Sweet Sixteen Predictions

EAST REGION:

(1) NORTH CAROLINA VS (4) WASHINGTON STATE

UNC keys to victory-They need to play their way. They like an up tempo game where the outlet goes to sophomore PG Ty Lawson and he gets it to Marcus Ginyard, Danny Green, and Wayne Ellington on the perimeter or he gets it ahead to his big men in Tyler Hansbrough, Deon Thompson, and Alex Stepheson. If they got bogged down into a halfcourt game then Washington State has a fighting chance. If UNC uses their superb athletes and speed, they should not have a problem.

WSU keys to victory- They have to force their way on UNC because if they don't it will be a long night. They need to play excellent defense on the ball, meaning Derrick Low or Tyler Rochestie on Ty Lawson. They need to force him into turnovers and not let him push the ball. Aron Baynes needs to push around and out-muscle Tyler Hansbrough in the post. If the help D works out on Hansbrough, that would go a long way to winning this game.

Key Matchup- Ty Lawson vs Derrick Low. Whoever wins this battle will be an important factor in the pace and outcome of this game. If Lawson runs, good night Cougars but if Low frustrates him and scores as well, Washington State could pull the upset.

PREDICTION: NORTH CAROLINA 85 VS WASHINGTON STATE 70

(2) TENNESSEE VS (3) LOUISVILLE

UT keys to victory- Don't get demolished in the paint. Big men Duke Crews and Wayne Chism need to defend well in the post against the dearth of big men Louisville has in David Padgett, Earl Clark, Juan Palacios, and Derrick Caracter. If they can limit Louisville's point production in the post, then they can focus on their offense. Chris Lofton needs to find open shots and Bruce Pearl needs a big time game from his PG, whether it be JP Prince or Ramar Smith. If either one turnovers the ball more than getting assists, it will be a long night.

UL keys to victory- Play their style. They need to get open shots, break the UT press, and force turnovers defensively. This game is shaping up to be a track meet but on paper Louisville is the better overall team. They have size, speed, and experience at every position. They need to find David Padgett in the half-court game and make sure he finds the cutters and shooters. Edgar Sosa needs to stop thinking about his poor and inconsistent play this season because without quality minutes from him, this team may not win.

Key matchup- Earl Clark vs Tennessee forwards. He is the most versatile player on this team and if he has a big game, Louisville will win. He needs to get in the paint and cause problems for Chism and Crews.

PREDICTION: LOUISVILLE 84 VS TENNESSEE 78

WEST REGION:

(1) UCLA VS (12) WESTERN KENTUCKY

UCLA keys to victory- Play the way they can. Get Josh Shipp confidence and Kevin Love touches in the post. They should not a problem with this team unless they are not focused. Ben Howland will not let this team get surprised by WKU because their ultimate goal is the national title. Play UCLA ball and the game should be in cruise early in the second half.

WKY keys to victory- Don't be afraid. If they don't lie down because they are going up against UCLA then they could be in this game for a while. They need to find the open shots and not force anything because UCLA can play fast and slow. Get Courtney Lee his touches and let his teammates play off it. Knock down half of their threes and they have a fighting chance.

Key matchup- Kevin Love vs WKU post players. The Pac-10 Player of the Year needs to have his way early and often. Once he establishes his dominance in the paint and his teammates work off that, goodnight.

PREDICTION: UCLA 75 VS WESTERN KENTUCKY 61

(3) XAVIER VS (7) WEST VIRGINIA

XU keys to victory- Pressure the ball. They need to get after Joe Alexander, Alex Ruoff, and Joe Mazzulla. Ruoff is a great shooter but if they stick to him then he could have a long knight. They are the superior defensive squad and need to remember that. Get off to an early lead and it can be protected. An early deficit may be harder to play with. They need to find the shooters and if the defense clicks, the offense will follow.

WVU keys to victory- Get open shots for Alex Ruoff. The team feeds off his big shots as well as the tough play of Joe Alexander. The two lead this team emotionally and statistically so they can't be stifled by Xavier's pressure or they won't win. On defense, they need to contain the penetration of Drew Lavender and the steady hand of Stanley Burrell. Xavier is a balanced offensive team so a complete defensive effort for 40 mintues is needed.

Key matchup- Alex Ruoff vs Stanley Burrell- The winner of this matchup will determine the winner of the game. If Ruoff is not spreading the D, then Alexander will not have the same seams and one-on-one matchups. Burrell needs to be the leader that he is and shut down Ruoff.

PREDICTION: XAVIER 79 VS WEST VIRGINIA 72