EAST
2. Marquette Golden Eagles
I believe that Marquette can easily make it to the Sweet Sixteen in the East Region, especially being a 2 seed. I don’t think Vermont poses any trouble to the Golden Eagles in the first round. However, I think their Second Round game will be closer, playing either Michigan State or USC. This season Marquette is 7-2 against AP top 25 teams, averaging 80 PPG across 34 games. I think Marquette will definitely have a tougher game in the Second Round, however I don’t see them losing. So in all, Marquette is the first team in my Sweet Sixteen.
5. Duke Blue Devils
The Duke Blue Devils enter the tournament on a 10- game winning streak, coming off an ACC title game victory. I think Duke beats Oral Roberts in the First Round, denying them another cinderella run. The Second Round, they will most likely be playing Tennessee which is a difficult matchup. The Volunteers are the 2nd best team in the BPI rankings, only allowing 58 PPG this season. However I think 7 footer, Kyle Filipowski won’t have any trouble scoring, or getting rebounds on this team. So in conclusion, the Duke Blue Devils are the second team advancing to my Sweet Sixteen.
6. Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats have a tough path to the Sweet Sixteen playing Providence in the First Round, while possibly also playing Kansas State in the Second Round. This season Kentucky has won 2 of 6 games against AP top 25 teams, with 12 conference wins. I think in the first round Kentucky beats Providence in a very close game, advancing to play against Kansas State. Then again, I think they keep it close and barely squeak by Kansas State in the Second Round. So in conclusion Kentucky is my third Sweet Sixteen team and they will take on Marquette.
8. Memphis Tigers
My fourth and final Sweet Sixteen team in the East region is the Memphis Tigers. Memphis has a tough 8 vs 9 game in the first round against FAU, however I see them winning easily. Then in the Second Round they will have to take on number 1 seeded Purdue. I think Memphis is a very tough team that has the will to win as we saw against Houston in the AAC Championship. I think Memphis beats Purdue to advance to the Sweet Sixteen to play Duke.
MIDWEST
1. Houston Cougars
I think it’s safe to say the Houston Cougars will be making the Sweet Sixteen this year, with an exceptionally easy first round matchup. That Second Round matchup against the winner of Auburn Vs Iowa will be a bit more difficult. I see however, no way Houston loses this early in the tournament.
Houston is 31-3 this season, with two of their losses coming against tough Memphis and Alabama teams. Houston is outscoring their opponents by 19 this season, I see them winning by double digits in both of these games. With that being said the Houston Cougars are the first team in the Midwest to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
3. Xavier Musketeers
The next team advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in the Midwest region is the Xavier Musketeers. This season, Xavier is 25-9 with 5 of those 9 loses coming against AP top 25 teams. In the First Round, I see Xavier easily breezing past Kennesaw State, where they will play either Iowa State or Pittsburgh. I thought Xavier matches up well with any of those three teams, and they could be playing in the Second Round and I have them moving onto my Sweet Sixteen.
5. Miami Hurricanes
I think the Miami Hurricanes advance to the Sweet Sixteen, even though they’ll have a tough Second Round game. Their First Round matchup, should be quite easy although it might not look like it on paper. I think they cruise past Drake where they then take on the Indiana Hoosiers. I think their key to beating Indiana is slowing down the Hoosiers offense, and if they do that, they move on. Miami will have to play hard and show us they want it, but I think they are very capable of that. So with that being said I have Miami advancing to the Sweet Sixteen, where they’ll meet Houston.
7. Texas A&M Aggies
The fourth and final team advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in the Midwest, is the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies play the Penn State Nittany Lions in the First Round in a 7 vs 10 game. Although this is a tough matchup, I see the Aggies coming out on top and playing Texas next. The Longhorns are a good team however, A&M are 4-1 against AP top 25 teams, with that loss being their last game of the season. I think the Aggies are a very tough, gritty team, that can take down Texas in the Second Round. With that, my final Midwest Sweet Sixteen spot goes to Texas A&M.
