The Sweet 16 round of the tournament is probably where we all get to see the best basketball of the year, in my opinion. The stage is not yet “too big” for anyone, yet almost all of the games are big enough for that big stage. It is going to be fantastic! So, without further ado, here is a quick BSB preview of tonight’s first half of the Sweet 16 round.
7:07 on Thursday in Glendale, AZ
#1 Connecticut vs. #5 Purdue
The most impressive team in the first two rounds was undoubtably the Connecticut Huskies, as they dismantled both Chattanooga and Texas A&M. Now UConn gets a tough, cohesive, impressive Purdue team who, before watching the Huskies play the first two rounds, I thought would probably beat UConn. Now, after seeing just how good A.J. Price is playing, I have changed my tune a bit. I expect a great game and would not be shocked to see the Boilermakers pull off the upset, but in the end, I have to go with UConn to move on.
7:27 on Thursday in Boston, MA
#1 Pittsburgh vs. #4 Xavier
Born in 1979, I had nothing else in my life other than family and sports in the early 90’s. So, when I think Sean Miller, I think scrappy, smart, solid point guard for the Pittsburgh Panthers of the early 90’s. However, Miller has been so good as the Xavier head coach, that my mental image of his is changing a bit. Now, the ex-Panther and lifelong Pittsburgh native gets a shot at the top-seeded Panthers, who have struggled in both their tournament games so far. The biggest advantages that Pitt usually has on other teams are DeJuan Blair and LaVance Fields. Blair may be neutralized because of Xavier’s incredibly athletic and deep frontcourt, so this game will come down to Fields against a pair of relatively weak point guards for the Musketeers. I really want to pick X in this one, but I have been saying all year that LaVance Fields is the best college point guard in the country this year, so I will stick with that and reluctantly pick Pittsburgh.
9:37 on Thursday in Glendale, AZ
#2 Memphis vs. #3 Missouri
A lot of people say that one of the reasons they love the NCAA tournament is because you get a lot of games between teams with very different styles of play. I, on the other hand, LOVE the games that pit two teams with incredibly similar styles of play. That is why I am very excited for tonight’s late game in Glendale. Both teams combine intense, pressing styles of defense with a slower offense that is based around efficient possessions and limited turnovers. Memphis gives up the fewest points per defensive possession in the country, while Missouri is second in the nation at assist-to-turnover ratio. There is just one thing that Memphis has and Missouri does not–experience. The experience of the players and, more importantly, the coach, should be the difference and should be why Memphis edges Missouri in a great game tonight.
9:57 on Thursday in Boston, MA
#2 Duke vs. #3 Villanova
Just like in the other late game, this matches two teams with very similar strengths, weaknesses, and styles of play. I LOVE that! This game is chock full of swingmen and great perimeter play–I also love that. I just think that Villanova is a better all-around team because they actually get a LOT more production out of their 1- and 5-spots. Scottie Reynolds is almost a forgotten player on this team, and he is a bonafied superstar. Oh, and how awesome is it that senior Greg Paulus only played 2 minutes against Texas in a tournament game? The answer: VERY awesome. The only thing Duke has going for it is that they probably have the best two players on the floor in Gerald Henderson and Kyle Singler, but after that they are outmatched at every spot. Because of this, I like Villanova to beat The Dukies tonight in Boston.
