Prediction
If UConn goes down early, there are five teams that can make a run to the Elite Eight, but until that happens UConn is clearly the class of the bottom half of that region. I think the winner of the Temple/Penn State game takes out San Diego State by exposing the Aztecs' lack of guard play. UConn should then sleep walk to the regional final.
As ridiculously weak as the bottom half of the bracket is outside of UConn, the top half is ridiculously strong. The second round games in this half of the bracket will probably be Duke vs. Michigan and Arizona vs. Texas. Your Sweet 16 game features a pair of teams that have vied for number one rankings over the course of the year if the Longhorns face the Blue Devils.
The Longhorns match up very well with the Blue Devils because they have the athleticism to float to and defend the arc with their forwards which helps negate Singler and Kelly. Inside, Tristan Thompson should own the paint and the glass on both ends of the floor. The X-factor is Nolan Smith and whether or not Dogus Balbay and Cory Joseph can limit Smith. I think they can. I also don't think Kyrie Irving is factor in the tournament at least not a positive one as far as chemistry goes even if he is healthy. I think Texas gets the upset here because they're very talented and they'll enjoy being out from under the microscope of conference scouting reports which will help them regain their midseason stride.
In the Regional Final, Texas gets revenge from a two point regular season loss versus the Huskies in Austin with Tristan Thompson avoiding foul trouble this time and yet another big performance from J'Covan Brown off the bench.
The Longhorns head back home to Houston for the Final Four and a date with Ohio State.
Via March Madness 2011 Predictions: Bracket Picks, Sleepers For West Region - SBNation.com
