Sweet 16 Breakdown

Throw the RPI out. 12 of the top 20 teams in the final standings are done. The Big Ten, the highest rated conference in the RPI, is done. "The truth of the matter is, the top teams in the Big Ten were not as good as they were last year," Lou Henson said.

"Because the teams in the second division beat some of the teams in the first division, it appeared that the Big Ten was the strongest conference from top to bottom, but that turned out to be untrue."

The tourney has seen its fair share of surprises. 11th seeded George Mason beats a 6 seed and a 3 seed. 13th seeded Bradley knocks out the Big 12 Champs, Kansas and Big East powerhouse, Pittsburgh. Georgetown showed glimpses of greatness in their wins over Northern Iowa and Ohio State. Despite all of the upsets, every number one seed still remains as we've trimmed our brackets down to the Sweet 16.

The Master Basketball Coaches have discussed and analyzed the games to see who will dance on to the Elite Eight, becoming one step closer to Indianapolis.


ATLANTA Regional

(4) LSU vs. (1) Duke
Dale Brown: "LSU is a sleeper. They won the SEC at 14-2, they're a team that could go all the way. Tyrus Thomas and Tasmund Mitchell can really play. Thy are not deep at all at point guard, but so far, they have not had foul trouble."

Joe B. Hall: "In Davis, (LSU) has a player that is almost unstoppable. He is big, agile and has soft touch, and you don't want to put him on the foul line."
Lefty Driesell: "I like Duke. As long as Redick doesn't sleep on his arm, Duke will be fine. That guy is unbelievable the way he takes over games at the end, Williams is great and they play good defense."

Lou Carnesecca: "Redick reminds me of a boy named (Jerry) West the way he takes over games."

(6) West Virginia vs. (2) Texas
Norm Stewart: "If Texas' guards (Daniel Gibson & A.J. Abrams) play well, it will make their big guys (LaMarcus Aldridge and Brad Buckman) better. They showed against NC State they can really get off, and if (West Virginia) makes mistakes against them, then (the Longhorns) can put up 20 in a hurry."

Lou Carnesecca: "For West Virginia to beat Texas, they are really gonna have to be hot. Texas is pretty tough inside, and their guards are on wheels, making them near impossible to stop. I like West Virginia, but I think Texas is too much for them."

OAKLAND Regional

(12) Bradley vs. (1) Memphis
Gene Bartow: "Memphis has been fortunate, facing a 16 and a 9 seed thus far and now a 13 seed. Calipari has done a great job with (this team). They're deep, he runs 9 or 10 players in and out. They're capable of getting there and winning the tournament, they're that deep and that good on a given night. Keep in mind they beat Gonzaga and UCLA this year, and that's who they will meet if they get past Bradley."

(3) Gonzaga vs. (2) UCLA
John Wooden: "They are a strong defensive team and they're offensive is coming along, they are moving the ball better now. The guards were carrying the offense and are using the front line more. They look like a much better team now. (To beat Gonzaga) They have done an excellent job at guarding star players (like Morrison). UCLA is better defensively, and I've always felt that if two evenly matched teams meet, the better defensive team will win."

Gene Bartow: "UCLA is playing extremely well, and I think they will guard Gonzaga to the point to get outta there with a win. Should Memphis beat Bradley, I don't think UCLA will have enough to get past them to the Final Four."

WASHINGTON, D.C. Regional

(5) Washington vs. (1) Connecticut
Joe B. Hall: "UConn has struggled in the tournament. Jim Calhoun was as concerned as he'd been all year in the last 4 minutes of the Kentucky game."
John Wooden: "UConn is outstanding, and Washington is a very fine team. They have one outstanding player (Brandon Roy) and they have some good players to complement him, but I don't believe that they will beat this Connecticut team."

(11) George Mason vs. (6) Wichita State
Lefty Driesell: "They're playing Wichita State who they just beat. I'm happy for George Mason. They get the same number of scholarships as (everybody) and have a good chance to win."

Nolan Richardson: "Wichita has had a lot of tradition and to see them back in the tournament is very rewarding for me, having coached in the Missouri Valley Conference before. They have a chance to do very well and it takes away from the criticism (that the MVC shouldn't have gotten four teams in)."

MINNEAPOLIS Regional

(4) Boston College vs. (1) Villanova
Denny Crum: "Villanova has been a team that has amazed me all year. You don't see teams playing and winning with 4 guards 90 percent of the time. They pass the ball so well, they move well, they hustle after loose balls and they have outrebounded their opponents even with 4 guards and a 6'8" kid in the middle. It's fun to watch them play because you don't see that kind of ball handling and shooting anymore. It's been a breath of fresh air to watch them play."

Lou Carnesecca: "Don't underestimate Boston College. They've been through the wars, they've got Smith inside and the kid on the outside that can shoot it (Rice). They're seasoned veterans and when you get to the Finals that can be a big factor." Lefty Driesell: "Boston College depends less on the three-point shot than any team in the tournament. I pick Boston College to win."

(7) Georgetown vs. (3) Florida
Hugh Durham: "Florida has a good chance. They remind me of Coach Wooden's teams before everybody started weight lifting. That Noah kid is just a flat out player. Brewer can handle it, shoot it and guard it. They played exceptional defense and can also stroke the three. If they continue to play that way defensively it's gonna be interesting. It wouldn't surprise me to see them get back to the Final Four."

Lou Carnesecca: "Georgetown can put you to sleep with like 15 or 16 passes. Florida likes to put it up quick, so if Georgetown can get them off tempo, they can beat them. The big thing is gonna be the style of play."

Lefty Driesell: "Georgetown's strength is their inside play (as is Florida's). I like Georgetown, I think they've got a good ball club."