Here are my predictions for the Sweet 16 for the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
Thursday, March 22nd
(S11) Loyola-Chicago (30-5) vs (S7) Nevada (29-7)- 7:07, CBS: Such a fascinating Sweet 16 matchup considering nobody thought these teams would be in this position. The Ramblers are coming off another improbable win, this one though over the Tennessee Volunteers thanks to a game winning shot by Clayton Custer. The Wolfpack are coming off an improbable comeback win over the Cincinnati Bearcats in which they trailed by 22 in the game at one point. This game also features the most interesting characters of this tournament with Sister Jean from the Ramblers and Coach Eric Musselman's wife Danyelle and daughter Mariah. This was a tough call, but give me the Ramblers here led by Custer in a close one.
Prediction: Loyola-Chicago
(W7) Texas A&M (22-12) vs (W3) Michigan (30-7)- 7:37, TBS: The Aggies are coming off a very impressive beatdown of the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Wolverines are coming off a great win over the Houston Cougars thanks to a buzzer beating three-pointer by Jordan Poole. This should be a fun and entertaining game, but the Wovlerines are the deeper team led by Mohamed-Ali Abdur-Rahkman.
Prediction: Michigan
(S9) Kansas State (24-11) vs (S5) Kentucky (26-10)- 9:37, CBS: Here we have a 2014 Round of 64 rematch. Kansas State is coming off a narrow win over the Cinderella UMBC Riverteers. Kentucky is coming off a win over the Cinderella Buffalo Bulls as they pulled away late in that one. Dean Wade should be back for Bruce Weber's squad, but I like John Calipari's talented squad led by Kevin Knox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to win the Battle of the Wildcats to advance.
Prediction: Kentucky
(W9) Florida State (22-11) vs (W4) Gonzaga (32-4)- 10:07, TBS: The Seminoles are coming off an incredible come from behind win over the Xavier Musketeers. The Bulldogs are coming off an impressive win over the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Zags are just a better team led by Killian Tillie and Johnathan Williams and I like the, to advance here.
Prediction: Gonzaga
Friday, March 23rd
(MW5) Clemson (25-9) vs (MW1) Kansas (29-7)- 7:07, CBS: The Tigers are coming off an absolute thrashing of the Auburn Tigers. The Jayhawks are coming off a narrow win over the Seton Hall Pirates. It's been "No Donte Grantham No Problem" for the Tigers, but their run comes to an end here against a better Jayhawks team led by DeVonte Graham and Malik Newman.
Prediction: Kansas
(E5) West Virginia (26-10) vs (E1) Villanova (32-4)- 7:27, TBS: The Mountaineers are coming off a dominant win over the Marshall Thundering Herd. The Wildcats are coming off a dominant win over the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Jalen Brunson vs Jevon Carter matchup is so fascinating by all accounts because of Carter's defensive abilities, but give me Brunson and Mikal Bridges to lead the way for the Wildcats.
Prediction: Villanova
(MW11) Syracuse (23-13) vs (MW2) Duke (28-7)- 9:37, CBS: Here we have an all-ACC affair featuring two of the best five coaches in the game. The Orange are coming off a great win over the Michigan State Spartans. The Blue Devils are coming off an impressive win over the Rhode Island Rams. The Orange can keep this close, but the Blue Devils are just so much better led by Marvin Bagley.
Prediction: Duke
(E3) Texas Tech (26-9) vs (E2) Purdue (30-6)- 9:57, TBS: The Red Raiders are coming off a narrow win over the Florida Gators in an epic game. The Boiler Makers are coming off a narrow win over the Butler Bulldogs. Isaac Haas may not play, but who cares. Give me the the Boiler Makers, who are the better team in a close one.
Prediction: Purdue
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