Sweet Sixteen Preview

In today’s post I am going to cover the sweet sixteen matchups and some things to look out for in each of the games. 

Texas vs Purdue

This was not a matchup many of us thought we were going to be seeing. Purdue was expected to be here and they have continued their dominant stretch from the Big Ten Tournament, taking down Queens (NC) and then beating a Miami team that didn’t want to go away. Texas, on the other hand, has had a remarkable run. They beat NC State in the first four game before taking down BYU and then Gonzaga to make it to the sweet sixteen. Every year they say to take one team from the first four to advance to the sweet sixteen, but I didn’t believe any of these teams were going to be good enough. Texas has proven me wrong and then some. They are a team I think can hang with and beat Purdue if it stays close late, but I have the Boilermakers advancing on to the elite eight. 

Iowa vs Nebraska

We have the battle for who has the best corn in the sweet sixteen game between Iowa and Nebraska. The Cornhuskers have made history, winning their first NCAA tournament game ever in dominant fashion against Troy and then squeaking by a better than expected Vanderbilt team. Iowa took down the reigning champs, Florida, to get to this matchup. I can’t say that many people thought this was going to happen, but Iowa stuck to their game and got others outside of Bennet Stortz involved for a great team win. These two split the regular season series, each winning their home game. Iowa is playing some great basketball right now, but I expect the Nebraska fans to travel well and give their team another home environment. I take Nebraska in another close one. 

Arkansas vs Arizona

The SEC vs the Big 12 champs. This should be a fast paced, high scoring game that either team could win. Arizona has dominated thus far, albeit against lesser opponents, beating LIU and Utah State. Arizona never let either of these teams get into the game and beat them down pretty handily. Arkansas took down Hawaii and then High Point to reach the sweet sixteen. They scored over 90 points in each game and I expect them to do the same in this game. I believe Arkansas is going to attack Arizona, going for an offensive game. I still think Arizona is going to win this, but I expect them to be in more of a dog fight than they have been. 

Illinois vs Houston

This is going to be a great game between two fantastic teams, both of which I believe should have been 2-seeds. Houston has been dominant the last few years, but have never been able to put it all the way together in March. Illinois has had similar struggles and unfortunately, one of these two great teams are going to bow out. Both teams have dismantled their opponents, winning by 20+ in each game. I think this is going to be a back and forth game, but I think Houston’s defense is going to have an edge here. They have prioritized their defense all year and I think this is going to take them past the Illini.

St. John’s vs Duke

I am really looking forward to this game. Duke has been fantastic all season, getting the number one overall seed and being the best team in the country for the second half of the season. They struggled mightily against mighty Siena before getting back on track and handling TCU. St. John’s was in a battle against Kansas, winning on a buzzer beating layup to take them into the sweet sixteen. While Duke has been the best team, I do believe they have started to fall off in recent weeks. Their games against worse opponents such as Florida State and Siena have been shocking and showed their weaknesses. St. John’s has been balling since the end of the season, winning the Big East regular season and tournament before beating Northern Iowa and Kansas. As much as I like Duke, I see the Red Storm continuing their hot streak and taking down the Blue Devils.

Alabama vs Michigan

What a game this one is going to be. Two fast offenses and some phenomenal athletes are going to make this must watch basketball. Alabama has been doubted coming into the tournament, losing star Aden Holloway right before the tournament. This has not stopped the Crimson Tide, blowing out both Hofstra and Texas Tech and setting up a date with Michigan. The Wolverines have not let their Big Ten Tournament struggles hold them back, beating both Howard and Saint Louis handily. Yaxel Landeborg has shown why he was the Big Ten player of the year, having two great teams. As much as I like the momentum that Alabama is bringing in, I think Michigan is going to handle business.

Michigan State vs UConn

UConn and Michigan State have both rebounded from a tough end of the season to make it to the sweet sixteen. Each has had a close game, but has done well to rebound in the games and advance on. This is a matchup between two blue bloods and legendary head coaches who both have something to prove in this game. Despite both having rough ends to their seasons, I think Michigan State is the better team out of the two. I am taking the Spartans winning by at least 10 in this one.

Tennessee vs Iowa State

Tennessee has proven a lot of people wrong, beating Miami (OH) and then Virginia on their way to the sweet sixteen. I thought that they were overrated in the regular season before losing early in the SEC tournament. They have shown their depth and that of the SEC as well, beating the second best team in the ACC. Iowa State has just rolled in the NCAA tournament, winning both games by 18+ points and beating a good Kentucky team. The Cyclones have been a top 6 team for most of the year, showing every week how dominant they can be. I am taking the Cyclones to end the magical run of the Volunteers, beating them by at least 15 points.