The Sweet 16 is now set. Through four amazing days of basketball, we have seen those we thought were supposed to go far go home very early(Kansas, Villanova, Georgetown), while others given no shot make a cinderella run to the second weekend(Cornell, Washington). Now that we are down to 16 teams, who is the favorite to win it all?
We told you last week that Kansas wasn’t going to win it all, though we did expect them to get to the Final Four. Now the top overall seed is out, we see three teams now emerging as the odds on favorites to cut down the nets.
1. Kentucky
The Wildcats have been the most impressive team of any through the first weekend, and after they dispose of Cornell, their first “real” test will likely come from West Virginia. John Calipari’s bunch should have enough to get past West Virginia, and even if they wind up seeing Duke in the national semifinal, they will be favored in every game they play going forward.
2. Duke
Should Kentucky slip up, Coach K’s group would be next in line to be favored to win it all. Duke’s next foes include a Purdue team they “should” be able to outlast, and then likely Baylor. While I originally picked Baylor to win in a relative home game(Houston), Duke is a better team on paper, and will be favored by the oddsmakers.
3. Syracuse
The 1 seed out West will see a tough challenge in Butler in the Sweet 16 round, and are staring at an even tougher matchup with Kansas State in the Elite Eight. Should they get past both of those, the winner of the bracket formerly known as Kansas’ will be underdogs against the ‘Cuse.
Most Anticipated Sweet 16 Matchup: Tennessee vs. Ohio State
The Vols match up very well with the Buckeyes, and coach Bruce Pearl knows his bracket is one for the taking right now. Expect a classic close one.
Likely Sweet 16 Blowout: Kentucky vs. Cornell
Cornell has had a good run, by Coach Cal’s group’s motto “Refuse 2 Lose” will ring true here. Expect this one to be over early in the second half.
And The Winners Are (Predictions)
After it is all said and done, here are the 8 teams we expect to move on to the regional final round.
(Winners in bold)
Northern Iowa vs. Michigan St.
Tennessee vs. Ohio St.
Syracuse vs. Butler
Xavier vs. Kansas St.
Kentucky vs. Cornell
West Virginia vs. Washington
Duke vs. Purdue
Baylor vs. St. Marys
We are going with the higher seeded team in every single of the Sweet 16 games. Of course, that means we will be wrong in at least 2 of these picks, but can you tell us which ones?
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