NCAA Sweet Sixteen Picks

By Sean Goodrich

Duke - 84
UCLA - 75

This could be Duke's toughest matchup on the way to the Final Four. UCLA has a big inside presence with Dan Gadzuric and can play the run and gun with Duke. Duke is the best shooting team in the country which masked their lack of an inside presence with Carlos Boozer out with a foot injury. However, Boozer is now healthy and may provide a boost off of the bench. If Duke can contain Gadzuric's scoring and keep him off the boards while continuing their fantastic outside shooting, they should be able to take the Bruins.

Kansas - 78
Illinois - 74

Is this an upset? Not really. Kansas is playing their best basketball of the season at the right time. The return of Drew Gooden to the Jayhawks' lineup has been the difference and has made everybody around him play at a higher level. Illinois has a great point guard in Frank Williams and two good although inconsistent inside talents in Brian Cook and Marcus Griffin. They will need to play a balanced game and not let Kansas get on any big runs to win this game. Unfortunately for the Fighting Illini, Kansas is playing a little better basketball right now and should win a classic matchup.

Michigan St. - 86
Gonzaga - 75

This game has the biggest potential for a woodshed, but I think Gonzaga will stay in this game. They have a great inside-outside tandem with Casey Calvary and Dan Dickau along with some good role players. However, Michigan St. just has too much talent and athleticism with Charlie Bell,Jason Richardson, and company. Look for Michigan St. to establish a lead early and maintain it throughout.

Stanford - 78
Cincinnati - 70

This is a very intersting matchup as these are too very different teams. Stanford is a traditional powerhouse team that plays a very structured game which revolves around the Collins brothers inside and Casey Jacobsen's spectacular outside shooting. Cincinnati uses its athleticism and guard play on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball to win games. SG Steve Logan carries this team and will have to put forward a remarkable performance for the Bearcats to win as I see the Collins twins dominating the paint and leading the Cardinals to victory.

Temple - 71
Penn St. - 58

Geezus, who would have come up with this matchup in the Sweet Sixteen. Penn St. has gotten to this point with pure heart and the gutsy play of Joe Crispin, Titus Ivory, and Gyasi Cline-Heard. Temple is finally playing like the team it was supposed to be this year using their match-up zone to stonewall dribble penetration and force teams to beat them from the outside. This is an ugly matchup,but Temple will take this game in comfortable fashion over the severely overachieving Nittany Lions.

USC - 78
Kentucky - 74

This is the most exciting matchup of the Sweet Sixteen and my 'upset special'. USC is an incredibly fun team to watch - the Sacramento Kings of the NCAA - with Jeff Trepagnier performing high-wire dunks and the great inside play of Sam Clancy,David Bluthenthal,and Brian Scalabrine. Kentucky boasts the hottest player in the tournament in Tayshaun Prince (29 ppg in the tourney) and the most suprising tournament player in reserve Marquis Estill who put up 22 points in 22 minutes against Iowa. They also have the frontcourt depth to match-up against USC along with a good backcourt that has Keith Bogans. However, I think that USC has developed a wealth of confidence and mental toughness in the tournament and will upset a strong Wildcats team.

Arizona - 79
Ole Miss - 64

Arizona has perhaps the most talented backcourt in the country with Jason Gardner and Gilbert Arenas and a great frontcourt that includes Michael Wright, Richard Jefferson, and Loren Woods. Ole Miss has been a great story as they were picked to finish last in the SEC West and wound up a 3 seed in the NCAA tourney. They have a strong frontcourt highlighted by senior Rahim Lockhart at center, but do not match up well with Arizona's backcourt. Arizona will cruise in this one with a double digit victory.

Maryland - 76
Georgetown - 69

On the surface it would seem that Maryland has the advantage in virtually every category and should take this game easily. However, I like the savvy play of Georgetown PG Kevin Braswell who has become the leader on this team. This team also has a very deep frontcourt that will have a lot of fouls to give. Maryland has a very balanced offense that is sparked by the play of SG Juan Dixon and plays a very tough half-court defense that has thwarted teams such as Duke, Virginia, and Oklahoma this year. The Terrapins will win a tight one with the Hoyas.