Thursday: It's time for some Sweet 16 predictions

The wait is over! It’s Thursday, and time for those Sweet 16 games!

Lets get to those predictions, region by region.

South, Thursday

No. 10 Stanford vs. No. 11 Dayton, 6:15 p.m. (CST), CBS: These are the two teams I know the littlest about. But I watched each play both of their games and both are excellent squads. Stanford boasts a strong frontcourt, led by Dwight Powell. Dayton plays strong defense with timely shooting. I like the Flyers in this one. They came up clutch against both Ohio State and Syracuse. This one will be close, but Dayton prevails. 

Dayton 60 Stanford 59.

No. 1 Florida vs. No. 4 UCLA, 30 minutes after game 1, CBS: Here’s a battle of different styles. Florida lives for the half court, where its suffocating defense wears opponents down. UCLA, on the other hand, likes to get out in transition and score quickly in its set offense. The Bruins will need to be patient and efficient on offense if they want to stick with the top-seeded Gators. I don’t think they can. 

Florida 70 UCLA 61.

West, Thursday

No. 6 Baylor vs. No. 2 Wisconsin, 6:47 p.m., TBS: This one will be interesting. Both teams like to score, as both put up big numbers in the round of 32. Baylor has size that will give the Badgers fits with Cory Jefferson and Isaiah Austin. Wisconsin has shooters at every position, making them extremely difficult to guard. However, Baylor wins this one because of its length and athleticism. It’s just a bad matchup for the Badgers. 

Baylor 75 Wisconsin 70.

No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 San Diego State, 30 minutes after game 1, TBS: This is a rematch of earlier this year, when Arizona took down the Aztecs in the second game of the year. The Wildcats have been playing fantastic basketball, while SDSU struggled with New Mexico State and North Dakota State in the first two rounds. However, the Aztecs will give Arizona all it can handle with their half court defense. Wildcats win, but it won’t be easy. 

Arizona 62 San Diego State 57.

Midwest, Friday

No. 11 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Michigan, 6:15 p.m., CBS: You want athleticism, tune into this one Friday night. Tennessee has plenty of it, led by Josh Richardson and Jordan McRae. Michigan is led by Glenn Robinson III and Nik Stauskas and can score with anyone in the country. I like Tennessee in this one though. The Volunteers are playing great basketball and beat their last two opponents by an average of 17 points. Michigan can score, but Tennessee shuts it down. 

Tennessee 68 Michigan 62.

No. 4 Louisville vs. Kentucky, 30 minutes after game 1, CBS: This is the one everyone is talking about. The rivalry game. The rematch. Rick Pitino vs. John Calipari. Kentucky is finally playing well and Louisville struggled in each of its first two games, so the logical choice would be the Wildcats. But, I picked the Cardinals to go to the Final Four and I’m sticking with them. 

Louisville 78 Kentucky 75.

East, Friday

No. 7 Connecticut vs. No. 3 Iowa State, 6:27 p.m., TBS: Here’s another dream matchup, Shabazz Napier vs. Deandre Kane. Other than Florida’s Scottie Wilbekin, these are the two best point guards remaining in this tournament. Both have hit clutch shots this tourney and both will make big plays Friday. Kane has the better supporting cast though, and Iowa State wins this one in an epic battle. 

Iowa State 80 Connecticut 78.

No. 1 Virginia vs. No. 4 Michigan State, 30 minutes after game 1, TBS: This one will be a bloodbath. Both teams play brutal defense and rebound extremely well. Offensively, both squads are as efficient as they come. Virginia is led by Joe Harris, who’s playmaking abilities are unrivaled. However, Michigan State has too many weapons for Virginia’s defense to stop and Adreian Payne will give the Caviliers too many problems inside. 

Michigan State 67 Virginia 63.

Things I Missed

-Rick Reilly writes about Sean and Archie Miller’s run to the Sweet 16.

-Tennessee’s Cuanzo Martin has been criticized for many years, but he’s finally making a difference.

-Northwestern football players take one step closer to being allowed to unionize. 

Thanks for reading and enjoy the games tonight!

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