Butler vs. Syracuse: Syracuse has rolled through their first two games and Butler has handled UTEP and Murray State. Syracuse has a superior offensive team (6th in scoring, 1st in FG%) whose main two problems are turnovers (272nd) and FT shooting (216th). Butler holds opponents down in scoring (10th) but their defensive FG% defense is worse than Syracuse. Syracuse doesn't have a large advantage on the boards but does block the 7th most shots in the land. And while Onuaku may not playing, Rick Jackson leads the team in blocks and Wes Johnson leads them in rebounds.
Butler is good enough to spring an upset but I like Syracuse 70 Butler 65.
Xavier vs. Kansas State: As I read Badger fans defend Bo Ryan's March resume, I remind them of the success of Xavier who is making this Sweet 16 thing look easy. I like this matchup a lot. Both teams statistically matchup almost evenly, with Xavier having a slight advantage in both offensive and defensive FG%. Rebounding is about dead even, too.
The K-State red flags for me are a 67% at the free throw line vs. Xavier at 71%. K-State is 227th in turnovers while Xavier is 100 - though K-State forces more sort of equaling that out. K-State also commits 4 more personal fouls per game.
I think this is a toss-up. K-State is slightly better in the backcourt but not significantly so. Give me Xavier in a slight upset, 77-73.
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