Clash of the titans tonight in Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox (above) and UCLA’s Lonzo Ball
Last night
1-3, painful
1. Oregon 69, Michigan 68
Ducks just defended and rebounded better than the Wolverines. Sank enough shots and won. Michigan didn’t even come close to resembling the team that won in the first 2 rounds of the tournament. Not sure why not. I guess the Ducks defense confused them. They just didn’t play aggressively enough on offense and take open 3’s when they had them.
2. Gonzaga 61, West Virginia 58
Hard fought game that Gonzaga showed a lot of toughness and resilience in to prevail over a high level opponent.
3. Kansas 98, Purdue 66
Kansas looked spectacular and unstoppable.
4. Xavier 73, Zona 71
Sean Miller fails to get it done again at Arizona.
Tonight
South Regional
No.4 Butler (25-8) vs. No.1 North Carolina (29-7)
FedExForum, Memphis (18,119)
6:09 PM CT/7:09 PM ET
CBS
Like the height of UNC to get the job done here. Justin Jackson is an absolute stud for the Tar Heels. Expect him to have a huge game.
UNC 82, Butler 74
East Regional
No.7 South Carolina (24-10) vs. No.3 Baylor (27-7)
Madison Square Gaarden, New York (20,789)
6:29 PM CT/7:29 PM ET
TBS
I really like what Frank Martin has done in Columbia. He’s built a super team this season and the SEC has 3 teams in the Sweet 16, all playing tonight, and that’s a huge statement for the conference. The Gamecocks 88-81 upset victory over Duke was tremendous. But I like Baylor a little more here. Have a little more depth athletically and have been here pretty often. Expecting a very close game though.
Baylor 67, South Carolina 65
South Regional
No. 3 UCLA (31-4) vs. No.2 Kentucky (31-5)
FedExForum
8:39 PM CT/9:39 PM ET
CBS
This could be the best match-up of the Sweet 16. It’s a battle of stellar point guards in UCLA’s Lonzo Ball and Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox. A lot of really good players around them too. Kentucky has a few more and Fox is superb. Like Ball too, but Fox will help get KY over the hump in a tight one.
Kentucky 86, UCLA 84
East Regional
No. 8 Wisconsin (27-9) vs. No.4 Florida (26-8)
The Gaarden
8:59 PM CT/9:59 PM ET
TBS
Love what the Gators did in the first two rounds as they blasted East Tennessee State in round one, 80-65, then dismantled fifth seeded Virginia, 65-39, in the second round. Like Florida to keep playing on Sunday.
Florida 64, Wisconsin 61
9 Responses
my bracket has been destroyed. Kansas looks like the best to me so far.
I like your picks for tonight DW. I hope at least 2 the SEC teams can move on to the elite 8. As Meatloaf once sang 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
Love the lyrics Walter! Thanks my man. I agree Bama, Rock Chalk looks like the best team.
Surprised that Arizona lost last night. They had the talent to make it to the final four. Michigan gave up a couple of offensive rebounds late in the game. That really hurt them.
I agree 100% Logic. Those boards really did them in.
Kansas, looked better than Jennifer Aniston – Simmons thinks I am crazy but I think USC is strong and of course my heart goes with the SEC – Michigan broke Simmons bracket under the fictitious name Annie Oyster in the BCC 19th hole – so named because one time I misspelled ante as annie and he and Big Joe Joe think I cannot pronounce oyster – Poetic justice Senior Dime!. I am looking for Kentucky to win it all David – looks like a twin tower order.
Wow, Willie, some serious stuff there! Thanks for checkin in. KY certainly capable, though I’m liking Kansas a little better right now. Keep it comin!
Glad to see you are forecasting 4 close games tonight. Really looking forward to UK-UCLA!
Me too JC! Thanks my man.