2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
It has been a pretty wild ride to get to this point.
A team from the First 4 is still in it, a #15 seed beat a #2 seed, then won again to make the Sweet Sixteen for the first time ever. Even the favourites who won got their by the skin of their teeth – I am looking at you Indiana and Ohio State.
Despite all the hoopla of the opening week things tend to settle down once we get to this stage as the blue blood programs gain their bearings.
This week is more likely to play true to form.
#6 Arizona defeats #2 Ohio State
I have been down on Ohio State all season long and it is fair to say they were outplayed by Iowa State in their last game (more than fair). Arizona has lots of size and experience and will win a hard fought battle against the Buckeyes. I am looking for the re-emergence of forward Solomon Hill to keep the Wildcats going.
#9 Wichita State over #13 La Salle
Its a shame that one of these teams has to lose because they are both good stories. The Shockers showed a lot in holding off #1 seed Gonzaga while plucky La Salle has been playing with fire the last two games while advancing. The Shockers seem like the smart play to advance but the lines are not favouring them too much.
It all comes down to three point shooting. Whoever makes more should win.
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#2 Miami over #3 Marquette
It won’t help the Hurricanes that big center Reggie Johnson is out but they have played without him before and done well. The Canes have been my pick to claim the East Region all along and even though Marquette is a formidable foe I see no reason to change my outlook.
This should be a great game with Miami proving that they belong on the national stage – at least for this season.
#1 Indiana over #4 Syracuse
Indiana was sluggish against Temple. By all rights they should have lost that game but nevertheless here they are. Syracuse will not shy away from the Hoosiers who will be challenged to figure out their 2-3 zone. Indiana has the shooters to do it but will need center Cody Zeller to also be a factor on the glass. Temple showed what one superlative player can do against IU.
Syracuse has a lot of good but not great players.
(Temple guard Khalif Wyatt did a number on them too)
#1 Louisville over #12 Oregon
It has been a nice run for the underseeded Ducks but I am afraid it ends now. It is hard to see how they are going to be able to succeed against a Louisville team that is justifying that top seed placement with each game. [ad-6571516]
This one might not even be that close if the Cardinals match their defensive intensity with another strong offensive performance.
#2 Michigan State over #2 Duke
Another example of the strength of the Big Ten this season. The Spartans have great depth and toughness. They will make if difficult for Duke to run their stuff and the lack of a signature player for the Blue Devils will be revealed. I think this one has great potential for a blowout by MSU.
I would definitely get on their side of things.
Duke has failed to impress.
#4 Michigan over #1 Kansas
Something has seemed off about Kansas in this tournament while Michigan hasn’t looked better. They are using their athleticism to get the job done and getting contributions from many different players. If they can get shooter Nick Stauskas going again then look out.
They beat VCU by more than 20 points last round and he didn’t even make a 3 pointer.
Michigan is a strong play on Friday.
#3 Florida over #15 Florida Gulf Coast
Kudos for FGCU for handling all of this attention so wonderfully. Their play has been impressive but it would be their biggest upset to date if they are able to dump the big brother Gators. I had Florida in my original Final Four predictions and their opponent this week just makes that seem even more likely.
I just hope it is a decent game entertainmentwise.
If you are holding out hope for FGCU you can cite that they did beat Miami this season.
