Madness! What an incredible couple of opening rounds. I hope you got some QT with your significant other last weekend (probably not) because you can’t miss any of these upcoming games, well maybe except Syracuse (more on that below). Just a reminder, my bracket is a walking disaster (check out the NYGinuts Offical March Madness Challenge!), and I currently identify as a human grain of salt so read my preview with extreme caution, but I’m back to preview and pick the Sweet Sixteen baby! Enjoy, and hopefully you have that divorce attorney on retainer when your significant other’s threats to leave reach DEFCON levels this weekend. Happy Viewing!
All Game Times Pacific Standard Time
#12 Oregon St Vs #8 Loyola Chicago (11:40 am TBS) – Starting off the Sweet Sixteen right! Oregon St’s great run continues into the round of sixteen, and its hard to not “Fear the Beaver” at this point. However, how can anyone go against Sister Jean?!! No great analysis here, just pure Catholic guilt. I’m riding with Sister Jean and the Ramblers suffocating defense to victory here.
#5 Villanova Vs #1 Baylor (2:15 pm CBS) – Admittedly, I had Villanova losing in the first round (reason number 2,300,502 that I’m a complete idiot) but Jay Wright has the Wildcats offense running like a well-oiled machine. Having said that (Larry David face!), Baylor’s 119 points per 100 possessions, against a very good defensive Wisconsin squad, is proof that they have an NBA-level offense. Two great offenses, but, ironically, Baylor’s D gives them the edge in this one.
#15 Oral Roberts Vs #3 Arkansas (4:25 pm TBS) – Ok, ok. I get it Oral Roberts fans, I’m DUMB. I did not have the Golden Eagles winning one game, let alone two. They have been an inspired squad on defense and boast two of the best players left in the tournament. BUT, at some point it is time to put the glass slippers back in the closet. THIS IS NOT THAT TIME! Arkansas has been on the wrong end of close ones all year, and Oral Roberts incredible run continues! Razorback fans please send your hate mail to The OGinut…
#11 Syracuse Vs #2 Houston (6:55 pm TBS) – Again, I have to eat some big humble pie. This is a New York sports site and I had the gall to call out Jim Boeheim! Well guess what? Buddy gets cold in this one and Houston rolls! Come at me Jim! I don’t care that Houston had to squeak out two wins in the opening rounds and are little banged up. Stats be damned! Houston is battle tested and makes a statement in this one.
#5 Creighton Vs #1 Gonzaga (11:10 am CBS) – Finally a matchup that I predicted correctly. YES I CAN, YES I CAN! Creighton should not have escaped UCSB, and frankly is lucky to be in the Sweet Sixteen. It is going to take an awesome defensive effort to take down the best team in the tournament in Gonzaga. Let’s not overthink this one, the Zags are a generational team and, although, I think this will be a tighter game than most, Zags keep the dream of an undefeated season alive.
#4 Florida St Vs #1 Michigan (2:00 pm CBS) – I’m on a roll! Another matchup I predicted correctly, and this one will not disappoint. Michigan is averaging 84.0 PPG this tournament and is looking like a force, despite being without Isiah Livers. FSU is deep and balanced and is peaking at the right time. This is the game of the weekend. Expect a relentless Florida St defense to stifle Michigan’s high powered offense just enough to keep their run going. Not having Livers finally catches up to Michigan.
#11 UCLA Vs #2 Alabama (4:15 TBS) – I was high on UCLA from the start, having them advance out of the first four and the opening round. However, I did not expect them to get this far. Alabama, on the other hand, may be the hottest team, outside of Gonzaga, left in the tournament. ‘Bama is BIG and they play fast. Alabama takes care of UCLA and the PAC-12 magic takes its second hit of the weekend.
#7 Oregon Vs #6 USC (6:45 TBS) – What a great Rose bowl matchup! Oh wait, wrong sport. All bets are off in this PAC-12 matchup. The conference is going to take a hit this weekend, but at least one team will move on (captain obvious alert!). USC’s Mobley brothers are hot right now, and are going to be a load to handle for the Ducks. However, the Ducks weathered Luka Garza’s monster performance and were really impressive against a tough Iowa team. Emotion and personal hatred for all things USC has me picking the Oregon Ducks in this one.
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