Previewing the Sweet Sixteen

After two great rounds of college basketball, we now have the final sixteen teams of the NCAA tournament. Let's take a look at each matchup.

Midwest Region:
(9) Northern Iowa vs. (5) Michigan State
The Panthers are a huge Cinderella story after knocking off #1 seed Kansas, and they will take on Tom Izzo and his Michigan State Spartans. Kalin Lucas may have torn his Achilles against Maryland, and that will set back MSU. I still think the depth of MSU will lead them over Northern Iowa.

(6) Tennessee vs. (2) Ohio State
Ohio State has played well so far, but Tennessee has looked very good in their previous games, albeit against San Diego State and Ohio. I'll take the upset and predict a Tennessee win.

East Region:
(12) Cornell vs. (1) Kentucky
Cornell, the Ivy League champs, are one of the many Cinderella's left. With Kansas out, Kentucky is a very popular pick to win it all. I think the Big Red will stick with UK, but in the end, John Wall and Co. will pull out.

(11) Washington vs. (2) West Virginia
The Huskies are showing many people how good they can be, despite a tough season for Washington. West Virginia is a very solid team, and is definitely a contender for the title. As much as I want a Pac-10 team to win, I'll go with West Virginia in this one.

West Region:
(5) Butler vs. (1) Syracuse
Butler has looked good in their first two games, but Syracuse is getting a great contribution from star forward Wesley Johnson, who scored 31 points for them in their rout of eight seed Gonzaga in round 2. I'll take Syracuse over the Bulldogs.

(6) Xavier vs. (2) Kansas State
Xavier has been one of the most consistent teams in the country the past few years, reaching the sweet sixteen for the past three years. Kansas State has quietly been playing a great tournament, led by Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente. I'll take K-State in a close one over Xavier.

South Region:
(4) Purdue vs. (1) Duke
Purdue slid by Texas A&M and Siena, and have looked different without standout forward Robbie Hummel. Duke has played very well in the tourney, and looks to be firing on all cylinders. I'll take Duke to advance into the elite eight.

(10) St. Mary's vs. (3) Baylor
Another Cinderella team, St. Mary's shocked many by stunning 2 seed Villanova in the second round. Baylor has been led by Tweety Carter, and have so far beaten expectations in the tournament. I'll take Baylor in a tight one.