Sweet 16 Preview Part 1

Tonight's Games:

#3 Marquette (25-8, 14-4 Big East) vs. #2 Miami (FL) (29-6, 15-3 ACC) @ 7:15 on CBS

Road to the Sweet 16:
Marquette: Defeated #14 Davidson 59-58 and #6 Butler 74-72
Miami: Defeated #15 Pacific 78-49 and #7 Illinois 63-59

Both teams were on the verge of elimination over the weekend with Marquette struggling in both of their games and Miami having trouble with Illinois. I don't think Marquette is as good as their record says they are. Outside of Vander Blue I'm not impressed with any of Marquette's other players. They would have been eliminated in the round of 64 if it hadn't been for Blue's late bucket against a Davidson team that let him get right to the basket.

I think the small-big combo of Shane Larkin and Kenny Kadji will be too much for the Golden Eagles to handle. The son of the former Cincinatti Reds great has made a name for himself all season and has helped give his school's basketball program the much needed attention it received all season. This game should be close for a majority of the game, but I think towards the end Miami will pull away with Vander Blue not being able to carry his team on his shoulders for a third game in the tourney.

My Prediction: #2 Miami (FL) win 70-62

#6 Arizona (27-7, 12-6 Pac-12) vs. #2 Ohio State (28-7, 13-5 Big Ten) @ 7:47 on TBS

Road to the Sweet 16:
Arizona: Defeated #11 Belmont 81-64 and #14 Harvard 74-51
Ohio State: Defeated #15 Iona 95-70 and #10 Iowa State 78-75

Arizona has played very impressively this entire tournament and am really starting to worry about picking Ohio State in the Final Four. Arizona and the rest of the Pac-12 have played well the entire tournament as a slap in the face to the NCAA Selection Committee. This is definitely the marquee match-up of the West bracket as whichever team comes out of this game will be the favorite in their Elite 8 game on Saturday.

As well as Arizona has been playing I just think Ohio State is the better team. Deshaun Thomas will likely lead the Buckeyes in scoring as he has done all season, but I'm expecting the play of the pesky Aaron Craft to be the game-changer. Craft had a huge game for Ohio State in the round of 32 as he hit the game-winner with less than a second left on the clock. Craft has come up big all season on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. If the Buckeyes are to advance it will be because of him.

My Prediction: #2 Ohio State win 83-79

#4 Syracuse (28-9, 11-7 Big East) vs. #1 Indiana (29-6, 14-4 Big Ten) @ 9:45 on CBS

Road to the Sweet 16:
Syracuse: Defeated #13 Montana 81-34 and #12 California 66-60
Indiana: Defeated # 16 James Madison 83-62 and #9 Temple 58-52

A couple of months ago this game could have looked like a possible championship match-up. If not for the Orange struggling in the later part of the season in the always strong Big East that still could have happened. A lot of the attention about Syracuse's team this surrounded point guard Michael Carter-Williams this season with C.J. Fair in the shadows. Fair in my opinion has been the Orange's best player all season and always seems to make the big basket when necessary. Carter-Williams might be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft in June, but as far as the most important player to this Syracuse team it's definitely C.J. Fair.

The big three of Cody Zeller, Victor Oladipo and Christian Watford are why Indiana contended all season. Zeller and Oladipo have gotten most of the attention while Watford has taken a backseat. Oladipo and Zeller are two of the best players in the country this season and a potential match-up with Kansas in the Final Four could be huge. Match-ups between Zeller and Jeff Withey as well as Oladipo and Ben McLemore would really help determine who the the best big man and best guard in nation currently are.

Oladipo has been the Hoosiers lockdown defender all season and has usually ended up guarding the other teams best guard. With him having his hands full with Carter-Williams and Triche I think Zeller will have to step up on the offensive end if the Hoosiers are going to be victorious. This and Kansas-Michigan game will likely be the two to watch the next two days. This one will be close but I'm not picking against Jimmy Chitwood yet.

