Predicting the Sweet Sixteen Showdowns

There are no Cinderella stories to rally behind, but the Sweet 16 features plenty of magnificent matchups. With no further ado, here are my predictions:

EAST

Pittsburgh vs. Xavier: Sean Miller's Musketeer's will put up a good fight, but they won't have a sufficient answer to Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair and Sam Young. PITT wins fairly easily.

Duke vs. Villanova: Best game of the Sweet 16 will be decided in the final minutes. In the end, Scottie Reynolds and Dante Cunningham will lead VILLANOVA over Kyle Singler, Gerald Henderson and the Blue Devils.

WEST

UConn vs. Purdue: Robbie Hummel and the Boilermakers will be a feisty challenger, but Hasheem Thabeet and the Huskies will pull away in the second half and cruise to victory. UCONN will prevail, and they will not be distracted by the recent controversy over the alleged recruiting violation.

Memphis vs. Missouri: Spectacular game between two remarkably athletic teams. It's a total toss-up between Mike Anderson's Tigers and John Calipari's Tigers, but I'll take MEMPHIS in what should be a wildly entertaining affair.

MIDWEST

Louisville vs. Arizona: Coach Russ Pennell and star Chase Budinger should be commended for making an unexpected run into the Sweet 16, but LOUISVILLE will hardly break a sweat in this one.

Michigan State vs. Kansas: This will be a tremendously compelling game, with Sharron Collins leading KANSAS to a mild upset over Tom Izzo's Spartans.

SOUTH

North Carolina vs. Gonzaga: The Zags are a respectable opponent, but if Ty Lawson's toe holds up, UNC should have little trouble advancing to the Elite Eight.

Oklahoma vs. Syracuse: Another thriller that will go down to the wire. SYRACUSE will find a way to slow down Blake Griffin, and the Orangemen will advance.