NCAA TOURNEY INSIGHT - SWEET 16

PURDUE-UCONN
UCONN: We all know about Thebeet and his ability to single-handedly alter an opponent's game plan! The Huskies are one of the best defensive teams in the nation and dominates the boards better than any team. The Huskies have struggled most when Thabeet gets into foul trouble. The Huskies have also been known to struggle at times offensively so will they be able to handle the toughness of this defensive-minded Purdue team and will Thabeet be able to avoid foul trouble early?

PURDUE: It is no secret that Purdue relies heavily on its defense. They are one of the best in the nation in field goal percentage defense and turnover margin. The question is do they possess enough offensive weapons to get the job done?


XAVIER-PITT
PITT: DeJuan Blair is a stud! But he must avoid foul trouble. Pitt was most vulnerable in games where he got into trouble early. This team is very balanced and quick which makes it difficult to defend them. This team can shoot from anywhere on the floor and on any given night a different player can take over the game. We saw this in the first two rounds and if not for the play of a few this team might not be here! Were the first two rounds a wake up a call?

XAVIER: The X-Men have the depth to keep fresh legs. They are one of the best defensive teams in the nation and offensively have the shooters to hurt you with the 3-ball. Despite their defensive-minded approach does this team possess the size and toughness to stand toe-to-toe with Pitt for 40 minutes?


MIZZOU-MEMPHIS
MEMPHIS: The Tigers might be the tallest team in this tourney - their SHORTEST starter is 6'5" which is why they give teams so many problems. Their length makes it difficult for opposing teams to get inside the paint and when they do they typically get smothered! Offensively this Tigers team has been consistent all season long but if they go cold will they be able to get by a Mizzou team that can make you pay?

MIZZOU: This team is very deep and they love to pressure teams defensively. The tandem of Carroll and Lyons in the paint makes it difficult for opponents to convert even if they are successful in breaking Mizzou's pressure. As athletic as Mizzou is we must remember this is still a fairly young team. Memphis has been know to bully teams this year so will Mizzou be able to match that toughness for 40 minutes and while covering 94 feet of the floor?


NOVA-DUKE
DUKE: When Duke is hot and shooting the ball well they can score in bunches. However, they lack size and strength in the paint. The Devils are one of the best coached teams in the nation and their understanding of the fundamentals of the game compensates for any weaknesses they possess. If they hit their open shots it could be a long day for Nova!

NOVA: Nova has Cunningham down low and he has the size and strength to expose Duke's vulnerability in the paint. Nova's guards are quick and athletic and have caused problems for many opponents. Reynolds is a player and he can single-handedly take over the game. Can Nova do a good enough job of defending the perimeter? If they can and can also control the boards then it could be a long day for Duke!


ARIZONA-LOUISVILLE
LOUISVILLE: The Cards play incredibly aggressive defense holding many of their opponents to under 60 points. This team doesn't lack confidence either as they have been known to throw up some crazy shots only to watch them go in. I have always said a confident team is a dangerous one - and Louisville fits this bill! The Cards have been somewhat vulnerable against teams with good guards and Arizona posseses one of the best point guards in the nation. If this game stays close throughout will Louisville give it away at the charity stripe where they are not very good?

ZONA: Again, the Cats are one of the most controversial teams to be in the tourney in quite a few years but they have proven naysayers wrong so far. And they pose a real threat to the Cards too so they better not take the Cats lightly. The Cats are very talented and possess two future NBA players in Hill and Budinger. They can defend the paint well and also score down low. The Cats are not a very deep team so will fatigue be the biggest concern down the stretch?


THE CUSE-OKLAHOMA
OKLAHOMA: OU will have the best player on the court in this one and Blake Griffin is aruably the best player in the nation. OU is tough to defend because of their size and strength down low. OU also possesses team depth and can wear down their opponents as a result. Johnson has been mistake-prone and will he be able to handle the quickness of the Cuse guards? If he can't it could be a long day for the Sooners!

THE CUSE: OU may have the best player on the floor but the Cuse has one of the best tandems in the nation. Davendorf and Flynn can take it to the rim but they can also pull up and nail the jump shot, making them very difficult to defend. The Cuse isn't very deep so they must avoid foul trouble early. The Cuse is one of the best at playing the zone and will it be too much for this Sooners team to handle?


KANSAS-MICHIGAN STATE
MICHIGAN STATE: This team loves to push the pace and is probably one of the best teams in transition. However, they are not a very good 3-point shooting team so if Kansas forces them into a half-court game it could be a very long day for Spartans! Defensively, the Spartans are good when they are good but are most vulnerable when they give up more than 70 points (2-5 this year). Can the Spartans hold the Jayhawks to less than 70 without taking themselves out of the the faster-paced transitional game they thrive on?

KANSAS: Sherron Williams is a quality player and the one who wants the ball when the game is on the line. However, he has also been known to be impatient at times and to force shots when they are not even there. If he is patient and can feed the ball to Aldrich down low they are as good as any team in this field. Aldrich has strong hands and is excellent at converting when he gets the ball. However, the Jayhawks have struggled most when he gets into foul trouble so if this game is called tight by officials Aldrich could be in trouble. Will the lack of experience on the bench ultimately lead to their demise?


GONZAGA-NORTH CAROLINA
UNC: Ty Lawson's return has been huge for the Heels and they now look like a team that can go the distance. The Heels are very quick and balanced making them tough to defend on both ends of the court. Hansborough is as good as anyone but he can be soft defensively. The Heels as a unit has been somewhat vulnerable defensively so will they be able to handle the Zags' aggressive style of play?

ZAGA: The Zags are known to get after it defensively and frustrate even the best teams. The Zags also possess the shooters to expose Carolina's weakness which is defending the perimeter. If the Zags go cold from the perimeter do they have enough size and strength to pound it down low?