The Sweet Sixteen!

The NCAA Tournament continues Thursday night with sixteen teams all vying for a place in the Final Four in Atlanta.  What upsets might take place?  Can all four No. 1 seeds push through to Atlanta?  Let's break down the Sweet Sixteen.

Midwest.  St. Louis.  Friday/Sunday.

Florida vs Butler -- On paper, this should be all Gators.  Billy Donovan's team slipped a little through February, but won the SEC Championship by demolishing every team in it's way and has done the same to Jackson State and Purdue.  It's hard to cheer against Butler and A.J. Graves.  They are scrappy and have beaten some good teams this year winning the preseason NIT.  Joaquim Noah, Corey Brewer, Taurean Green and the Gators roll over Butler.  Florida wins 77-63.

 Corey Brewer and the Gators should roll to Atlanta and into the Final Four.

UNLV vs Oregon -- The Runnin' Rebels were upset with their 7 seed before the tournament and we Badger fans can understand why.  Wendell White and Kevin Kruger were fantastic as the Rebels upset Wisconsin in Chicago.  Wink Adams is the defensive specialist that might take UNLV to the Elite Eight but his bruised tailbone might not be healthy enough to stop Aaron Brooks, Tajuan Porter and the Ducks.  UNLV moves into the Elite Eight, 87-83.

West.  San Jose, CA.  Thursday/Saturday.

Kansas vs Southern Illinois -- Before the tourney started, I wasn't the only person to think Kansas would be the first No. 1 seed to fall.  I've changed my tune on the Jayhawks.  They look unstoppable at the moment with Julian Wright, Brandon Rush and company running over everybody in their way.  The Salukis of Southern Illinois are defensive minded and could slow Kansas down.  Bill Self's Jayhawks have far too many weapons for Southern Illinois, 81-71.

 Julian Wright and the Jayhawks will ride the wave past Southern Illinois on Thursday.

UCLA vs Pittsburgh -- The Bruins have looked beatable in the first couple games and after losing in the first round of the Pac-10 Tournament, UCLA fans would have hoped for more than what they are providing on the court.  All-Everything guard Aaron Afflalo, who was terrible (2 of 11 shooting) versus Indiana, and Darren Collison are going to have to turn it on for the Bruins to move on.  Panthers center Aaron Gray has been invisible which is hard for a 7-footer to do and if the Panthers want another game this season Gray will have to dominate inside.  The Bruins move on to face Kansas, 73-76.

East.  East Rutherford, N.J. Friday/Sunday.

North Carolina vs Southern California -- The mask came off Tyler Hansbrough and he looked like the All-American center we are so used to seeing.  USC guard Gabe Pruitt completely shut down Texas point D.J. Augustin and Tywon Lawson could be next.  The Tarheels are young but Brandan Wright, Lawson and the other frosh aren't exactly freshman anymore.  Hansbrough and company move on to the Elight Eight, 74-67.

 The mask might be gone, but his game is back. 

Georgetown vs Vanderbilt -- The Commodores and SEC Player of the Year Derrick Byars have looked great beating George Washington and No. 3 seed Washington State.  I'm sorry to say this Vandy fans, the 'dores are closing Friday night (came up with that one on my own, not bad huh?).  Vandy doesn't have a center to stop the Hoyas Roy Hibbert, they don't have a small forward to stop Big East Player of the Year Jeff Green and they just flat out don't have the depth, athleticism and talent to stop Georgetown from moving on to face UNC.  Hoyas win, 78-69.

South.  San Antonio. Thursday/Saturday.

Ohio State vs Tennessee -- If Xavier can knock down one more free throw with five seconds left, Ohio State is back home watching the tourney in Columbus.  The Buckeyes Ron Lewis sent the game to overtime and OSU dominated from there.  Chris Lofton and the Vols lost to the Buckeyes earlier this year, but only by two and in Columbus.  The Buckeyes have grown up in the last few months, but also looked very vulnerable vs Xavier.  With Greg Odeninside and Lewis and Mike Conley outside, expect the Buckeyes to wake up in time to beat Tennessee, 73-70.

 Don't fight the Law Memphis, you can't win.

Texas A&M vs Memphis -- The best matchup of the last sixteen will hinge on Memphis' fantastic forward and leading scorer Chris Douglas-Roberts' injured ankle which he landed on awkwardly with eight minutes left in the victory over Nevada.  If he can't go expect a talented Aggie team led by All-American Acie Law to march on to the Elite Eight.  If Douglas-Roberts can go, this will be a war that will go down to the last second.  A&M will be helped by playing in San Antonio, not far from their campus.  Acie Law and company move on to the Elite Eight, 81-77.

** If you are looking for an upset, look at the Tennessee vs Ohio State game.  If Chris Loften can get hot, his Vols can most definitely stop the Buckeyes. 

** Can all No. 1 seeds march on to Atlanta and the Final Four?  Most definitely.  Will they?  Probably not.  Ohio State, if they get past Tennessee, will have a very hard time stopping Acie Law and A&M.