbrough, the National Freshman of the Year, UNC is going to be a juggernaut next season. Throw in scorer Reyshawn Terry and a plethora of talented role players, and North Carolina should be at the top of the rankings all season long.

All-First Weekend Team:
Guard- Marcus Williams, Connecticut: 20.5 ppg, 8.0 apg
Guard- Brandon Roy, Washington: 24.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.0 apg
Forward- Bobby Perry, Kentucky: 22.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Forward- Folarin Campbell, George Mason: 18.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.5 apg
Forward- Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina: 17.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg
Sixth Man- Dee Brown, Illinois: 16.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 8.0 apg, 3.0 spg

Sweet Sixteen Breakdown: Oakland Region

Favorite: Memphis. Prior to the start of the NCAA Tournament, I had Pittsburgh as my Final Four pick, but I thought there was four other teams with a chance of winning the region. With the Panthers out of the picture, and Memphis playing their best basketball in a couple of months, the Tigers are the new favorite. In the first round, they scored nearly 100 points in dispatching Oral Roberts, a game in which many people thought we would see the first #16 over a #1 ever. The second round brought another easy win--this time over Bucknell. Memphis is using a balanced offense--no player has scored over 19 points in either game--and a pressure defense--they have forced an average of 16 turnovers per game--to get victories. Their next game brings Bradley, a team that was not expected to be here, and their 7-foot center Patrick O' Bryant. After that, if Memphis wins, they will get either UCLA or Gonzaga. They match up well with both of those teams. Don't be surprised to see Memphis in the Final Four.

Cinderella: Bradley. The lowest-seeded in the Sweet Sixteen right now, the Braves have had two wins in a row in which they jumped out to an early lead and controlled the game the entire team. In the first round, they shot 52% from long-range and forced 18 turnovers to defeat Kansas. In the second round, the Braves held Aaron Gray to 12 points and 4 rebounds to take down Pitt. Bradley is an athletic team with a lot of talent that can play with any team in the country. They play very good defensively, both in the half-court and full-court, and like to disrupt a team's offensive sets. Patrick O' Bryant has become one of the most dominant forces in the NCAA Tournament, while Marcellus Sommerville has been a very good offensive performer. Their three-guard attack, led by Tony Bennett, has been key at both ends of the floor.

Most intriguing personnel matchup: Memphis' Shawne Williams vs. Bradley's Marcellus Sommerville. Two versatile, athletic combo forwards will battle it out for the right to go to the Elite Eight. Both players are terrific offensive players who can score both inside and outside. They each are more efficient going to the basket, but tend to hang out on the perimeter too often. Williams has been one of the best freshmen in the country throughout the season. He can score in a variety of ways, and is also a very good defender. His all-around play and athleticism make him difficult to stop. Sommerville is a very tough one-on-one player because of his versatile scoring ability and athleticism. He sometimes forces shots and tries to take over the game, but with O'Bryant becoming a star, he has adapted well to becoming the second option on the offensive end. It should be an exciting match-up.

First-round knockout that will be here next year: Kansas. The Jayhawks have a chance to be the preason #1 heading into next season with all the talent they have returning. They will return all five starters and will also bring in another perimeter scorer in Sherron Collins. Brandon Rush announced he will return for his sophomore year, giving Kansas a potential All-American. Mario Chalmers and Russell Robinson became a very solid backcourt, both offensively and defensively. Moreover, Julian Wright is sure to become a household name next season. He might be more versatile than anyone in the country. Inside, C.J. Giles, Sasha Kaun, and Darnell Jackson will be more than enough to compete for a national championship. With the way that Kansas played down the stretch this season combined with all the talent on the roster, it's easy to see why the Jayhawks will be one of the best teams in the country next season.

