Here's a list of four Sweet 16 games you cannot afford to miss this week.
Two rounds are officially in the books for the NCAA Tournament. If the next two rounds are anything like the previous two, we're in for some great action.
Here are four games that you should be watching for this week as 16 teams battle to get one step closer to greatness.
1. #1 Florida vs. #5 Butler
The pressure will start to mount for the #1 overall seed in the tournament. After brushing past Jackson State and squeaking out a win against Purdue, the Gators face a team from the Horizon League.
Throughout the game against Purdue, the Gators struggled for much of the first half and even the second half. The Boilermakers did an excellent job sticking with the Gators. Now another team from the state of Indiana rides into town, looking to take down the defending champions.
As hot as Butler has been, they lack the experience to defeat a team with as much talent and experience as the Gators have. However, the Gators will struggle in the game and there could be a last shot situation.
2. #2 UCLA vs. #3 Pittsburgh
This will be the most intriguing match up in the West region. Ben Howland brings his Bruins into the match up against the team he coached for many seasons.
After breezing through Weber State, the Bruins struggled against Indiana and narrowly escaped defeat. Pittsburgh took a similar road, easily breezing through Wright State.
The Panthers were challenged greatly by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). It took overtime for the Panthers to defeat VCU.
The Bruins biggest challenge is stopping the Panthers offense. If the defense can pick it up and prevent star center Aaron Gray from scoring, the Bruins will be one step closer to making their second straight Final Four.
3. #3 Oregon vs. #7 UNLV
The Runnin’ Rebels are without a doubt the hottest team in the NCAA Tournament. They are also the highest seed still in the tournament. This is the Rebels best team since 1991, when they last made the Final Four.
Led by the father and son Kruger duo, the Rebels are the team to bet on after defeating Georgia Tech and upsetting Wisconsin.
The Ducks got to this point after squeaking out a close win over Miami (OH) and easily defeating Winthrop. This game will be fairly close and will come down to the wire. The Ducks have the best opportunity to defeat the Gators.
4. #1 Ohio State vs. #5 Tennessee
The Greg Oden Bunch strolls into The Alamo to take on a Tennessee team that has not made the Sweet 16 since 2000. Midnight appeared to have struck for the Buckeyes in the second round against Xavier, when senior Ron Lewis hit a game tying three to keep the Buckeyes alive. A rejuvenated Buckeye squad led by freshmen Mike Conley, Jr. strolled their way past Xavier and right into the Sweet 16.
Tennessee sent Long Beach State back to sunny California after a 35-point blowout. Then the Vols found themselves in a back-and-forth battle against Virginia, eventually coming out on top and making their first Sweet 16 in seven years.
The sweet sound of “Rocky Top” will end in San Antonio if the Vols cannot contain Greg Oden and the rest of the Buckeye squad.
