It seems to be moving all too fast, but the second weekend of the NCAA tournament is here. Sweet 16 action is ready to get going tonight and presents opportunity for four teams to keep their hopes alive at a national title. Here are the picks for Thursday night's Sweet 16 action.
East: No.7 Michigan State vs No.3 Kansas State
Pick: Michigan State
It is no secret that Tom Izzo knows how to win in March. This tournament is just more evidence to that. For the ninth time the past 15 years the Spartans find themselves in the Sweet 16. After their win over Marquette, Izzo now has the most wins as the lower seed in the tournament with 16. Tom Izzo is in his 28th season at Michigan State with a 10-4 record in the Sweet 16. Their most recent appearance was a win over LSU in 2019. For Kansas State they are under a first-year head coach in Tang and making their first trip back to the tournament since 2019. If Michigan State is going to pull out the win, they will need to slow down Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell who both come in averaging 17 points per game. The Wildcats have had a heck of a season, but Izzo I think gets yet another win the NCAA tournament.
West: No.8 Arkansas vs No.4 UConn
Pick: UConn
After their upset over Kansas in the round of 32 the Razorbacks have an opportunity that even top tier programs don't have a chance at. With a win over UConn the Razorbacks would be heading back to the Elite Eight for the third consecutive year. This is already the third straight Sweet 16 for Arkansas one of only four teams to do so (Gonzaga, UCLA, Houston). This is the first time that Arkansas has made the tournament three straight years since the (06-08') seasons. Even with all of that UConn has been playing like a top team in the country this season. The Huskies took down Iona and St. Mary's to get to this point led by their defense. The biggest reason I am going with the Huskies is Sanogo is averaging 26 ppg and 10.5 rpg in the first two games this tournament. Dan Hurley will lead the Huskies to an Elite Eight appearance.
East: No.9 FAU vs No.4 Tennessee
Pick: Tenn
In a historic run for the Owls of FAU, they make their first appearance in the Sweet 16 in program history. Dusty May is looking for his 100th win at head coach but it will not be an easy task. Rick Barnes is back in the second weekend and got here in impressive fashion. Taking down a Duke team coming off an ACC tournament championship. The defense of the Vols is something to fear and will bring the biggest challenge for FAU this season who is 33-3. The average three-point percentage against the Vols this season is 26.5%. I'm taking Rick Barnes and the Volunteers to get it done in New York.
West: No.3 Gonzaga vs No.2 UCLA
Pick: UCLA
To wrap up the slate of game we end in the West with a big-time rematch. UCLA will take on Gonzaga in the NCAA tournament for the second time in the past three years. UCLA is tied for the most wins this season at 31. This is the third straight trip to the second weekend for both teams. Cronin and Few have had success at their respective programs and look to add to it tonight. Gonzaga is 40-22 under Few in the tournament. The Zags are one of two teams who have won at least their first game of the tournament for 14 consecutive years, Kansas the other with 16. Gonzaga has the most wins in the tournament since 2017 with 19. The key I will look to this game will be if UCLA is winning at halftime. Since 2017 UCLA is 102-19 when leading at the half and only 31-43 in the games they have trailed. I think the Bruins are able to pull this one out in a close game in the West.