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With a sizable group of Cinderella teams still hanging out after the first weekend of the NCAA tournament, this Sweet 16 field was literally unpredictable. No one could have seen this combination of teams make it to the third round of the tournament when the field of 68 was announced.
With Oral Roberts # 15 seed, Oregon State # 12 seed, and Syracuse and UCLA # 11 seeds still in the mix, this is the highest seed count ever for Sweet 16. But there are also a few pillars. of the season hanging around too, and they should lick each other off the chops as they swell the remaining field.
The # 1 seeds Gonzaga, Michigan and Baylor face manageable paths. In the case of Gonzaga and Baylor, seeds # 2 in their regions have already been removed. As for Houston, the No.2 seed in the Midwest, the Cougars have a favorable two-game path to the Final Four looming after region No.1 seed Illinois was upset. by Loyola Chicago in the second round.
So, will the remaining five seeds # 1 and # 2 move forward during Sweet 16? Or will the madness continue with more upheaval? Here’s a look at what awaits us this weekend in the regional semi-finals.
Midwest Regional
No.12 Oregon State vs. No.8 Loyola Chicago
- When: Saturday at 2:40 p.m. ET
- Or: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
Beaver Scouting – Chosen to finish last in the Pac-12 in preseason, Oregon State is a perfect example of what getting hot at the right time can do for your team. Coach Wayne Tinkle and the Beavers were far from discussing the NCAA tournament all season, but went through the Pac-12 tournament to secure the league’s automatic bid. They have since eliminated the No.5 from Tennessee and No.4 from Oklahoma State in the Midwest Regional to secure their first appearance at Sweet 16 since 1982.
Ramblers Scouting – No.8 seed Loyola Chicago takes on the role of Cinderella again after advancing to Sweet 16 thanks to wins over No.9 seed Georgia Tech and a knockdown of No.1 seed from Illinois. The Ramblers are led by big man Cameron Krutwig, a senior who was part of the team’s 2018 Final Four. Coach Porter Moser and big sister Jean, now 101, are also familiar faces of this race.
No.11 Syracuse vs. No.2 Houston
- When: Saturday at 9:55 p.m.
- Or: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
In search of orange – Syracuse barely squeezed into the NCAA tournament field, but after victories over San Diego State and West Virginia, the Oranges are dancing on the Sweet 16. Signature zone defense remains a must-have. Under 76-year-old coach Jim Boeheim the team can really let him fly from the depths. Jim’s son Buddy leads the way offensively as an efficient 3-point shooter. This will be the seventh appearance of the Sweet 16 program since 2009.
In search of pumas –Houston finished a 10-point rally down at the end of the second half to take down Rutgers and advance to his second straight Sweet 16 on the heels of his busted first-round victory over Cleveland State. It was a serious effort for the No.2 Cougars, who are one of the best defensive teams in the country and a decent enough 3-point shooting team to start. With Kansas transfer Quentin Grimes in the lead, this team have recently proven themselves in some clutch situations.
Southern regional
No.5 Villanova vs. No.1 Baylor
- When: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. ET
- Or: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
Wildcat Scouting – Villanova is back in the Sweet 16 for the third time in the past five seasons – seventh overall appearance under coach Jay Wright – after wins over Winthrop, No.12, and No.13, North Texas. The Wildcats play a slow, painstaking pace that prioritizes efficient attacking, but that style didn’t stop them from running smoothly through their first two laps of action. Keep an eye out for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who is the heart and soul of this team in the absence of injured senior Collin Gillespie.
Bear scouting – Baylor looked great in a second-round victory over Wisconsin, and with second-seeded Ohio State already knocked out of the South Regional, the Bears have a manageable path to the Final Four. The program has never been this far before, but with veteran goalies Jared Butler, MaCio Teague and Davion Mitchell leading the way, this team has the talent and experience to cut some nets.
No 15 Oral Roberts vs. No 3 Arkansas
- When: Saturday at 7:25 p.m.
- Or: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
In Search of the Golden Eagles – Oral Roberts became just the second No.15 seed in history to upgrade to Sweet 16 after thwarted wins over the No.2 seed from Ohio State and the seed Florida’s No. 7 in the first and second rounds. Led by the nation’s top scorer, Max Abmas, and a wonderful sidekick to Kevin Obanor, the Golden Eagles have two deadly offensive weapons that have proven their ability throughout the year to keep pace with any team from any conference.
