Watch Flair's interview starting at 3:33, great stuff...YA'LL PAY HOMAGE TO THE MAN!!!!WOOOOOOOO!!!!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
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
(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
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Elite Eight Predictions
EAST REGION:
(1) NORTH CAROLINA VS (3) LOUISVILLE
TYLER HANSBROUGH VS DAVID PADGETT
DEON THOMPSON VS JUAN PALACIOS
MARCUS GINYARD VS TERRENCE WILLIAMS
WAYNE ELLINGTON VS JERRY SMITH
TY LAWSON VS ANDRE McGEE
UNC keys to victory- Keep doing what your doing. They need to push the ball and make sure Ty Lawson is not in foul trouble. Ginyard needs to have a superb defensive effort against Terrence Williams because his penetration sets up Jerry Smith and the rest of Louisville from the perimeter. Hansbrough needs to stay in the post and battle with David Padgett because he needs to have a big game. Danny Green needs another stellar performance from three and also playing tough D. The experience and explosiveness could put them over the top.
UL keys to victory- David Padgett must draw Hansbrough away from the hoop. Louisville will look to spread UNC on defense to allow for dribble penetration and one-on-one matchups in the post. Louisville has a great chance to win and they can't panic of they get down early because they can win this game. Rick Pitino has big game coaching experience and needs to make sure his team is settled down because they are emotional and feed off that intensity. Win the individual battles and win the war.
PREDICTION: NORTH CAROLINA 86 VS LOUISVILLE 84
WEST REGION:
(1) UCLA VS (3) XAVIER
KEVIN LOVE VS JOSH DUNCAN
LUC RICHARD MBAH A MOUTE VS DERRICK BROWN
JOSH SHIPP VS C.J. ANDERSON
RUSSELL WESTBROOK VS STANLEY BURRELL
DARREN COLLISON VS DREW LAVENDER
UCLA keys to victory- Play tough, play smart and don't fall behind. UCLA has gotten away with starting slow this tournament but they may not be as lucky if they fall early to Xavier. A strong start is essential and getting Kevin Love established against the undersized Musketeer front line will be important. Josh Shipp has been cold but is starting to warm up after his 14 point showing against Western Kentucky. The backcourt of Collison and Russell Westbrook need to cut back on turnovers and Collison needs to be especially careful guarding dyanmo Drew Lavender. If UCLA play the way they are capable of and don't fall behind, Ben Howland could be looking at a Final Four three-peat.
XU keys to victory- Well, since I forgot to finish this and UCLA has a seven point lead. I say they play tough D and not force the ball on offense.
PREDICTION(KIND OF): UCLA 70 VS XAVIER 63
(1) NORTH CAROLINA VS (3) LOUISVILLE
TYLER HANSBROUGH VS DAVID PADGETT
DEON THOMPSON VS JUAN PALACIOS
MARCUS GINYARD VS TERRENCE WILLIAMS
WAYNE ELLINGTON VS JERRY SMITH
TY LAWSON VS ANDRE McGEE
UNC keys to victory- Keep doing what your doing. They need to push the ball and make sure Ty Lawson is not in foul trouble. Ginyard needs to have a superb defensive effort against Terrence Williams because his penetration sets up Jerry Smith and the rest of Louisville from the perimeter. Hansbrough needs to stay in the post and battle with David Padgett because he needs to have a big game. Danny Green needs another stellar performance from three and also playing tough D. The experience and explosiveness could put them over the top.
UL keys to victory- David Padgett must draw Hansbrough away from the hoop. Louisville will look to spread UNC on defense to allow for dribble penetration and one-on-one matchups in the post. Louisville has a great chance to win and they can't panic of they get down early because they can win this game. Rick Pitino has big game coaching experience and needs to make sure his team is settled down because they are emotional and feed off that intensity. Win the individual battles and win the war.
PREDICTION: NORTH CAROLINA 86 VS LOUISVILLE 84
WEST REGION:
(1) UCLA VS (3) XAVIER
KEVIN LOVE VS JOSH DUNCAN
LUC RICHARD MBAH A MOUTE VS DERRICK BROWN
JOSH SHIPP VS C.J. ANDERSON
RUSSELL WESTBROOK VS STANLEY BURRELL
DARREN COLLISON VS DREW LAVENDER
UCLA keys to victory- Play tough, play smart and don't fall behind. UCLA has gotten away with starting slow this tournament but they may not be as lucky if they fall early to Xavier. A strong start is essential and getting Kevin Love established against the undersized Musketeer front line will be important. Josh Shipp has been cold but is starting to warm up after his 14 point showing against Western Kentucky. The backcourt of Collison and Russell Westbrook need to cut back on turnovers and Collison needs to be especially careful guarding dyanmo Drew Lavender. If UCLA play the way they are capable of and don't fall behind, Ben Howland could be looking at a Final Four three-peat.