My Prediction: #1 Indiana win 75-73

#13 La Salle (24-9, 11-5 Atlantic 10) vs. #9 Wichita State (28-8, 12-6 MVC) @ 10:17 on TBS

Road to the Sweet 16:
La Salle: Defeated #4 Kansas State 63-61 and #12 Ole Miss 76-74
Wichita State: Defeated #8 Pittsburgh 73-55 and #1 Gonzaga 76-70

The people that decide when games will be airing on television knew what they were doing with this match-up. It is definitely by far the least sexy game of the week which is why the game is the last to air on Thursday night. Neither team is likely to be in most people's sweet 16 so most people will likely avoid watching this game tonight. Nothing against either team, but even in the press conferences yesterday players on both teams didn't know where the other school was located.

Both teams have played impressively thus far in the tournament. Neither team had dominant seasons in their conferences with La Salle earning one of the last at-large bids for the tournament and Wichita State failing to stay consistent in a rather weak conference this season. I figured both teams would've been knocked out in the first round and am shocked to see them both here in the sweet 16. I've seen very little of both but Wichita State has been more impressive up to this point. I'm expecting the Shockers to advance.

My Prediction: #9 Wichita State win 74-70

NCAA Tourney Round of 64 Day 1 Preview

Today should be considered a national holiday. This is one of the only times of the year that it is completely acceptable to gamble with friends, family and coworkers and most of America takes advantage of it. It's sad how I'd rather watch the Selection Sunday process every year than deal with most other sports. The actual selection show has become just as important as the games due to where teams end up being seeded.

All throughout the this year's tournament I'll be giving my predictions on each of the games in what I hope will be a more successful year than last year for me. The four games that have already been played this week are now considered Round 1 so I'll be referring to this round as just the Round of 64 to make it easier. I don't have any huge upsets for today's games, but look back tomorrow as I feel a couple of high seeds will be going home. Here are today's picks.

Thursday's Games:

#14 Valparaiso (26-7, 13-3 Horizon) vs. #3 Michigan State (25-8, 13-5 BIG 10) @ 12:15 on CBS

The Spartans didn't get any help from the selection committee this year. If they had been thrown in in the West bracket I might have had them actually making it to the Final Four. Instead they are stuck having to play both Louisville and Duke before reaching the Final Four. Today's game shouldn't be too hard for Michigan State as they will be the bigger and more physical team. Valpo will play a decent game but will not have enough as they go against one of the BIG 10 powerhouses.

My Prediction: #3 Michigan State win 73-58

#11 Bucknell (28-5, 12-2 Patriot) vs. #6 Butler (26-8, 11-5 Atlantic 10) @ 12:40 on TRU TV

Bucknell and Butler both come from small conferences and every year seem to see them in the tournament come March. I think Butler will be the better team today, but can they get past a possible match-up with Marquette in the Round of 32?

My Prediction: #6 Butler win 68-61

#9 Wichita State (26-8, 12-6 MWC) vs. #8 Pittsburgh (24-8, 12-6 Big East) @ 1:40 on TBS

Pittsburgh has always been one of those teams that seems to underachieve when they are in the spotlight. I'm thinking that without the added pressure of a high seed this year that they are going to make some noise and possibly move on to the Sweet 16 past Gonzaga. The Panthers should take down the Shockers today.

My Prediction: #8 Pittsburgh win 67-60

#13 New Mexico State (24-10, 14-4 WAC) vs. #4 Saint Louis (27-6, 13-3 Atlantic 10) @ 2:10 on TNT

A lot of ESPN's analysts have been high on Saint Louis for the tournament this year. Former head coach Rick Majerus had to step down due to medical reasons before the Billikens season started and later died of heart failure in December. The Billikens played well all season in their coaches absence and will likely continue that today.

