--Dexter Sports

3/29/07

So yesterday did not go as planned. Davidson, this year's George Mason, upset yet another power house in Wisconsin, The Spartans didn't pull the close game I expected, and Stanford didn't show up at any point during the game. Well, we can look at the bright side. You would think that going 1-3 would shut us down. No way people! Here are the picks for Saturday's Action.

Game 1

West Region

3 Xavier vs. 1 UCLA

6:40 PM ET CBS

The Match up:

I can't help but still be in love with the all around team game of Xavier. I love the guard match up in this game as the 5'7" Drew Lavender will be guarded by the 6' Darren Collison. Lavender has proven that his size doesn't matter all tournament. If his Guard play continues then this game could be the best of the tourney. Lets not forget the great play of UCLA center Kevin Love. If he can off-set the quick guard play of Xavier with timely shot blocking and decent inside defense, this game could become ugly.

My Pick: Xavier

I can't help but put my faith in the little guy. Both Xavier and Drew lavender are really small when it comes to the hype that comes with this UCLA squad. But if i have learned anything through my years of watching the tournament it is the fact that heart beats out size. As Drew Lavender himself put it, "They just got bigger and bigger, but it's still basketball." "It's not like the ball got bigger or the hoop got smaller." It is still basketball and that means the little guy will walk into the Final Four.

Game 2

East Region

1 UNC vs. 3 Louisville

9:05 ET CBS

The Match up

The intrigue lies within the play of centers Tyler Hansbrough and David Padgett. If Hansbrough can shut down the offense of Padgett, then it will be a real tough for the Cardinals to actually score. The Coaching in this game could be key as both Roy Williams and Rick Pitino are hall of fame coaches. This game could come down to the wire, but with UNC's intangibles this game should be put away by halftime.

My Pick: UNC

I cannot Imagine this team not pulling off a win here. Ty Lawson should be able to penetrate fairly easily and the UNC offense will shine throughout the game. Welcome to the final four.

--Dexter Sports
3/28/08

Ok, so yesterday wasn't perfect but 3-1, I'll take it. With that, lets get right into the picks for friday's games.



Game 1

Midwest Region

3 Wisconsin vs. 10 Davidson

Game Time: 7:10 ET CBS

The Match Up:

Davidson's Stephen Curry has scored a whopping 70 points in two games in this tourney and the Davidson offense has rolled over two pretty good defenses in Gonzaga and Georgetown. After a big upset of the Hoyas anything seems possible with the team, that is pesky and stays in games no matter how good the opponent is. Wisconsin though, is an opponent that is very similar to the Davidson Wildcats. Sure, they are not a mid-major and they have been in the polls all year, but their offensive styles are much similar. Both will wait to set up the best shot, and both rely heavily on guard play, though Wisconsin can get into the post with their big men, Brian Butch and Greg Stiemsma. I think that will be the difference here.

My Pick: Wisconsin

Though I would love to see the journey to the final four continue for Davidson, I cannot see them being able to contend with the all around offense of Wisconsin. They will also have a hard time dropping the deep ball simply because the Wisconsin defense is just too good. Look for a close game until late in the second half, when Wisconsin will pull away from the wildcats.

Game 2

South Region

2 Texas vs. 3 Stanford

Game Time: 7:27 ET CBS

The Matchup:

In what could be the best game in the tournament thus far, The Stanford Cardinal and the Texas Longhorns will play two different styles, both which could be very effective. The Long Horns are anchored by guards DJ Augustin and A.J Abrams, who can both score and dish the ball effectively. The Cardinal is led by sophomore big men Brooke and Robin Lopez, who will be called upon to get the big second chance rebounds. Look for the big men of Stanford to off-set the bad perimeter shooting that has haunted them in the past.

My Pick: Stanford

I love the Cardinal simply because of the play of the forwards and centers on this club. It will be hard to stop them all, and with Texas being a slashing team, It could be a great defensive showing for Stanford. Look for the Lopez brothers to be a factor from here on out.

Game 3

Midwest Region

1 Kansas vs. 12 Villanova

Game Time: 9:40 ET CBS

The Match Up:

Kansas is undoubtedly the best team in the tournament. When I say that, I refer to the fact that not one player has scored over 25 points this season. Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur, Mario Chalmers and Darnell Jackson can lead the squad in scoring on any night and the coaching of Bill Self gives the Jayhawks an advantage in tight games. Villanova is led by sophomore Scottie Reynolds, who is their go-to guy. Without him on the court, this team often looks lost but they can easily rotate players in who shoot the trey. Though Their defense was nothing more than horrible in the beginning of the season, the Wildcats have stepped it up in the last month. They haven't seen the depth and balance that Kansas brings though.

My Pick: Kansas

Kansas can swing the ball all over, with many prolific scorers who do their part. Though Villanova has scrapped their way to the sweet sixteen, I have to believe the road stops here. Kansas will meet the Badgers in the Midwest final.

Game 4

South Region

1 Memphis vs. 5 Michigan State

Game Time: 9:57 PM

The Match Up:

This is my favorite game of the night, as the Michigan State Spartans are a team that have played extremely well in the tournament and the Memphis Tigers are the team to beat. The Tigers, who ended the season with only one loss to rival Tennessee, are led by Junior guard Chris Douglas-Roberts and Freshman point guard Derrick Rose. This team can get up and down the floor with anybody and that is what makes them a big threat. The Spartans, coached by Tom Izzo, are a very fundamental group led by guards Drew Neitzel and Kalin Lucas, and rely on the shot blocking and defensive abilities of Senior Drew Naymick. Raymor Morgan is also a big reason the Spartans have made it this far.

My Pick: Michigan State

Can you smell an upset brewing? I sure can. This Spartan team is poised and do not struggle under the pressure of being down early. If the Spartans can hang in the game to late in the second half then they will be able to foul more, meaning that Memphis' weakness will be exposed.

That wraps up the Sweet Sixteen round. Stay tuned for the elite 8 pick 'em and remember you can catch all the games FREE on March Madness on Demand.