March Madness 2010 (East and West Regions) - Sweet 16 and Elite 8

What an incredible start to the 2010 NCAA Tournament. There were upsets and buzzer beaters galore, everything a college basketball fan could want. It will be tough for the second weekend of the tournament to live up to the first, but the potential is definitely there. The Sweet 16 tips off in Salt Lake City, and Syracuse.

West Regional Semi-Final

#5 Butler (30-4) vs. #1 Syracuse (30-4)

The Orange have been one of the most impressive teams in the tournament thus far, blitzing Vermont and Gonzaga. Butler hasn't lost since December 22nd, winning 22 games in a row in the process. They crushed UTEP in the first round and survived a scare from Cinderella Murray State in the second round.

Syracuse is likely to be without F Arinze Onuaku for this game, but that didn't seem to phase them much in the first weekend. F Wes Johnson had a fantastic game against Gonzaga and will make the Orange almost impossible to beat if he keeps playing at such a high level. G Andy Rautins was on fire from beyond the arc and will have to be accounted for by the Bulldogs.

Butler will try to slow down Syracuse's fast tempo offense, and limit their opportunities. Butler gave up just 59.8 points per game this year, and neither UTEP or Murray State were able to break the 60 point mark when playing them. The Bulldogs best player is G-F Gordon Hayward, but it was G Shelvin Mack that really carried the Bulldogs in the first weekend.

Butler will not be intimidated by Syracuse and can hang with the Orange. However, Syracuse has way more talent and that will win out in the end.

Prediction: Syracuse 73, Butler 65

East Regional Semi-Final

#11 Washington (26-9) vs. #2 West Virginia (29-6)

The Huskies have won 9 games in a row and have restored some respect back to the Pac-10 by making it to the Sweet 16. The Mountaineers are just as hot, winners of 8 in a row, but trouble is looming for them. They lost starting guard Darryl Bryant for the rest of the season to a broken foot he suffered in practice. Luckily for the Mountaineers they have depth at that position, and should be able to seamlessly slide in Joe Mazzulla to the starting lineup.

The big names for the Mountaineers are Mr. Clutch, Da'Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks. The Huskies counter with F Quincy Pondexter and G Isaiah Thomas. The big question in this game will be what will win out? West Virginia's bruising, physical style of play, or the Huskies fast-paced run and gun type of play.

I think Washington is peaking at the right time and will hang around in this game. However, I feel like West Virginia has been undervalued for most of the season and is right up there with the elite of college basketball. They will punch their ticket to the Elite 8.

Prediction: West Virginia 72, Washington 68

West Regional Semi-Final

#6 Xavier (26-8) vs. #2 Kansas State (28-7)

Xavier has been one of the most consistent programs in the country over the last couple of seasons. They go through coaches like crazy but keep finding ways to still be playing in the second weekend of the tournament. Kansas State has remained under the radar for most of the year but thanks to tremendous guard play from Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente they are definite national title contenders.

The Musketeers most well known player is G Jordan Crawford, who famously dunked on LeBron James over the summer. His back court mate Terrell Holloway can't be overlooked, so the battle between the Musketeers guards and the Wildcats guards will be the main storyline for this game.

The Wildcats have some bangers on the inside as well. Forwards Jamar Samuels and Curtis Kelly will likely give Xavier fits. They both can score, rebound, and play tremendous defense.

These teams are almost identical in points per game and points allowed per game. This might be the best game of Thursday night, although it is likely to get overshadowed by Cornell/Kentucky. I expect a close game, with the Wildcats guards making enough plays late to carry them to the Elite 8.

Prediction: Kansas State 75, Xavier 72

East Regional Semi-Final

#12 Cornell (29-4) vs. #1 Kentucky (34-2)

This will be the game that will have most of America's attention on Thursday night. The ultimate underdog Cornell against big, bad Kentucky. The more I think about this game the more it is reminding me of when George Mason took on UCONN in the Elite 8 in 2006. Like Mason, Cornell will be playing close to home and could have a slight home-court edge. Also, like that Mason/UCONN game Cornell could probably beat Kentucky one time in one hundred games, and that one time may be Thursday night.

Cornell has been shooting lights out thus far, and that led them to rout both Temple and Wisconsin. Senior Ryan Wittman is their best player and like most of his teammates a great shooter, shooting 47% on the season. Cornell also has a big man who can play, in C Jeff Foote.

The Wildcats are led by their three fantastic freshman, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, and their one veteran, Patrick Patterson. I think people have gotten a little too excited over Kentucky. They did crush their first two opponents but East Tennessee State and Wake Forest aren't exactly a murderer's row.

This should be a fascinating game to watch. Cornell's only chance will be if they can continue to stay hot shooting wise. I think the crowd will be a major factor, and at some point Kentucky's inexperience will cause them problems. However, I just think Kentucky has too much talent to lose to Cornell.

Prediction: Kentucky 75, Cornell 67

Saturday, I see the guard tandem of the Wildcats leading them past the Orange and putting them in the Final Four for the first time since 1964. In the East Regional Final, I think the young Cats will get coach John Calipari to another Final Four, when they defeat West Virginia. It remains to be seen whether this Final Four will actually stay on Coach Cal's record.