SOUTH
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
First team advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in the South region is the #1 overall seeded, Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama has the easiest First Round matchup, playing 16 seeded Texas A&M-CC. Then in the Second Round, they play either Maryland or West Virginia, which I think they can easily beat both. The Crimson Tide have grabbed 32.4% of their offensive rebounds, ranking them 21st in the country. I don’t think Maryland or West Virginia has a stop to Alabama’s physical game. I could see Brandon Miller scoring 20 points against either team. So with that being said Alabama advances to the Sweet Sixteen.
2. Arizona Wildcats
Next up we have the Arizona Wildcats who have an easy first game, against Princeton, They then play either, Missouri or Utah State. Arizona has a 56.8% effective FG%, ranking them 3rd in the country. The Wildcats also average 1.11 points per possession, ranking them 11th in the country. I think Arizona’s offense will be too much to handle for Missouri or Utah State, in the Second Round. Arizona also has a pretty solid defense, that matches up well against either of the two potential opponents. So to sum it up Arizona is the 2nd team in the South region advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.
5. San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State is an interesting team, almost their entire roster consisting of juniors and seniors. I think this gives them a big advantage, when they have that much team chemistry heading into March. I think they match up well against the 12 seeded Charleston, who won 31 games this season. After that they would possibly play a very tough Virgina Cavaliers team that always tends to play well in March, except that one year of couse. I think the Aztecs can roll past Virginia in a very close game, moving them onto the Sweet Sixteen.
6. Creighton Bluejays
Now this is a very interesting pick as Creighton could possibly have two very hard games. The first round they play a tough 6 vs 11 game against North Carolina State, but second round becomes a lot harder. For the Bluejays second round game they could possibly be matching up against the Baylor Bears. Baylor definitely has a talented team all around, but I think, Creighton’s defense can match any offense Baylor throws their way. Creighton wins this game by playing good defense, and minimizing free throws given up.
WEST
1. Kansas Jayhawks
The first team I have advancing here is the reigning National Champions, Kansas Jayhawks. I think Kansas easily beats Howard, and moves on to win by double digits against Arkansas or Illinois in the Second Round. The Jayhawks are led by Jalen Wilson and Grady Dick, who are both phenomenal players. Kansas is just an all around dominant team and I don’t think Arkansas or Illinois really pose a threat. I think Kansas just needs to play smart and do what they usually have been doing, and they will get the job done.
2. UCLA Bruins
This is a difficult decision, the Bruins aren’t 100% healthy right now, and their second round matchup against either Northwestern or Boise State could be a tough one. However, I think the Bruins are very well disciplined and can get the job done when needed. Many of these Bruins players have played in March before and freshman Amari Bailey, is a great player. I think UCLA will definitely keep it close in the 2nd round but if they just play their game, they’ll squeak out the win.
3. Gonzaga Bulldogs
This is a no brainer for me, I don’t think Grand Canyon, or the winner of TCU vs Arizona State can stop Gonzaga. The Bulldogs are just such a dominant offensive team with no holes in their gameplan. They lead the nation in points per possession, and rank 2nd in effective FG%. I don’t think Gonzaga keeps it close against any of the potential teams they could play in the 2nd round. I see Gonzaga winning their first and 2nd round games by at least 10 point.
12. VCU Rams
The final team advancing to the Sweet Sixteen is the VCU Rams, which some may find odd. I think they have a very winnable first round game against number 5 seeded Saint Mary’s. However, the 2nd round is where it gets tougher, possibly matching up against UConn. VCU has a very good defense forcing turnovers on 21% of possesions, and only allowing 0.898 points per possesion, both ranking VCU 6th in the country. I think if VCU can force UConn and Saint Mary’s into taking bad shots and turning the ball over, they easily advance. With that being said, the VCU Rams round out my sweet sixteen, and play the Kansas Jayhawks.
– Liam Olson
Twitter: LJO_media
*Photo courtesy of NCAA.com*
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