XU keys to victory- Well, since I forgot to finish this and UCLA has a seven point lead. I say they play tough D and not force the ball on offense.
PREDICTION(KIND OF): UCLA 70 VS XAVIER 63
Thursday, March 27, 2008
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
(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
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Sweet Sixteen Set
EAST REGIONAL:
(1) NORTH CAROLINA VS (4) WASHINGTON STATE
(2) TENNESSEE VS (3) LOUISVILLE
MIDWEST REGIONAL:
(1) KANSAS VS (12) VILLANOVA
(3) WISCONSIN VS (10) DAVIDSON
SOUTH REGIONAL:
(1) MEMPHIS VS (5) MICHIGAN STATE
(2) TEXAS VS (3) STANFORD
WEST REGIONAL:
(1) UCLA VS (12) WESTERN KENTUCKY
(3) XAVIER VS (7) WEST VIRGINIA
(1) NORTH CAROLINA VS (4) WASHINGTON STATE
(2) TENNESSEE VS (3) LOUISVILLE
MIDWEST REGIONAL:
(1) KANSAS VS (12) VILLANOVA
(3) WISCONSIN VS (10) DAVIDSON
SOUTH REGIONAL:
(1) MEMPHIS VS (5) MICHIGAN STATE
(2) TEXAS VS (3) STANFORD
WEST REGIONAL:
(1) UCLA VS (12) WESTERN KENTUCKY
(3) XAVIER VS (7) WEST VIRGINIA
Friday, March 21, 2008
Day One and A Look Ahead to Round Two
Best Game: Belmont vs Duke
Nobody expected the game to be as close and as exciting as it was and a lot of fans know Duke got away. Belmont played Duke wire to wire and the big question for Duke heading into their tilt with West Virginia tomorrow is can they find their defense? If they play the way Coach K wants and needs them too, then tomorrow should be a great game because if they play lackluster D once again, they could be in deep trouble.
Biggest Disappointment: Kent St. vs UNLV
Kent St. scored exactly ten points in the first half, TEN! They were blitzed from the get-go by a surprisingly good UNLV team. They came to play and despite some late buckets from the Golden Flashes, the game was a blowout. Kansas should not be looking past this team because they could get a run for their money.
Biggest Surprise: Kansas St. vs USC
Frank Martin out-coached Tim Floyd in what was a surprising double digit win for Beasley and co. He put Dominique Sutton on OJ Mayo and "Juice" looked all squeezed out by the time the game was over. Mayo got his 20 but his points were late and were non-factors. Beasley got his (23pts and 11reb) but it was Billy Walker's 22pts and KSU's team surge in the first half that led to the victory. A date with Wisconsin is up next, and that is a game that KSU could win.
GAMES TO WATCH SATURDAY:
(4) Pittsburgh vs (5) Michigan State 2 P.M.
You have to love this game because you have the fast paced offense of the Spartans against the slow down game of the Panthers. Pittsburgh is the hot team and the big question will be if MSU's role players like Raymar Morgan, Kalin Lucas, Chris Allen, etc can make up the slack if senior Drew Neitzel falters again. Pittsburgh is on fire and should march towards a show down in Houston with Memphis.
(4) Pittsburgh 74 vs (5) Michigan State 70
(3) Stanford vs (6) Marquette 3 P.M.
Size and quickness always make for a great matchup. Marquette's guards dueling with the seven-foot Lopez twins of Stanford. Both have experience and both can get after the ball. Stanford has the size but Marquette coach Tom Crean has been to a Final Four and has experience. Stanford may have to go small but if they force Marquette to go big, watch out.
(3) Stanford 70 vs (6) Marquette 62
(4) Washington State vs (5) Notre Dame 1 P.M.
Offense against defense yet again. Washington State, one of the best and most efficient defenses in the nation going up against the shooting of Kyle McAlarney and the down low scoring of Luke Harangody. If ND can hit their shots, WSU will have to play farther out and that would open up Harangody down low. ND can't play their opponents game because a slow down game is what the Cougars want. It will be difficult for WSU to play their way but fans in Denver should be getting a great game.
