Picks for Tonight's Games

Day One of the Sweet Sixteen produced four pretty exciting games, with three coming down to the last shot of the game. Hopefully Day Two will be the same. Yesterday I went 3-1, missing only the A&M loss to Memphis. OC went 2-2, also missing the A&M game along with picking Pitt over UCLA. On to the picks:

MIDWEST REGION

#1 Florida over #5 Butler
In the first game of the night, the Butler Bulldogs take on the Florida Gators. So far, I have picked against Butler in both of their previous games. However, I just think Florida is too deep for A.J. Graves and company. I look for Butler to keep it close for the first 25-30 minutes of the game, but in the end I think the Gators will cover the 10-point spread 83-70.

#7 UNLV over #3 Oregon
This game pains me, because deep down I know I should be picking Notre Dame in this game (had they not layed a fat egg against Winthrop). Oh well, it happens. I like UNLV in this game for two reasons: 1) I think they are VERY good and love the way they play basketball and 2) I really don't like the Pac-10. This should be a pretty high scoring game, and I like UNLV to win 76-67.

EAST REGION

#2 Georgetown over #6 Vanderbilt
This is a very intriguing game. I love Vanderbilt. I think they are a really good team, and are obviously talented enough to beat anyone in the country. SEC Player of the Year Derrick Byers is one of the best players left in the Tournament and could cause fits for the Hoyas. Georgetown, on the other hand, is one of the teams in America right now, with two future lottery picks in Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert. I've seen a ton of their games and they really play solid basketball. This was the toughest game of the round for me to pick, but since I have G'Town winning it all, I gotta go with the Hoyas 69-67.

#5 USC over #1 UNC
I know earlier I said that I hate the Pac-10, but I'm making this pick based mostly on this article about the recruitment of future USC freshman O.J. Mayo. This guy might turn out to be the most eccentric player in the history of the game, OR he is quite the visionairy. We'll see in a couple years. Anyway, I haven't been high on the Tar Heels all year. They are very talented and very deep, but I just have a feeling. I really think USC can beat UNC. Thus, I'm going with the Trojans in the upset of the tournament, 79-73.

Stay tuned for OC's picks.