-
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.
-
Miami Heat – Finally Something Easy
This hasn’t been the easiest of seasons for the Miami Heat. The expectations of a three-peat with a squad that’s growing older, and more for LeBron James to burden than before. The team needed an easy win for a change, and got just that from the Detroit Pistons, winning 110-78 with James pulling off his first triple double of the season.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Los Angeles Clippers – Ruining Playoff Dreams for Others
Following a rough loss on the road to a bad team, the Los Angeles Clippers needed to bounce back, and through a huge game from Chris Paul and some impressive fourth quarter heroics from everyone, they got by the Dallas Mavericks with a 109-103 win, also sending the Mavs, at least for now, out of the top 8 in the West.
-
Portland Trail Blazers – LaMarcus Aldridge Makes it All Better
The Portland Trail Blazers needed something to spark them back into life as we get closer to the playoffs. Playing against the struggling Atlanta Hawks and winning 100-85 is always good for the record, but getting LaMarcus Aldridge back after seven games is even more important.
-
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.
-
Houston Rockets – Jeremy Lin & James Harden Not the Story This Time
The Houston Rockets are going through very good stretch at the moment thanks to a soft schedule. James Harden is playing some very good individual basketball, notching a career triple double, while Jeremy Lin got some extended minutes thanks to Patrick Beverley going down. But the story this time was something else, as their 120-98 win over the Philadelphia 76ers meant an NBA record of consecutive losses was tied, and will probably be broken over the weekend.
-
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.