The whirlwind of the first four days is over and now we get to the nitty gritty. It’s Sweet Sixteen time!
We rank each team by region.
East Region
- Duke Blue Devils
- Michigan State Spartans
- LSU Tigers
- Virginia Tech Hokies
So on the surface this looks like chalk because is chalk but the decision LSU and Virginia Tech was close. The Hokies are a different team with Justin Robinson. And it’s a legit question to ask if LSU is the same without head coach Will Wade.
Predictions:
Duke over Va Tech
Michigan State over LSU
West Region
- Gonzaga Bulldogs
- Florida State Seminoles
- Michigan Wolverines
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
This draw is a bad beat for Florida State. Yes, they beat Gonzaga last year in the tournament but this Bulldog team is a different beast. The Noles have played excellent over the last month. They’ve won eight of their last nine with the only loss coming in the ACC Finals to Duke.
They will keep it close with Gonzaga for a while because of their defense but, expect the Zags to pull away.
Predictions:
Gonzaga over Florida State
Michigan over Texas Tech
South Region
- Virginia Cavaliers
- Purdue Boilermakers
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Oregon Ducks
This region has been shockingly good. Oregon has kept up it’s momentum from the Pac-12 tournament. UVA has treated their opponents as they should and Purdue’s Carsen Edwards is playing like the Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year.
Both games in the region have the potential to come down to the last two minutes and might present fans with the most compelling games.
Predictions:
Oregon over UVA
Purdue over Tennessee
Midwest Region
- North Carolina Tar Heels
- Auburn Tigers
- Houston Cougars
- Kentucky Wildcats
Without PJ Washington, Kentucky isn’t Kentucky. Houston’s Kelvin Sampson has put together back to back solid runs in the NCAA tournament and was a Michigan Miracle from the Sweet 16 last season.
Auburn is playing just as well as North Carolina and one could have argued from the Tigers. UNC gets it but they’ll have to prevent an onslaught of three pointers from Auburn. Tar Heels looking to rebound from last year’s embarrassing tournament loss to fellow SEC member, Texas A&M.
Predictions:
North Carolina over Auburn
Houston over Kentucky
