IT’S SWEET 16 TIME
The field has been narrowed down to 16 squads, with each aspiring to be the last left standing in Houston. Ryan Wolstat predicts outcomes for the four games that will kick off the NCAA’s Sweet 16.
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 5 Maryland
This is one people wanted to see. Maryland is big and skilled, a very strong defensive group.
However, the Jayhawks also are skilled, reasonably big, are a deeper squad with a mix of veterans, emerging star talent and a coach used to operating in the biggest games in Bill Self.
The team also can fill it up, especially from outside. Kansas is filled with deep threats and connects at a high rate. Maryland hasn’t been tested by a team this good.
Wayne Selden has woken up after turning in some terrible performances in past tournaments, and Frank Mason is much better than he was when he teamed with Andrew Wiggins two years ago. Road to Sweet 16: Kansas beat No. 16 Austin Peay 105-79 and Connecticut 73-61.
Maryland edged No. 12 South Dakota State 79-74 and looked better in beating Hawaii 73-60. Prediction: Kansas by 8.
No. 2 Villanova vs. No. 3 Miami
This should be fascinating. Villanova’s older players got used to flaming out early but seem ready to finally break through. Still, until they do, there will be questions. Plus, Miami has a savvy, experienced group, as well, and is more athletic than prior opponents.
Expect a lot of three-pointers, as both teams excel from beyond the arc and look to take a lot of shots.
The teams used to battle all the time as conference rivals but haven’t met since 2004.
Each squad boasts a star guard that has played better at the tournament (Ryan Arcidiacono for Villanova, Angel Rodriguez for Miami) and one that has been a lot worse (Josh Hart and Ja’Quan Newton). Road to Sweet 16: Villanova beat No. 15 UNC Asheville 86-56 and No. 7 Iowa 87-68 in second round; Miami beat No. 14 Buffalo 79-72 and No. 11 Wichita State 65-57. Prediction: Miami by 6.
No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 4 Duke
Arguably the main event Thursday, the defending champions against a worthy challenger.
Duke has already been tested twice, and the top seeds are much better than either of those opponents. So, easy Oregon win, right? Well, not so fast. Duke boasts the most talented player in the tournament in Brandon Ingram, a lethal scoring machine, as well as red-hot Grayson Allen and big man Marshall Plumlee, who has had a brilliant tournament. The Ducks will have a tough time slowing down Duke’s attack, but shouldn’t have much trouble at the other end.
Look for Oregon to punish the Blue Devils inside with Elgin Cook and Canadians Dillon Brooks and Chris Boucher attacking, working to get Plumlee into foul trouble. Road to Sweet 16: Oregon beat No. 16 Holy Cross 91-52 and No. 8 Saint Joseph’s 69-64.
Duke beat No. 13 UNC Wilmington 93-85 and No. 12 Yale 71-64. Prediction: Oregon by 4.
No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Texas A&M
If you like Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield is the closest thing to him in the NCAA. One of the better scorers to come around in years, Hield is the player everything revolves around in Sooners country.
If the Aggies can slow him down, the team has a chance. The problem is, very few schools have been able to do that, which is why Hield could win player of the year.
Texas A&M is either loose, having escaped a game the team had no business winning, or rattled from the near-miss and poised to get crushed.
We think it will be the latter, with Oklahoma’s size and skill overwhelming the Aggies. Road to Sweet 16: Oklahoma beat No. 15 CSU Bakersfield 82-68 and No. 10 VCU 85-81.
Texas A&M beat No. 14 Green Bay 92-65 and No. 11 Northern Iowa 92-88 in a double overtime epic. Prediction: Oklahoma by 11.