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Michigan State Over Virginia – Someone Had to Lose
Sometimes teams are so evenly matches it is hard to say what actually gives someone the edge in a game. A defensive battle between Michigan State and Virginia went the Spartans way 61-59, possibly because of Branden Dawson being very close to unstoppable for most of the game.
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Michigan Over Tennessee – No More Upsets
It was a scary finish for Michigan, who almost let a double digit lead slip away from them in the final seconds. It was a courageous finish from Tennessee, but their upsetting days for this season are over, as Jordan McRae having a big night wasn’t enough to hold off the Wolverines, losing 73-71.
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UConn Over Iowa State – Shooting Makes All the Difference
The Sweet Sixteen game between UConn and Iowa State was going to be the highest scoring encounter of the stage and didn’t disappoint, but having more balance, with DeAndre Daniels, Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright, proved to be more important than one star doing all the work, as the Huskies moved into the Elite Eight with a 81-76 win.
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Kentucky Over Louisville – Experience is Overrated
All season long it looked like talent wasn’t going to be enough for this Kentucky team, and their inexperience and coaching will mean a disappointing and early finish to the tournament. But they’re leaping over every hurdle, beating state rival Louisville 74-69 to make it into the Elite Eight with big performances from Julius Randle and Dakari Johnson.
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NCAA Tournament – Sweet Sixteen Predictions (Michigan State vs Virginia, UConn vs Iowa State)
The East regional semifinals will be between slightly surprising Connecticut and Iowa State, while the main course of the evening to conclude the Sweet Sixteen portion of the 2014 NCAA tournament will take place between Michigan State and Virginia.
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NCAA Tournament – Sweet Sixteen Predictions (Kentucky vs Louisville, Tennessee vs Michigan)
In probably the strongest of the regions, the Midwest offers two excellent Sweet Sixteen games with Tennessee and Michigan playing before the main course of the day and what might be the biggest game of the night overall as the sibling rivalry of Kentucky and Louisville writes another chapter.
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Arizona Over San Diego State – Defense Makes All the Difference
Three things make Arizona great and national championship material: Their defense, Aaron Gordon and Nick Johnson. Defensive efficiency is almost a given, even against a tough San Diego State team which Arizona overcame 70-64, but Gordon leading the team until Johnson finally woke up in the final three minutes was just as important.
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Dayton Over Stanford – Cinderella Isn’t Done Yet
There always has to be one team that defies belief, and the Dayton Flyers are the ones doing it this year, carrying on their improbable march towards the Elite Eight with a 82-72 win over Stanford, showing once more just how valuable it is to have no stars but simply 12 players who do what they’re told and can contribute at any given time.
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Wisconsin Over Baylor – Overwhelming Right From the Start
In what was quite the contrast of styles from even before tip off, Wisconsin were a bit too much in pretty much every way imaginable for Baylor, tearing the matchup zone to shreds through a great game by Frank Kaminsky and once again presenting a defense that seemed like it was a bit too much for a slightly shocked Bears team, losing 69-52.
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Florida Over UCLA – According to Plan
This group that has done so well for Florida this season and in the past isn’t unfamiliar with being in the final eight of College Basketball. The 79-68 win over UCLA? Nothing but routine, mostly thanks to a big shooting night from Michael Frazier. But this time, the expectations from everyone are a lot higher.