The Sweet 16 should still provide plenty of top-notch matchups and potential close finishes, however. While many people have already turned in their brackets and their picks for March Madness, viewpoints of teams change after the first weekend.
Here is the way the Sweet 16 will most likely shake out with revised picks for NCAA Tournament action in the second weekend on the road to the Final Four in Detroit this year:
NCAA Tournament Brackets: Sweet 16 Predictions
Here are picks for the next wave of NCAA Tournament bracket games:
Louisville vs. Arizona
The Wildcats have the kind of dependable, go-to scorers to stick with Louisville for a long time. But eventually the Cardinals' defense and athleticism will stake them to a close win as they wear down the Wildcats, making them the pick here.
Michigan State vs. Kansas
MSU already had a big 75-62 win over the Jayhawks earlier in the year and while Kansas is playing better, Michigan State should be able to win this one because of their depth and more balanced scoring options.
Cole Aldrich is playing great inside for Kansas but MSU is the prediction here because they have a ton of bodies to throw at him.
Connecticut vs. Purdue
Purdue is playing very well on both ends but Connecticut is finally living up to their potential. Stanley Robinson's emergence has been huge. JaJuan Johnson's athletic ability can somewhat match Hasheem Thabeet down low and Purdue's defense led by E'twaun Moore can put the clamps down on AJ Price. The pick here is Purdue in an upset with Robbie Hummel the difference.
Memphis vs. Missouri
Two athletic guard-based teams do battle in the third round of the NCAA Tournament here. Missouri has made a nice run but Memphis has the edge inside making them the close pick here.
Pitt vs. Xavier
Two tough, gritty teams will fight for an Elite 8 berth. Xavier will knock down big shots and make a big run at Pitt in this one, and it will go down to the wire. In the end, Pitt wins a close one and marches on.
Duke vs. Villanova
The Wildcats will spread Duke out and drive them all day while also kicking it out to hit open shots in this potentially epic NCAA Tournament game. Duke isn't the same team as they've been in the past making Villanova the Elite 8 pick here.
UNC vs. Gonzaga
The Zags have the ability on offense to match Carolina for a while but as long as Ty Lawson can set up his teammates a little bit off his injury, North Carolina will march on to the Elite 8.
Oklahoma vs. Syracuse
Michigan played well against Oklahoma until Blake Griffin took over. But Syracuse's length, size, and zone defense is just enough to contain Griffin in this one. Syracuse is a team on a mission and the pick to win this Sweet 16 game as Johnny Flynn takes over setting up the best tourney matchup so far in UNC vs. Syracuse for a shot at the Final Four.
