Elite Eight Predictions (Part Two)

SOUTH REGION:

(1) MEMPHIS VS (2) TEXAS

JOEY DORSEY VS CONNOR ATCHLEY

ROBERT DOZIER VS DAMION JAMES

CHRIS DOUGLAS-ROBERTS VS JUSTIN MASON

ANTONIO ANDERSON VS AJ ABRAMS

DERRICK ROSE VS DJ AUGUSTIN

UM keys to victory- They need to pressure and disrupt Abrams and Augustin. Texas uses ball screens to give the handlers open space but the Tigers need to fight through the picks and screens to stay in front of the Longhorn backcourt. Offensively they need to keep doing what they are doing. Rose needs to have a big game against Augustin because when he is on, he gets his teammates involved and this Memphis team plays at another level. Robert Dozier vs Damion James is the key matchup because if Dozier can score and get him in foul trouble, then Texas could have problems.

UT keys to victory- Great guard play once again. DJ Augustin is the heart and soul of this team. He needs to be on his game because if he is not, Texas could be in for a long night. AJ Abrams will have a taller defender on him and will need to use his speed and elusiveness to create space for his shot. Justin Mason is the glue of this team and will have to limit the points for Chris Douglas-Roberts. In the frontcourt, James and Connor Atchley must rebound and defend against the more athletic Memphis players. Atchley's ability to spread the floor with the three will be important.

PREDICTION: TEXAS 84 VS MEMPHIS 82

MIDWEST REGION:

(1) KANSAS VS (10) DAVIDSON

DARNELL JACKSON VS THOMAS SANDER

DARRELL ARTHUR VS ANDREW LOVEDALE

BRANDON RUSH VS MAX PAULHUS GOSSELIN

RUSSELL ROBINSON VS STEPHEN CURRY

MARIO CHALMERS VS JASON RICHARDS

KU keys to victory- Play like you have been here before. The Jayhawks have no reason to lose this game. They have size, talent, experience, and the burning desire to go to the Final Four. Arthur, Jackson, and Sasha Kaun have a big time size advantage over Davidson and will need to use it. Defensively, Robinson needs to do everything he can to stop Stephen Curry. If Kansas is focused and ready to play, they will be heading to San Antonio

DC keys to victory- Don't think you are Cinderella because this game is winnable. They need to follow the same blueprint as they have this entire tournament. Curry needs to get his and Jason Richards needs to be solid handling and distributing the basketball. Lovedale and Sander will have their hands full but if they can play tough D, Davidson can stay in this game. In the end, Kansas may have just too much for the Wildcats.

PREDICTION: KANSAS 84 VS DAVIDSON 72