My Prediction: #4 Saint Louis win 71-59

#11 Saint Mary's (28-6, 14-2 WCC) vs. #6 Memphis (30-4, 16-0 Conference USA) @ 2:45 on CBS

The Memphis Tigers aren't the same team that they once were when John Calipari coached there, but they had an excellent year in Conference USA. The Saint Mary's Gaels had to win their play-in game on Tuesday night to get there and that win will likely be there only win.

My Prediction: #6 Memphis win 66-64

#14 Davidson (26-7, 17-1 Southern) vs. #3 Marquette (23-8, 14-4 Big East) @ 3:10 on TRU TV

The Golden Eagles of Marquette didn't seem to get a lot of attention this year even though they finished going 14-4 in conference. Vander Blue will be leading the Golden Eagles today as they will likely get the win over the Davidson Wildcats. As good as Davidson might be, they just don't have another Steph Curry suiting up every game.

My Prediction: #3 Marquette win 69-54

#16 Southern (23-9, 15-3 SWAC) vs. #1 Gonzaga (31-2, 16-0 WCC) @ 4:10 on TBS

The Zags have had their greatest season in school history up to this point in earning a number one seed and being ranked first in the nation for the first time in school history. They coasted through the WCC and should be victorious by a large margin today.

My Prediction: #1 Gonzaga win 80-57

#12 Oregon (26-8, 12-6 Pac-12) vs. #5 Oklahoma State (24-8, 13-5 Big 12) @ 4:40 on TNT

The Pac-12 didn't get any love this year from the selection committee as Oregon was left with a very low 12 seed. They should have been in the 8 or 9 range at least and will likely not have enough to beat the five seed Oklahoma State. Freshman guard Marcus Smart will likely decide how this game ends. Smart has been the Cowboys' best player all season and if they are going to progress it will be because of him.

My Prediction: #5 Oklahoma State win 72-69

#16 North Carolina A&T (20-16, 8-8 MEAC) vs. #1 Louisville (29-5, 14-4 Big East) @ 6:50 on TBS

No 16 seed has ever defeated a 1 seed in tournament history and I don't expect it to happen today. NC A&T would likely not beat any team from the Big East Conference so I'm expecting Peyton Siva and the Cardinals to walk right through them today. This game should be over by halftime.

My Prediction: #1 Louisville win 78-54

#13 South Dakota State (25-9, 13-3 Summit) vs. #4 Michigan (26-7, 12-6 BIG 10) @ 7:15 on CBS

Nate Wolters had a terrific year for the Jackrabbits this year and could have helped them walk away with an upset had they had an easier opponent. The Wolverines have been one of the best teams all year and should be able to slow down Wolters enough avoid the upset.

My Prediction: #4 Michigan win 72-65

#11 Belmont (26-6, 14-2 OVC) vs. #6 Arizona (25-7, 12-6 Pac-12) @ 7:20 on TNT

The Wildcats have been trying to regain the prominence they once had while Lute Olson was manning the sideline and today will be a step in the right direction for them. Belmont have had a successful season, but they will struggle playing with the larger Wildcats.

My Prediction: #6 Arizona win 70-59

#12 California (20-11, 12-6 Pac-12) vs. #5 UNLV (25-9, 10-6 MWC) @ 7:27 on TRU TV

The Running Rebels were one of the best teams in the late 80s and early 90s and haven't been able reach those heights ever since. California didn't have a great season in a weak Pac-12 so I'm going with UNLV in this one.

My Prediction: #5 UNLV win 70-67

#9 Missouri (23-10, 11-7 SEC) vs. #8 Colorado State (25-8, 11-5 MWC) @ 9:20 on TBS

The Missouri Tigers enjoyed limited success in moving to the SEC this year. Colorado State had a very good season in the MWC and this game appears to be a toss up. I'm giving the slight advantage to the Tigers as they had to play in a deeper SEC.

