2010 NCAA Tournament Predictions, Sweet Sixteen

NCAA Sweet 16 Picks – All Regions

Midwest Regional
Picks by KB

#4 Michigan St vs. #9 Northern Iowa

Pretty sure no one but a 17 year old had this match up picked. But, it is as real as Northern Iowa. This team came to play and is showing they are every bit better than the nine seed they recieved at the beginning of this tournament.

With Kalin Lucas out for the Spartans, look for Northern Iowa’s Cinderalla story to continue into the Elite Eight.

Michigan State showed last week that not having Lucas is a problem by blowing a double digit lead to Maryland and getting bailed out on a buzzer beating three to get into the sweet sixteen.

#2 Ohio State vs. #6 Tennessee

Ohio State should be saying their blessings every day for the road to the Final Four that has been presented to them.

#1 seed Kansas gets upset by Northern Iowa, #3 seed Hoyas s**t the bed against Ohio in the opening round, and Michigan State is now without their best player in Lucas.

You would think the Buckeyes should cruise into the Final Four.

Not so fast my friend.

The past two weeks have shown a trend of OSU starting out slow and sloppy (just how I like my girls, not basketball games). This will be an extremely close game throughout, but I look for John Diebler and David Lighty to continue to pick up the slack for Evan Turners horrible play (mainly turnovers) and push the Bucks into the elite eight. O-H!!!

East Regional
Picks by MC McMahon

Ok, so it turns out even with the countless hours I spent watching college basketball this winter, I couldn’t pick a winner with tomorrow’s newspaper today.

#1 Kentucky vs #12 Cornell

Jesus, was I wrong about the Cornell Nard-Dogs. Turns out they can ball. But the buck will finally stop here. Big Blue has too much of everything for Cinderella — too much speed, size, and ability.

The Nard-Dogs haven’t faced anyone like John Wall and Co. the entire year, let alone this tournament. Cats roll, and we see the end of the amusing Cornell post-game news conference.

#11 Washington vs #2 West Virginia

It turns out the only team I was more wrong about than Cornell was U-Dub. Quincy Pondexter has been an animal all season long, and the Huskies can really fill it up.

The Mountaineers have not been impressive in the least in the tourney, and with the loss of Truck Bryant, I anticipate the annual Bob Huggins Early Exit to happen this weekend.

West Regional
Picks by atom

6-2 in the first round. 3-1 in the second. I am seeing a trend here.

Unfortunately, there is no way to get 75% of them right when there are only two games. Fortunately, I have the region that has been the most predictable of them all, and I am assuming this will continue.

#1 Syracuse vs #5 Butler

Butler is riding the nation’s longest winning streak at the moment, but they are playing by far the toughest game they have had during this streak. While I do believe Butler will give The Orange a great game, Syracuse will pull away in the end.

Winner – Syracuse 69-63

#2 Kansas State vs  #6 Xavier

I have picked against Xavier in two straight rounds, and both times it has come back to bite me in the ass.

Minnesota and Pitt could not match up to Crawford and this extremely talented Xavier team. But regardless of how dumb it might be, I am going against them again.

Kansas State has been playing as well as anyone in the tournament so far, and I see this continuing. But Xavier does not go down easily.

Winner – Kansas State 88-85 OT (Yeah that’s right, I’m predicting overtime)

South Regional
Picks by Jp14

#1 Duke vs #4 Purdue

Against my better judgment, I’m gonna have to go against Alex on this one. Duke has been cruising through the tournament so far and this game should not be any acception.

Duke is too deep for Purdue, who, while they have been playing well without Hummel, haven’t played against competetion anywhere close to Duke.

#3 Baylor vs #10 St. Mary’s

I have been riding the St. Mary’s train so far with much success, but I think this is where I get off. Omar Samhan has been a very pleasant surprise to many, scoring over 30 points in both tournament games so far.

It is very difficult to pick a winner in this one, as this may be the closest match up this weekend. I pick Baylor because of their amazingly athletic backcourt and because I have to make a choice.