In Search of the Razorbacks – Arkansas qualify for the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1996. Coach Eric Musselman and his transfer team escaped scares against Colgate and Texas Tech in the first and second rounds to reach a new high for this news era of the Razorbacks. Their unique mix of young and old talent helps fuel this defensive juggernaut – led by lottery talent Moses Moody and Indiana transfer Justin Smith – who has now won 11 of their last 12 games.
Regional West
(5) Creighton vs. (1) Gonzaga
- When: Sunday at 2:10 p.m. ET
- Or: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
In search of the Bluejays – Creighton narrowly survived a UC-Santa Barbara test in the first round before looking good in a victory over the No. 13 seed Ohio in the second round to make the program’s first Sweet 16 since 1974. With one of the best 3- In the backcourts with Marcus Zegarowski and Mitch Ballock, the Bluejays also boast an elite offense and decent defense. Zegarowski, Damien Jefferson and Denzel Mahoney each averaged more than one steal per game.
In search of bulldogs – Gonzaga wiped out Norfolk State in the first round and moved away from Oklahoma in the second round. As the No.1 seed in the NCAA tournament, this team is led by an all-star trio consisting of winger Corey Kispert, center Drew Timme and guard Jalen Suggs. Behind them there is a group of excellent actors. What makes this Gonzaga team better than their predecessors is Suggs. He is a truly unique talent who assumes his role of distributor and disruptive defensive force.
(7) Oregon vs. (6) USC
- When: Sunday at 9.45 p.m.
- Or: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
In search of ducks –Oregon strangled Iowa in the second round to reach the Sweet 16 for the fifth time under 11th-year coach Dana Altman. The Ducks’ five starters are on average double-digit, and the veteran squad is led by senior guard Chris Duarte. He scored 23 in the Ducks’ second round victory over Iowa and is an efficient 3-point shooter capable of quickly changing the tide of a game. This is a heavy transfer list that has only gotten better throughout the season and seems to click at the right time.
Search for Trojans – USC achieved its first Sweet 16 since 2007, beating Drake and Kansas behind a combination of outside shot and inside dominance. With brothers Evan and Isaiah Mobley leading the way on the inside, they are also one of the best shot blocking teams in the country. Transfers Tahj Eaddy and Drew Peterson have been wonderful on the perimeter helping this program to its best season yet under eighth year coach Andy Enfield.
Eastern Regional
(4) Florida State vs. (1) Michigan
- When: Sunday at 5 p.m. ET
- Or: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
Seminole Scouting– Florida State is generally known for its defense under veteran coach Leonard Hamilton, but this team can really score too. The Seminoles have been a great 3-point shooting team this season and have held their top two NCAA tournament opponents under 55 points. There is no single star with this squad, but rather a 10-man rotation made up mostly of veterans who understand what Hamilton expects.
Wolverine Scouting –Michigan started 18-1 before losing three of their last five games entering the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines appear to be back on track after beating Texas Southern and LSU in the first two rounds. This team arguably plays their best player in senior forward Isaiah Livers with an injured foot. But with 7-foot freshman phenomenon Hunter Dickinson bruising in post and a group of veterans in guard posts, coach Juwan Howard’s team have the maturity and depth to keep moving.
(11) UCLA vs. (2) Alabama
- When: Sunday at 7.15 p.m.
- Or: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
Bruins Scouting – After losing in the top four in its last NCAA tournament appearance in 2018, UCLA has found itself in the top four this season and used it as a springboard. The Bruins came back from an 11-point deficit to beat Michigan State in their opener, then toppled BYU and Abilene Christian to reach Sweet 16. Sophomore Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Johnny Juzang’s wings became the best option. offensive for that. squad, but the five starters can reach double the numbers.
In search of the crimson tide– Alabama knocked down Iona and Maryland to reach the program’s first Sweet 16 since 2004. The Crimson Tides are best known for their 3-point shooting, but sophomore coach Nate Oats also has this team playing excellent defense. . That’s why this team seems built to last: They can stay in the games even when the punches don’t fall due to their courage. The heart and soul of this team is SEC Player of the Year, Herb Jones. The 6-8 senior does a bit of everything for his team.
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