The “final four” of the East region tip off in Newark, NJ tonight with a bracket that’s a good bit more chalk than the rest. #11 Marquette has been a surprise, but otherwise this bracket has gone as expected.
The nation’s #1 team Ohio State takes on #4 Kentucky in what is likely the premier matchup of the Sweet 16. I think you would be hard pressed to find another matchup in this round between two teams with as much talent. For me, this one comes down to experience. Ohio St is a great college team built for a tournament run. Kentucky is a young team of guys looking to jump to the NBA at the first possible opportunity. That means the Wildcats might have as much raw talent as anyone… but Ohio St knows how to win.
Pick: Ohio St. Buckeyes
The other game in the bracket features #2 North Carolina against #11 Marquette. Kemba Walker and UConn may have redeemed the Big East a bit last night by getting to the elite eight, which is good because I’m not expecting very much out of the Golden Eagles tonight. Maybe that’s unfair because they have beaten two really good teams in Xavier and Syracuse so far… but I think they struggle dealing with UNC’s big men.
Pick: North Carolina Tarheels
Check out our Southwest region picks.