(4) Washington State 71 vs (5) Notre Dame 76
(3) Xavier vs (6) Purdue 4:40 P.M.
Not many people expected Purdue to be so good so fast because of their youth. Matt Painter's group is now entering uncharted territory and Xavier is up next. Purdue boasts a balanced scoring attack with several key freshman in E'Twan Moore, Robbie Hummel, JuJuan Johnson, and Scott Martin. Xavier will look to shut down the Boilermaker attack with their suffocating defense led by Stanley Burrell. His defensive play along with the leadership of Drew Lavender should push the Musketeers into the Sweet Sixteen.
(3) Xavier 64 vs (6) Purdue 57
THE NEXT FOUR:
(3) Wisconsin 67 vs (11) Kansas State 60
(1) Kansas 84 vs (8) UNLV 70
(1) UCLA 75 vs (9) Texas A&M 68
(2) Duke 82 vs (7) West Virginia 76
Nobody expected the game to be as close and as exciting as it was and a lot of fans know Duke got away. Belmont played Duke wire to wire and the big question for Duke heading into their tilt with West Virginia tomorrow is can they find their defense? If they play the way Coach K wants and needs them too, then tomorrow should be a great game because if they play lackluster D once again, they could be in deep trouble.
Biggest Disappointment: Kent St. vs UNLV
Kent St. scored exactly ten points in the first half, TEN! They were blitzed from the get-go by a surprisingly good UNLV team. They came to play and despite some late buckets from the Golden Flashes, the game was a blowout. Kansas should not be looking past this team because they could get a run for their money.
Biggest Surprise: Kansas St. vs USC
Frank Martin out-coached Tim Floyd in what was a surprising double digit win for Beasley and co. He put Dominique Sutton on OJ Mayo and "Juice" looked all squeezed out by the time the game was over. Mayo got his 20 but his points were late and were non-factors. Beasley got his (23pts and 11reb) but it was Billy Walker's 22pts and KSU's team surge in the first half that led to the victory. A date with Wisconsin is up next, and that is a game that KSU could win.
GAMES TO WATCH SATURDAY:
(4) Pittsburgh vs (5) Michigan State 2 P.M.
You have to love this game because you have the fast paced offense of the Spartans against the slow down game of the Panthers. Pittsburgh is the hot team and the big question will be if MSU's role players like Raymar Morgan, Kalin Lucas, Chris Allen, etc can make up the slack if senior Drew Neitzel falters again. Pittsburgh is on fire and should march towards a show down in Houston with Memphis.
(4) Pittsburgh 74 vs (5) Michigan State 70
(3) Stanford vs (6) Marquette 3 P.M.
Size and quickness always make for a great matchup. Marquette's guards dueling with the seven-foot Lopez twins of Stanford. Both have experience and both can get after the ball. Stanford has the size but Marquette coach Tom Crean has been to a Final Four and has experience. Stanford may have to go small but if they force Marquette to go big, watch out.
(3) Stanford 70 vs (6) Marquette 62
(4) Washington State vs (5) Notre Dame 1 P.M.
Offense against defense yet again. Washington State, one of the best and most efficient defenses in the nation going up against the shooting of Kyle McAlarney and the down low scoring of Luke Harangody. If ND can hit their shots, WSU will have to play farther out and that would open up Harangody down low. ND can't play their opponents game because a slow down game is what the Cougars want. It will be difficult for WSU to play their way but fans in Denver should be getting a great game.
(4) Washington State 71 vs (5) Notre Dame 76
(3) Xavier vs (6) Purdue 4:40 P.M.
Not many people expected Purdue to be so good so fast because of their youth. Matt Painter's group is now entering uncharted territory and Xavier is up next. Purdue boasts a balanced scoring attack with several key freshman in E'Twan Moore, Robbie Hummel, JuJuan Johnson, and Scott Martin. Xavier will look to shut down the Boilermaker attack with their suffocating defense led by Stanley Burrell. His defensive play along with the leadership of Drew Lavender should push the Musketeers into the Sweet Sixteen.
(3) Xavier 64 vs (6) Purdue 57
THE NEXT FOUR:
(3) Wisconsin 67 vs (11) Kansas State 60
(1) Kansas 84 vs (8) UNLV 70
(1) UCLA 75 vs (9) Texas A&M 68
(2) Duke 82 vs (7) West Virginia 76
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