Sweet 16 Thursday preview

What a weekend of hoops last week! After a blase first day of the tournament, where only one upset happened, that being a 12 over a 5 which happens at least once nearly every year anyway. The upset which happened on Thursday was VCU, a final four team last season over another mid-major team, so it was basically like, eh whatever. But, then Friday, we saw upset city, where both 15 seeds upset their respective number 2 seed opponents, where the entire commonwealths of Pennsylvania and Kentucky rejoiced when Lehigh beat Duke. Then, also Norfolk State busted the President's bracket in the West region once they beat Mizzou. Then, when you tuned in on Saturday, chalk reigned again, where there were absolutely zero upsets, so the Thursday and Saturday games were not quite boring, but they lacked the "madness" which defines the NCAA tournament. Then, on Sunday, three of the eight games were upsets, and there were only two games which were completely awful. Plus, the sweet 16 features nearly half of the teams are from within a seven hour drive of each other, which is crazy close, the midwest is represented quite well. But, then when you look west of Waco, Texas, you've got bupkus. So, how will this weekend turn out? You just gotta tune in and find out!

East Region

No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Syracuse, 7:15, CBS

This game is going to be really good, and probably a defensive struggle. The reason for that being is that Wisconsin likes to slow the pace of the game down, a lot. There is a good reason this will be a defensive struggle most likely, and that's because Wisconsin only allows 53 points a game, the best in the nation, while Syracuse has the fifth best in the nation at 60 points per game opponent average. However, that was with Fab Melo, the Big East player of the year. Syracuse may or may not show up, so it's kinda up in the air as to how I'll pick this game. Go with the Badgers, and see if they can make it to their first Elite 8 since 2005.

Pick: Wisconsin 63, Syracuse 58

No. 6 Cincinnati vs. No. 2 Ohio State, Follows SYR/WISC, CBS

This game should also be pretty good, and features 2 teams from the best basketball state this tournament, as no other state can boast having a quarter of the sweet 16 field. Plus, this game features two teams from perhaps the top two conferences in college hoops this season, the Big East and Big Ten. This game features two teams which don't necessarily like each other either, only having played once since the 1962 title game when there were only eight teams inside the entire tournament. So, it will be interesting to see how these teams feel each other out. I'd say go with Ohio State and perhaps a player which could be a player of the year in Jared Sullinger.

Pick: Ohio State 67, Cincy 58

West Region

No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 1 Michigan State, 7:45, TBS

This game could easily be the best of the night, and could see the first buzzer beater of the tournament in this game. Got two veteran players who are just great, in point guard Peyton Siva for Louisville and power forward Draymond Green for Michigan State. This game should be non stop up and down up tempo style basketball, so just lay back in your chair and enjoy it. Oh, plus the fact that Rick Pitino is 9-0 in Sweet 16 games, I have a feeling he'll push that to 10, and it doesn't hurt that Louisville is in my final four in my bracket.

Pick: Louisville 77, Michigan State 75

No. 7 Florida vs. No. 3 Marquette, half hour after LOU/MSU, TBS

Now, this game probably won't be as good as the first one, as I believe Marquette is such a superior team, it can steamroll its way to the Elite 8. This will be Florida's first true test in the tournament as well, as they faced a fairly weak Virginia team, and then a team which was just coming off the biggest win in its history. While Marquette faced a quality BYU team which had just come back from a 25 point deficit in their first four game against Iona. Then, Marquette handled a pretty good Murray State team, which went 30-1 on the season. Go with MU.

Pick: Marquette 65, Florida 51.

Come back on Thursday night for more picks on the games in the Midwest and South regions.