All-First Weekend Team:
Guard- Ronald Steele, Alabama: 22 ppg, 6 apg
Forward- Adam Morrison, Gonzaga: 24.5 ppg
Forward- Marcellus Sommerville, Bradley: 19.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Center- Patrick O'Bryant, Bradley: 18 ppg, 8.5 rpg
Center- J.P. Batista, Gonzaga: 19 ppg, 8.5 rpg
Sixth Man- Earl Calloway, Indiana: 15.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 6.5 apg

Sweet Sixteen Breakdown: Atlanta Region

Favorite: Duke. Coming into the Tournament, I pegged the Blue Devils as the favorite of the region. Nothing so far in the first weekend has made me change my mind. Duke is playing like they did before their season-ending slump, taking care of Southern in the first round and then comfortably handling George Washington in the second round. Shelden Williams has dominated the interior so far, while J.J. Redick seems to have his shot back. Moreover, Josh McRoberts is developing into a star. The regional semi-final game against LSU poses a problem, however. Glen Davis is a beast down low, while Tyrus Thomas and Tasmin Mitchell are athletic, versatile forwards. Darrell Mitchell is playing very well on the perimeter. If the Blue Devils get past that game, a rematch with Texas likely awaits. Even with all of that, Duke is still the favorite to win the region in my mind.

Cinderella: West Virginia. As a #6 seed, the Mountaineers aren't much of a Cinderella--they have a legit shot at winning the region. However, given the fact that they are the lowest seed remaining and are also the least talented of the group, they are the long shot of the region. With that said, West Virginia has been one of the dominant teams of the NCAA Tournament thus far. They ran Southern Illinois out of the gym in the first round, and took control early against Northwestern State and never looked back. WVU has been getting balanced contributions on the offensive end and have forced almost 20 turnovers per game in the first two. Against Texas, they obviously don't have the size to compete with the Longhorns on the inside, but they have the versatility to contend. If the Mountaineers are hitting their threes, they can beat anyone in the country.

Most intriguing personnel matchup: Duke's Shelden Williams vs. LSU's Glen Davis. The top three post players left in the Tournament all reside in this region. Two will go against each other in this game. Williams has been one of the best players in the country the past two games, dominating the paint in both contests. Granted, he was not going against the best low-post talent out there, but he nonetheless owned the block. On the other hand, Davis has been a constant star for LSU throughout the season and the NCAA Tournament. He is more athletic than he looks and can hit the mid-range jumper. Moreover, he is not bad at taking post players off the dribble--not something you see everyday from a 6-9, 310 lb. big man. Williams tends to dominate smaller centers, but Davis is not your ordinary big man. It will be interesting to see who wins this battle.

First-round knockout that will be here next year: Texas A&M. The Aggies finished the season on a hot streak, and were one last-second shot by Darrell Mitchell away from the Sweet Sixteen. Acie Law has developed into one of the best guards in the country, and could get some preseason accolades next season. Moreover, Joseph Jones will also return on the inside. If those two don't go pro, A&M could be one of the Big 12 favorites. They only lose Chris Walker from the rotation, but shooter Josh Carter performed better than him throughout the season anyway. Another key to this team will be coach Billy Gillespie. He is sure to get interest from other schools, but if he stays, A&M won't miss a beat. Their slow-down style and tough defense will continue to cause teams problems in 2006-2007.

All First-Weekend Team:
Guard- Acie Law, Texas A&M: 19 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4 apg
Guard- J.J Redick, Duke: 24.5 ppg, 47% 3pt
Forward- P.J. Tucker, Texas: 17 ppg, 11.5 rpg
Center- Glen Davis, LSU: 21.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 3.0 bpg
Center- Shelden Williams, Duke: 23 ppg, 16 rpg, 5.5 bpg
Sixth Man- Omar Williams, George Washington: 15 ppg, 12 rpg

Odds and Ends

Starting tomorrow, I will have a complete Sweet Sixteen preview, broken down region-by-region. It will include players to watch, favorites and sleepers, and much more.

