SOUTH REGION
Gonzaga vs. UCLA- The best part of never watching ESPN or other cable outlets do highlights anymore is, I haven't seen the Adam Morrison crying video all week! I've mentioned UCLA is lucky to be this far, utilizing a big break in the SMU game and beating a 14-seed. The luck ends here. The Zags are a pretty big favorite in Vegas and for KenPom. They looked pedestrian against North Dakota State but ran Iowa off the court. Kyle Wiltjer has been playing like a man on fire. UCLA should get some buckets but their defense isn't good enough to slow down Gonzaga. The Pick: Gonzaga 79 UCLA 72
Duke vs. Utah- This is a great Sweet 16 match up. Duke is 6th in KenPom and Utah is 8th. Duke's defensive efficiency has improved quite a bit in the last month and this game I don't think it'll be an issue simply because Utah doesn't push tempo. If Duke gets out and can run, Utah will have a tough time keeping up. If it's a half court game, I also don't see Utah running away from the Devils. For Utah to win, it'll probably have to be a close game. They have some big bodies that could cause some problems for Duke. Okafor will have to be nimble on defense and avoid fouls early. Utah can put bodies against him. Duke should really focus on harassing Delon Wright and make it difficult for him to make clean passes. Let's see how Quinn Cook defends him. KenPom sees a toss-up. Think that's right but Duke finds an extra gear late and pulls away. The Pick: Duke 70 Utah 63
EAST REGION
NC State vs.Louisville- My expectations for this game are pure chaos. Louisville is a terrible offensive team. NC State is very talented but prone to confounding basketball. They've also been pretty lucky. LSU ought to be kicking themselves for not getting a shot at Villanova. Villanova ought to be kicking themselves for missing so many layups and open 3's. NC State played as well as they could and almost coughed up the Nova game. They played as bad as they could and stole the LSU game. Louisville is coming off of one of their best games of the year. I can't believe their going to the Elite 8, but I'm picking them in what could be an ugly game. The Pick: Louisville 54 NC State 51
Michigan State vs. Oklahoma- You'll hear a lot about two things tomorrow. One will be the slobber fest that is Izzo/March. The other will be how much better Oklahoma is on defense this year. Play the drinking game to both. You'll die. Both teams have been pretty unlucky this year, though I'll argue Michigan State has created most of its bad luck. if you've watched them, they've found ways to lose or put themselves in position to lose. They've avoided that through the first two games to their credit. I think if bad Sparty show up, Oklahoma pounces. Buddy Hield is pretty well-known in Big XII circles but lesser so nationally. Think that changes tomorrow. Despite the seeding, this is a close game in Vegas and KenPom. I jumped the Sooner bandwagon in January and will stay on it. The Pick: Oklahoma 62 Michigan State 58
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