My Prediction: #9 Missouri win 65-64

#12 Akron (26-6, 14-2 MAC) vs. #5 VCU (26-8, 12-4 Atlantic 10) @ 9:45 on CBS

The VCU Rams went from being in the play-in game to the Final Four in 2011 and haven't been overlooked ever since. Coach Shaka Smart has done a lot with a small school that most didn't really know prior to his four years as head coach. This could be the last season we see Smart behind the VCU bench as other schools could try to persuade him to leave the Rams. I'm expecting them to make easy work of the 12 seed Akron Zips.

My Prediction: #5 VCU win 68-63

#14 Harvard (19-9, 11-3 Ivy League) vs. #3 New Mexico (29-5, 13-3 MWC) @ 9:50 on TNT

Harvard might have the smartest basketball team in the tournament, but they definitely aren't one of the best. They will rely on a four-guard lineup that will likely struggle against the Lobos. New Mexico finished first in the MWC this year in what has started to look like a promising basketball conference. Expect the Lobos to win by double digits.

My Prediction: #3 New Mexico win 74-62

#13 Montana (25-6, 19-1 Big Sky) vs. #4 Syracuse (26-9, 11-7 Big East) @ 9:57 on TRU TV

The last game of the night features the Syracuse Orange who could be on upset alert. As much as I dislike the Orange I just don't see them going out this early in the tournament. Between Michael Carter-Williams and Brandon Triche they should have enough to slow down Montana. The Orange should win a close game as they never seem to make it easy for themselves.

My Prediction: #4 Syracuse win 69-66

1/31 NBA & NCAA

Tonight's NBA Games:

Memphis Grizzlies (29-15) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (34-11)

The Grizzlies showed yesterday that business and money are more important than winning basketball games for their organization. The Grizzlies are the fourth best team in the West right now and should have been trying to improve their team rather than saving money. Trading Rudy Gay for basically Tayshaun Prince and Ed Davis will end up hurting the Grizzlies more than helping them.

The Thunder made a move similar to that of the Grizzlies earlier in the year when they got rid of James Harden. I thought back then and still do today that if they don't trade Harden they would end up winning the NBA Championship this year. While they haven't really missed a step all season, come playoff time they will regret getting rid of Harden.

As for tonight's game, the Grizzlies are visiting a Thunder team that has been unstoppable at home. With a 19-3 record on their homecourt most teams won't have much of a chance visiting them. Add that to the Grizzlies bringing in two new guys and losing one of their most important players and expect the Thunder to win this by double figures.

My prediction: Thunder win 104-91

Dallas Mavericks (34-11) @ Golden State Warriors (28-17)

Warriors somehow managed to win the other day without Stephen Curry, Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut. Klay Thompson is quietly become one of the best shooting guards in the NBA and reminds me of the style of play that Brandon Roy had before his knee injuries a few years ago. During the first game of the season between these two teams the Warriors were victorious when visiting the Mavericks.

In the Mavericks last nine games they are currently 6-3. They are showing some signs of life right now but when they are playing teams that are at the top of the West they tend to struggle. A win tonight could do a lot for this team if they want to continue to move in the right direction.

My prediction: Warriors win 102-98

Yesterday's NBA Results: 9-3

Washington Wizards (11-33) @ Philadelphia 76ers (19-26) - 76ers won 92-84
(Original prediction: 76ers win 102-92)

Detroit Pistons (17-29) @ Indiana Pacers (27-19) - Pacers won 98-79
(Original prediction: Pacers win 91-79)

Orlando Magic (14-31) @ New York Knicks (28-15) - Knicks won 113-97
(Original prediction: Knicks win 110-94)

Sacramento Kings (17-30) @ Boston Celtics (22-23) - Celtics won 99-81
(Original prediction: Celtics win 98-94)

Toronto Raptors (16-30) @ Atlanta Hawks (26-19) - Hawks won 93-92
(Original prediction: Hawks win 100-86)

Miami Heat (29-13) @ Brooklyn Nets (27-19) - Heat won 105-85
(Original prediction: Nets win 99-93)

Chicago Bulls (28-17) @ Milwaukee Bucks (24-20) - Bulls won 104-88
(Original prediction: Bucks win 96-94)