Also, how is everyone's bracket doing? If you use the typical one point for each first round win and two points for each second-round victory, I would have 44 points. Not bad, but not good by any means. How is everyone else's doing?

Sunday's Second Round Breakdown

Pittsburgh vs. Bradley- Not the dream match-up between Kansas and Pittsburgh that everyone expected, but it will suffice. The Panthers are coming off of a dominant win over Kent State in which they jumped out to a big lead and never looked back, while Bradley upset the Jayhawks in the first round in a game that they were leading for the entire contest. The Braves do not match-up as well with Pitt, though. Aaron Gray battling down low against Bradley's Patrick O' Bryant should be very interesting to watch; O' Bryant might be the only player in the region that can defend Gray one-on-one. Marcellus Sommerville had a big first-round, but he is going to have his hands full defensively guarding one of Pitt's quick perimeter players. Moreover, Carl Krauser does not seem like he wants to end his career anytime soon, which does not bode well for the Braves. The Panthers like a half-court game, while Bradley likes to get out and run with their athletes for baskets. This game will not be an up-tempo contest, which goes in favor of Pitt. The Panthers' experience and depth will be the difference. Prediction: Pittsburgh 71, Bradley 64

Memphis vs. Bucknell- A complete contrast of styles. Memphis has phenomenal athletes all over the roster, and they prefer and up-and-down game, forcing turnovers with their pressure, and scoring in transition. They demonstrated that by dropping nearly 100 points in the first round on Oral Roberts. On the other hand, Bucknell would rather the game be played in the half-court, and the score in the 60s. However, the Bison showed against Arkansas in the first round that they can deal with pressure and get easy baskets out of it. The key, though, will be seeing if Bucknell can break the press and not turn the ball over early in the game. Surprisingly, the Bison have more NCAA Tournament experience than Memphis, which could help them in a close game. Bucknell executes exceptionally well on offense, while Memphis tends to lose focus and lack aggressiveness at times on the offensive end. In the end, the difference will be Memphis' far superior talent. Rodney Carney will keep Charles Lee from having a big game for Bucknell, and the Bison have no answer for Shawne Williams. It will be a great game, though. Prediction: Memphis 69, Bucknell 63

North Carolina vs. George Mason- Coming into the Tournament, people thought that Kansas-Pitt and UNC-Michigan State would be the two best second-round games. Neither of those games ended up happening. Just something interesting I thought I'd throw out there. North Carolina is coming off of a hard-fought win against Murray State, while George Mason handled Michigan State fairly convincingly. The Spartans never really looked like they were going to pull out a win. Now, the Patriots have second-leading scorer Tony Skinn back, who was suspended for the first-round contest. If UNC plays the way they did against Murray State, they are in trouble. Jai Lewis vs. Tyler Hansbrough will be a battle to watch on the interior, while it will be interesting to see if either of the GMU wings can guard Reyshawn Terry, who will have a significant height advantage. George Mason is very balanced, and has five guys capable of having big games. If they can utilize that balance and keep UNC's frontcourt in check, they can pull off yet another upset. I can't see it happening, though--the Tar Heels have a great coach in Roy Williams and too good of a frontcourt. Prediction: North Carolina 76, George Mason 71

West Virginia vs. Northwestern State- Could this be part of another West Virginia run? Or are we looking at this year's Cinderella in Northwestern State? The 14th-seeded Demons upset Iowa on a last-second heave by Jermaine Wallace from the corner, while the Mountaineers destroyed Southern Illinois in a game that was never really that close. In this game, it will be a match-up of two very experienced teams that like to score. Northwestern State starts four seniors and like to press and attack on both ends of the floor. West Virginia also starts four seniors, but they like a half-court game where they can spread the floor and get their plethora of shooters open looks. If they are hitting their shots, the Mountaineers can beat anyone in the country. The Demons are going to have to have to be patient in the half-court and attack WVU's 1-3-1 zone if they are going to win this game. Moreover, they can't allow WVU's shooters to get going on. This could be a blowout if that happens. Prediction: West Virginia 77, Northwestern State 68

