The NCAA men’s basketball tournament will resume on Friday. By evening, Sweet 16 has officially reached the Elite Eight. I’ll remove one step from my trip to the Final Four in San Antonio next weekend.
The action begins in Atlanta, where the miniature Sec-Big Ten Challenge is offshore. Shortly afterwards, the event will fall in Indianapolis. In Indianapolis, the top four species will be the floor, including last year’s National runner-up.
Once again, we’re here to take you a night matchup. If you still have a dog in battle, happy viewing, and good fortune. Well, you probably aren’t because all dog mascots are eliminated* – but we’re off track.
No. 2 Michigan and No. 6 Mississippi
TIME/TV: 7:09pm ET, CBS
Seeds and historic precedents appear to support the Spartans. The Spartans have reached this round once in 2001, but Michigan should also enjoy the advantages of considerable depth. The negative rebound margin of rebels is a concern for almost five games, but it is a function of life in the SEC. All of this doesn’t mean that Ole Miss doesn’t have a chance. He will need help from his frontcourt teammates, especially if Sean Pedura continues to knock down the Tray.
No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 3 Kentucky
Time/TV: 7:39pm, TBS/Trutv
From a Tennessee perspective, Kentucky is either a fellow SEC team that you don’t want to see in the tournament, or a team you’ve made to achieve redemption measures. As for the Wildcats, they’ll try to do what they’ve worked against volunteers twice in their wins this season. A general factor in both previous encounters was the suppression of Vols’ main scorer Chaz Lanier. He has been in tears lately as it could change, but the Wildcats are also often shot. Tennessee’s usually strong perimeter defense is lacking on a second date with the Wildcats in Lexington, and Kentucky’s offense should have even better ball security with Lamont Butler back in the lineup.
*Yes, we know about Smoky, but actual dogs usually don’t attend basketball games.
No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 5 Michigan
Time/TV: 9:39pm, CBS
After dominating the SEC for most of the season, Auburn’s closing stretch was a source of concern. The Tigers’ victory margin in the first two games has only been done so far to alleviate these uncertainties, particularly Johnny Bloom’s struggle with Clayton Big Man Ryan Calbrenner. That may not work out in this matchup against Big Ten Tournament champion Wolverine, especially when Michigan’s big lineup is on the floor with both Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf. The good news for Auburn is Tahad Pettyford, Chad Baker Mazara is accurate from outside the arc, and the Tigers are still very destructive on the defense. But Michigan’s leading ball handler, Torre Donaldson, faced with his previous teams, should be familiar with the Tigers’ trends.
No. 1 Houston vs. No. 4 Purdue
TIME/TV: 10:09 PM ET, TBS/Trutv
The boiler maker will side with most of the homestate crowd for the Indianapolis night cap. However, Houston is used to hostile circumstances and won all 10 road contests in the Big 12. Purdue hit a four-game skid in February, and the Cougars, who have only lost four times in the season, did not experience such a streak. Purdue is available to anyone to play when everything is working. This starts with Braden Smith handing out a dime to Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer. But the cougar is all about making sure everything isn’t working. This is because their opponents are earning just 58.4 points in the game, while forcing an average of 13.7 turnovers. LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp have made many shots, but Houston’s offense usually runs through Milos Uzan’s capable hands.
