2010 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Picks

The first week of the 2010 NCAA Tournament was one of the best we've had to witness in a few seasons. Upsets galore and Cinderellas aplenty entering this week's Sweet 16 match-ups. This article will give you information on the lines of games current as of Monday morning and who I recommend betting on.

Sweet 16 Picks: 1 Syracuse Orangemen (-7.5) vs. 5 Butler Bulldogs
The Syracuse Orangemen have looked strong in their opening round match-ups. Against the Butler Bulldogs, don't expect anything to change. The Bulldogs don't have the talent or pizzazz to handle the Orangemen unless they play a horrible game. The Orangemen already defeated one mid-major in Gonzaga with simplicity, and they might be better than Butler.

Syracuse wins by double digits.

Pick: Syracuse Orangemen
Against the Spread: Syracuse Orangemen (-7.5)

Sweet 16 Picks: 2 West Virginia Mountaineers vs. 11 Washington Huskies
Two of the hottest teams entering the Sweet 16 collide before an eventual showdown against the Kentucky Wildcats or Cornell Big Red.

Washington has already eliminated one quality Big East opponent in Marquette. They played Georgetown competitively during the regular season. These games suggest that a close game should occur. The biggest disadvantage I see in this game is that the Mountaineers physical play could be exasperating for the Huskies lack of size. I also think that the Mountaineers are more battle tested. However, if an 11 seed as talented as Washington is close toward the end of the game, can West Virginia hold off any surges?

Therefore, I'm 51/49 on West Virginia taking out the Huskies in the Sweet 16. Personally, I wouldn't bet it. It could go either way.

Pick: West Virginia Mountaineers
Against the Spread: N/A

Sweet 16 Picks: 2 Kansas State Wildcats (-4.5) vs. 6 Xavier Musketeers
Remember when Xavier humiliated Kansas State in 2007? Kansas State got revenge on Xavier in December with a 71-56 victory. Xavier struggled against Kansas State's aggressive defense, and Jamal Crawford was the only positive for the Musketeers. Unless the Musketeers can get support from other role players, they will struggle against Kansas State.

I like a closer game, but I think Kansas State will pull away at the end. Might not be double digits, but Kansas State should win reasonably.

Pick: Kansas State Wildcats
Against the Spread: Kansas State Wildcats (-4.5)

Sweet 16 Picks: 1 Kentucky Wildcats (-9) vs. 12 Cornell Big Red
The Kentucky Wildcats are my pick for 2010 National Champions. Believe it or not, however, the game against the Cornell Big Red may be Kentucky's biggest obstacle on the road to the 2010 NCAA Championship game.

The Kentucky Wildcats have not been tested. They dominated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the second round with ease. With the Wildcats youth, you have to wonder about their egos after demolishing a prestigious basketball program like Wake Forest. They cannot look at Cornell's 12 seed and consider this an automatic victory; Cornell dominated two quality basketball teams in the opening weekend, and the Ivy Leaguers have played the Jayhawks and Orangemen competitively during the regular season.

I have to give Kentucky coach John Calipari credit for how his teams have performed as favorites over the past few years. It just seems like Kentucky has way too much talent for the Big Red to even be close by halftime, but I'm going on a limb here: the Big Red will keep it close throughout. Kentucky will win, but not cover.

Pick: Kentucky Wildcats
Against the Spread: Cornell Big Red (+9)

Sweet 16 Picks: 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (-5) vs. 6 Tennessee Volunteers
Despite losing players earlier in the season and Bruce Pearl not having his best roster, the Volunteers have looked resilient and sound during the opening weekend of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. They haven't played a powerhouse program, however. The Buckeyes looked stout in both their opening round games and are one of the best teams in the country when firing on all cylinders.

I like the Buckeyes here. They have more talent on the perimeter and are a more complete team. Buckeyes are my pick to represent the left side of the bracket in the 2010 NCAA championship bracket.

Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes
Against the Spread: Ohio State Buckeyes (-5)

Sweet 16 Picks: 3 Baylor Bears (-3.5) vs. 10 St. Mary Gaels
This game has the potential to be the best game in the Sweet 16. Which team will get the opportunity to eliminate Satan from the 2010 NCAA Tournament? Both teams have the talent and build to upset Duke from a Final Four entry this season.

The Baylor Bears are proficient on both sides of the ball. Ekpe Udoh and Omar Samhan could be the ultimate match-up of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. Both teams have depth and guard play that is capable of scoring points.

I originally picked the Baylor Bears to get to the Final Four, and I still believe it. I like their defense more than the Gaels, and I believe Udoh can slow down Samhan just enough for the Bears to be victorious. However, if the Bears take the Gaels likely, they will get dismantled. I think the winner of this game can handle Duke.

Pick: Baylor Bears
Against the Spread: St. Mary Gaels (+3.5)

Sweet 16 Picks: 5 Michigan State Spartans vs. 9 Northern Iowa Panthers
Two teams entering the Sweet 16 in different fashion. The Northern Iowa Panthers defeated the overall #1 seed to complete the upset of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. The Michigan State Spartans will be entering the Sweet 16 without their star player, Kevin Lucas. In addition, Michigan State may be without Chris Allen, a key role player for the Spartans.

These injuries may actually be a positive for the Spartans. Over the years, the Spartans have been the ultimate NCAA underdog. They play much better when they are behind the 8-ball. This was proven yet again in a near failure against New Mexico State. The Spartans are certainly more talented than the Panthers, but these injuries may force the team to play better than what they would against a 9^th seeded Northern Iowa team.

I like the Spartans to come together and pull out a victory against a strong Northern Iowa team.

Pick: Michigan State Spartans
Against the Spread: N/A

Sweet 16 Picks: 1 Duke Blue Devils (-8) vs. 4 Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue Boilermakers limped into this tournament without Robbie Hummel, but they have managed to survive with stout defense. The Blue Devils will likely run the Boilermakers out of the game, but lets not discount that Purdue was the 4^th ranked team nationally just a couple weeks ago. If the Boilermakers defense can hold its ground and Jajuan Johnson can be a force, they might eliminate the Dukies from the Sweet 16.

Not betting on that, however.

Pick: Duke Blue Devils
Against the Spread: Duke Blue Devils (-8)

Check out my article featuring my 2010 NCAA Tournament 2^nd chance bracket!

REFERENECES:
Odds are from Cooper's Pick as of March 22, 2010 at 920 AM CT.
Associated Press, "Xavier 56, Kansas State 71." ESPN. Dec 8, 2009. Mar 22, 2010.
Associated Press, "Lucas suffers injury vs. Maryland." ESPN. Mar 22, 2010.