Los Angeles Clippers (34-13) @ Minnesota Timberwolves (17-25) - Clippers won 96-90
(Original prediction: Clippers win 108-96)

Charlotte Bobcats (11-34) @ San Antonio Spurs (37-11) - Spurs won 102-78
(Original prediction: Spurs win 96-80)

Houston Rockets (25-23) @ Denver Nuggets (29-18) - Nuggets won 118-110
(Original prediction: Nuggets win 103-94)

New Orleans Hornets (15-31) @ Utah Jazz (25-21) - Jazz won 104-99
(Original prediction: Jazz win 98-89)

Los Angeles Lakers (20-26) @ Phoenix Suns (16-30) - Suns won 92-86
(Original prediction: Lakers win 106-90)

Tonight's NCAA Games:

UConn (13-5) @ Providence (10-10)

Huskies are visiting the Friars who have been one of the weakest programs in the Big East for the last decade. Expect the Huskies to do what they have done to them a lot as of late, WIN.

My prediction: UConn wins 70-58

Illinois (15-6) @ #13 Michigan State (17-4)

Illinois started off the year really hot, but ever since they started BIG 10 play they have really struggled. They are 3-6 in their last nine games and it probably won't get better when they visit the Spartans. Tom Izzo has been one of the best coaches of the last 15 years in college basketball and every year he seems to have Michigan State contending in the Big 10 and come March in the NCAA Tournament.

My prediction: #13 Michigan State wins 72-65

#8 Arizona (17-2) @ Washington (12-8)

Is the old Arizona finally back? I'm starting to become a believer in the Wildcats. They have really impressed this season, and are currently looking like the best team in the Pac 12.

My prediction: #8 Arizona wins 74-66

#9 Butler (17-3) @ Saint Louis (14-5)
#7 Gonzaga (19-2) @ Loyola Marymount (8-12)

It's getting weird seeing both Butler and Gonzaga in the top 10. For the last 10-15 years both of them have shown that they can hang with schools in the larger conferences and this year they are finally getting the recognition they have deserved for the last decade plus.

I think Gonzaga will have an easy time tonight in their game, but I'm expecting the Butler Bulldogs to go down tonight.

My predictions: Saint Louis wins 66-65 and #7 Gonzaga wins 74-58

Yesterday's NCAA Results: 8-3

Northwestern (12-9) @ #1 Michigan (19-1) - #1 Michigan won 68-46
(Original prediction: #1 Michigan wins 75-61)

South Carolina (12-8) @ #4 Florida (17-2) - #4 Florida won 75-36
(Original prediction: #4 Florida wins 72-59)

#5 Duke (18-2) @ Wake Forest (10-10) - #5 Duke won 75-70
(Original prediction: #5 Duke wins 70-62)

#3 Indiana (19-2) @ Purdue (11-10) - #3 Indiana won 97-60
(Original prediction: #3 Indiana wins 69-67)

Rutgers (12-8) @ #24 Cincinnati (17-4) - #24 Cincinnati won 62-54
(Original prediction: #24 Cincinnati wins 68-57)

#17 Missouri (15-5) @ LSU (11-7) - LSU won 73-70
My prediction: #17 Missouri wins 72-64

Texas (9-11) @ #18 Kansas State (16-4) - #18 Kansas State won 83-57
My prediction: #18 Kansas State wins 70-60

Missouri State (6-16) @ #21 Creighton (19-3) - #21 Creighton won 91-77
My prediction: #21 Creighton wins 78-61

#14 Miami (FL) (16-3) @ Virginia Tech (11-9) - #14 Miami (FL) won 73-64
My prediction: #14 Miami (FL) wins 74-62

#20 New Mexico (18-3) @ Wyoming (15-5) - #20 New Mexico won 63-59
My prediction: Wyoming wins 68-65

#10 Oregon (18-3) @ Stanford (13-8) - Stanford won 76-53
My prediction: #10 Oregon wins 67-63