This is where things typically begin to clear up, as the Sweet 16 separates the contenders from the pretenders. Four games are on tap today, with only one real surprise team in the mix. Picks for today’s action: San Diego
This is where things typically begin to clear up, as the Sweet 16 separates the contenders from the pretenders. Four games are on tap today, with only one real surprise team in the mix.
Picks for today’s action:
San Diego State (2) vs. Connecticut (3)
The amazing streak UConn has put together continued with relative ease in its opening week, as it completely dismantled a good Bucknell team, then took care of business against Cincinnati, whom it had already beaten once this season.
San Diego State continues to fight for respect. It’s difficult to determine whether its double-overtime win over Temple gained it some credibility, or magnified some weaknesses.
At their best, the Aztecs can push a tempo many teams don’t enjoy. The Huskies aren’t exactly a grind-it-out team, either. The pace in this one should be fun, but I’ll take coach Jim Calhoun with five days to prepare, along with Kemba Walker. Steve Fisher and San Diego State’s run ends today.
Pick: UConn
Florida (2) vs. BYU (3)
A pair of teams that appeared to be pegged as early exiters are still standing. Florida got a scare from UCLA in what was a great second-round game, while the Cougars crushed Gonzaga.
The Gators have the inside game to exploit BYU’s weakness up front and they will likely be focused on pounding the ball in the paint. Chandler Parsons is the inside-outside threat that Florida hasn’t had since Mike Miller. He will likely be the barometer for Florida’s success.
Jimmer Fredette continues to show why he leads the nation in scoring, as he can and will rise and fire from anywhere up to 35 feet from the hoop. Of course, the Cougars will continue to miss Brandon Davies for this one, but Fredette doesn’t seem ready to let his career end just yet.
Pick: BYU
Duke (1) vs. Arizona (5)
The Blue Devils got a real scare from Michigan and were about an inch away from going to overtime. The Wildcats have had a pair of heart pounders, themselves. Arizona was incredibly lucky to escape with a win against Texas, after going down to the wire with Memphis in the opener.
Players not named Derrick Williams actually stepped up for the first 39 minutes against Texas, before the future NBA lottery pick took over the final possession.
Duke seems to still be feeling its way back into a comfort zone as Kyrie Irving works into the rotation. While it may not be the elite team anticipated, Duke should be able to solve whatever Arizona presents, unless the role players have another huge game.
Pick: Duke
Wisconsin (4) vs. Butler (8)
Butler must be the most exciting campus on the planet, because all indications are that it hates anything routine and ordinary. The Bulldogs are back in the Sweet 16 after a buzzer-beater to knock off Old Dominion, following that up with one of the most absurd final 10 seconds ever in a win over No. 1 seed Pittsburgh.
Wisconsin has gone about its business with a pair of wins over Belmont and Kansas State. The Badgers seemed to tell K-State that they were going to allow star guard Jacob Pullen get his points — and he did, to the tune of 38 of his team’s 65. That could be a similar strategy today against Butler’s Shelvin Mack, who scored 30 against Pitt.
The difference-maker should be Butler forward Matt Howard, who had the winning hoop against ODU and then the winning free throw against Pitt.
Pick: Butler
