Sweet Sixteen.... Day One

The Sweet Sixteen begins tonight and the match-ups couldn't be much better.

You have UCONN playing their first game since allegations alleging improper benefits given to a recruit. Will this be a distraction for the talented Huskies? I don't think so given this team has already lost its starting PG (Jerome Dyson), and had its coach miss the first game with dehydration.

Then there's Duke, who is playing in the regional semifinals for the first time since 2006. Though the Blue Devils lack a true inside presence, guard Gerald Henderson has taken his game to a higher level for the tournament. He is leading Duke with 18.5 points and second on the team in rebounding. No matter how Duke does the rest of this tourney, Henderson has played himself into a lottery pick in June's draft.

If you want to see a team with a strong inside presence, then look no further than the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Panthers have DeJuan Blair snatching every rebound in sight. Though he is only listed at 6'7", Blair is averaging 14 rebounds in his first two tournament games. His ability to stay out of foul trouble will determine if Pittsburgh advances to the Final Four.

Memphis is trying to have a repeat visit to the Final Four. last year, they were a couple of free throws away from winning the National Championship, but this year they haven't dropped off. Despite losing a trio of players to the NBA, Memphis went through Conference USA undefeated (again) and was in contention for a number #1 seed With rumors that the University of Kentucky job is about to be available, Memphis head coach John Calipari could be looking to make the statement that lands him that prestigious position.

My picks to win tonight's games are UCONN, Pittsburgh, Memphis and Villanova. That Duke-Villanova game was a bit difficult to pick. Both teams are perimeter orientated but Villanova is the tougher team. And all that point guard switching Coach K did during the latter part of the season has me worried. So Villanova it is.

My bracket isn't in total shambles, but I did miss on a couple of second round games. All my Final Four teams remain so I still have a shot for bragging rights amongst my friends for the best bracket. I got 11 of the Sweet Sixteen teams which is about 69%. My Elite Eight number should be better.