There are some tough games to pick starting Thursday evening. I am SEC biased primarily because I've seen all of our League teams play and not so much for the other teams. Having said that, here's my best guess. Who do you like to make it to the Elite Eight?
UF over Maryland - I think the UConn game was just the scare we needed to wake us up. If we play the way we're capable, I think we're the best team in the country.
Bama over BYU - Have seen BYU a little this year and they're a good team but Bama is more athletic. I see Bama winning by 10 points or more.
UT over UK - UK has already beaten Tennessee twice this year and I'm not sure how. UT is the better team and it's really hard to beat someone three times in a season.
Auburn over Michigan - I think Auburn is returning to form somewhat and they're more athletic than Michigan. Think Auburn could win this by double digits. TAMU was leading by 7 late in their game with Michigan and went ice cold. They don't have the Guards that Auburn does.
Duke over Arizona - Arizona is playing better as the year has progressed but Duke already beat them by 14 points earlier in late November. Arizona has improved but I don't think they've improved enough to win.
Now on to the tougher games to pick.
I think Houston would normally win over Purdue but this game is in Indianapolis and that's only about an hour from Lafayette. This will feel like a home game for Purdue so that could be a huge factor. Kind of sucks to be a 1 Seed and have to play what amounts to a road game in the Sweet Sixteen. I still like Houston but this game could be a nail biter.
Texas Tech over Arkansas - It wouldn't shock me in the least if Arkansas won this game. They're the one team, of the lower seeds in the SEC, that I thought could make a deeper run. They're athletic and talented but just don't shoot well enough IMO to pull this one off. If they do shoot it well on Thursday night, then they will win.
Ole Miss over Michigan State - this is my one upset pick, if you can call it that. Ole Miss has looked really good in this Tournament. If they keep shooting it the way they have in the first two rounds, they could get this one.
So, I see potentially 5 SEC teams in the Elite Eight. The League is already guaranteed at least one with the UK/UT game. Who do you like?
UF over Maryland - I think the UConn game was just the scare we needed to wake us up. If we play the way we're capable, I think we're the best team in the country.
Bama over BYU - Have seen BYU a little this year and they're a good team but Bama is more athletic. I see Bama winning by 10 points or more.
UT over UK - UK has already beaten Tennessee twice this year and I'm not sure how. UT is the better team and it's really hard to beat someone three times in a season.
Auburn over Michigan - I think Auburn is returning to form somewhat and they're more athletic than Michigan. Think Auburn could win this by double digits. TAMU was leading by 7 late in their game with Michigan and went ice cold. They don't have the Guards that Auburn does.
Duke over Arizona - Arizona is playing better as the year has progressed but Duke already beat them by 14 points earlier in late November. Arizona has improved but I don't think they've improved enough to win.
Now on to the tougher games to pick.
I think Houston would normally win over Purdue but this game is in Indianapolis and that's only about an hour from Lafayette. This will feel like a home game for Purdue so that could be a huge factor. Kind of sucks to be a 1 Seed and have to play what amounts to a road game in the Sweet Sixteen. I still like Houston but this game could be a nail biter.
Texas Tech over Arkansas - It wouldn't shock me in the least if Arkansas won this game. They're the one team, of the lower seeds in the SEC, that I thought could make a deeper run. They're athletic and talented but just don't shoot well enough IMO to pull this one off. If they do shoot it well on Thursday night, then they will win.
Ole Miss over Michigan State - this is my one upset pick, if you can call it that. Ole Miss has looked really good in this Tournament. If they keep shooting it the way they have in the first two rounds, they could get this one.
So, I see potentially 5 SEC teams in the Elite Eight. The League is already guaranteed at least one with the UK/UT game. Who do you like?