Connecticut vs. Kentucky- A match-up of two of the best programs in college basketball. Connecticut nearly became the first #1 seed to lose to a 16, but they used a 34-9 run against Albany in the last ten minutes to turn a 12-point deficit into a 13-point win. Kentucky avoided a repeat of history as they did not fall victim to UAB's pressure and pulled out a win over the Blazers. If UConn plays to their potential, this game will a blowout. However, you can never really predict how the Huskies are going to play. Randolph Morris is going to have his hands full inside with UConn's host of quality big men. If he gets neutralized by the Huskies' bigs, that could spell trouble for Kentucky as they need that inside presence to take the pressure off of the perimter players. Rudy Gay is also going to be a difficult match-up for whoever the Wildcats put on him--he is simply too big and talented for Kentucky. The only way Kentucky will win this game is if UConn plays another lackadaisical game and the Wildcats are on fire from three-point range. Anything other than that, though, and UConn will win. Prediction: Connecticut 76, Kentucky 64

Texas vs. North Carolina State- Another battle between a higher-seeded team that struggled with an inferior opponent and a medium-seeded team that looked fairly solid in their first-round game. Texas was neck-and-neck with Pennsylvania throughout the game, while North Carolina State made big plays down the stretch and knocked off California. The Longhorns have as much talent as anyone in the country, but don't play to their potential at all times. NC State runs a patient, half-court offense, utilizing passing and cuts to get easy baskets. If Texas does not play disciplined defense, the Wolfpack could pull off the upset. However, NC State may not have the frontcourt size and depth to slow down LaMarcus Aldridge, P.J. Tucker, etc. The Wolfpack can play with any team in the country when they are hitting their three-pointers, but they had been slumping heading into the NCAA Tournament. Cedric Simmons is going to have to play well for the Wolfpack inside if they want the necessary inside-outside balance to win. In the end, however, Texas has too much talent at all positions for NC State. Prediction: Texas 73, North Carolina State 65

Ohio State vs. Georgetown- A popular second-round upset pick. Georgetown is coming off of a close win over Northern Iowa, while Ohio State pulled away from Davidson late in the second half to come out with a victory. Both teams like to shoot the three-pointer often, but Ohio State is only shooting 23 percent from beyond the arc in the past seven games. If they don't start hitting their threes, the Buckeyes will be going home. On the other side, the Hoyas have been getting excellent production from their frontcourt, especially 7-2 Roy Hibbert. Hibbert vs. Big Ten Player of the Year Terence Dials is going to be an excellent battle down low. Another matchup to watch is Brandon Bowman vs. J.J. Sullinger at the forward spot. Both are versatile, athletic players that can score inside and out. The difference will come in the backcourt, mainly who can hit their jump shots more consistently. If Je'Kel Foster breaks out of his slump, look out Hoyas. Prediction: Ohio State 68, Georgetown 65

Villanova vs. Arizona- A game that, coming into the Tournament, would seem like an easy win for Villanova. However, in the first round, the Wildcats struggled with Monmouth for much of the game, while Arizona blew out Wisconsin right from the opening tap. Both teams are very talented and athletic, although 'Nova has played to their potential all season, while the other Wildcats were seemingly on the bubble all season. However, none of that matters now--it's about the matchups. Both teams play similar styles in terms of personnel, as both teams use four perimeter players and one big man. Hassan Adams going against Allan Ray will be the best battle of the day, as both are good scorers. Randy Foye against Marcus Williams will be another quality matchup. It's also a battle of Phildelphia point guards in Arizona's Mustafa Shakur and Villanova's Kyle Lowry. If you look at all the above matchups, Villanova has the edge. The only way Arizona keeps this game within reach is if they use their athleticism to force turnovers and get points in transition. Adams and Williams need to have big games. Prediction: Villanova 76, Arizona 69