Cody's Blog

With Purdue’s surprising 63-61 defeat of the Texas A&M Aggies in overtime, the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 is set. Of the final 16 teams left in March, 3 of them are one seeds (Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke), 3 of them are two seeds (Kansas State, Ohio State, West Virginia), only 1 three seed remains in Baylor, and 3 double digit seeds also reamain; #12 Cornell, #11 Washington, and #10 Saint Mary’s. In last year’s Sweet 16, all four of each of the one, two, and three seeds, as well as only one double digit seed in Arizona. From these simple numbers, it is becoming clear that the supposed mid-majors and other small powers are becoming increasingly competitive and there is more parity in the game today than we have ever had before. Below, I offer my analysis of each of the Sweet 16 match-ups.

Midwest

#9 Northern Iowa vs. #5 Michigan State- The Spartans are the only team from last year’s Final Four still left in the tourney. After eking out an 85-83 win over Maryland on Korie Lucious’ buzzer beating three, the Spartans collide with an extremely solid Northern Iowa team. With only three double digit scorers, the Panthers rely on their control of the tempo and contributions from each player. However they do have the proven tournament formula: a great backcourt in Kwadzo Ahelegbe and Ali Farokhmanesh and a solid big man in 7 footer Jordan Eglseder. With the upset of Kansas, I like the Panthers to continue their streak right into the Elite Eight. Winner: Northern Iowa

#6 Tenneesse vs. #2 Ohio State- The Buckeyes rely so much on junior Evan Turner. He leads Ohio State in points per game (19.9), rebounds (9.2), and assists (5.9). They also have three other great players averaging 12 or more in Jon Dielbler, William Buford, and David Lighty. Both the Buckeyes and Volunteers have basically the same tempo, and with similar styles, they should present a great game on March 26th. I think that Ohio State advances here, but if Evan Turner has a bad game, it could be rough sledding for the Buckeyes because they rely so much on him. Winner: Ohio State

West

#5 Butler vs. #1 Syracuse- The Orange showed that they can really play in their 22 point defeat of Gonzaga. All five of the starters average in double figures, led by Wes Johnson and Andy Rautins. Butler gets similar scoring from four players, but plays a much slower tempo game. Butler is a great team, and 30 wins is nothing to shake a stick at, but the talent of the Syracuse Orange will be too much for the Bulldogs as they will advance to their 7th all time Elite Eight. Winner: Syracuse Orange

#6 Xavier vs. #2 Kansas State- The Musketeers are a sneaky team. Led by phenom Jordan Crawford (yes, the same Jordan Crawford that dunked on LeBron James), Xavier has put together a similar run to their Sweet 16 appearance of last year. Kansas State, on the other hand, is by far the better team on paper. With two great guards in Jacob Pullen and Dennis Clemente, and two great post players in Curtis Kelly and Jamar Samuels, the Wildcats are poised for a deep run in the tourney. You can’t under estimate this Xavier team, but KSU will most likely be too much. Winner: Kansas State

East

#12 Cornell vs. #1 Kentucky- This one of the more intriguing match ups. The Kentucky Wildcats would seem to have the edge with John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, and Patrick Patterson. But the Cornell Big Red from the Ivy league have their own stacked team. With great guard play from guards Ryan Whitman and Louis Dale and a big man in the middle in 7 footer Jeff Foote. Kentucky scores 80 points a game, while the Big Red put in a respectable 75 a game themselves. With similar styles, this could be one of the best 1 vs. 12 matc ups that the tounament has ever seen. Winner: Kentucky

#11 Washington vs. #2 West Virginia- Washington is peaking at the right time with 9 straight wins, but the Mountaineers are no slouch. The brawler from the Big East boast two of the most talented players left in the tourney in Devin Ebanks and De’Sean Butler, and only allow 63 points per game. Washington scores more points per game at 79, but I think that defense wins this one. Winner: West Virginia

South

#4 Purdue vs. #1 Duke- I think that this might be the easiest  of the eight picks to make. With the big three of Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler, and Nolan Smith and an impressive 77 point per game and a 31-5 record, I think that they will be too much for the Robbie Hummel-less Purdue Boilermakers. Winner: Duke

#10 Saint Mary’s vs. #3 Baylor- The surprise story of the tournament so far, the Gaels have slayed #7 Richmond and #2 Villanova and center Omar Samhan has been huge with 61 points and 19 rebounds. (including 8 of those offensive boards) Baylor, mean while is the better team on paper. With a loaded starting five of Tweety Carter, LaceDarius Dunn, Qunicy Acy, Josh Lomars, and shot blocker Ekpe Udoh, the Bears have the talent to make it all the way. Also having the proven tournament formula, I think that the Baylor Bears have too much for the Gaels to handle behind Udoh and Dunn. Winner: Baylor

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