The four top seeds have survived so far, but the Final Four has consisted of all No. 1 seeds only once (2008). So what team is most likely to get upset in their Sweet 16 matchup.
4. No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 4 Indiana » The Hoosiers know they can beat the Wildcats because they are the only team to do so during the regular season. Indiana forward Christian Watford hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in a 73-72 win in December. The key was getting player-of-the-year candidate Anthony Davis in foul trouble. The 6-foot-10 freshman had just six points in 24 minutes in the loss. Led by its own freshman star, Cody Zeller, Indiana has a frontline that can compete with Kentucky. But the talent of the Wildcats and revenge factor make this the least likely upset of top seeds.
3. No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 13 Ohio » This is by far the biggest mismatch. Ohio doesn’t play anyone over 6-foot-8 while the Tar Heels’ frontcourt consists of three future first-round picks — Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller and John Henson. But the possibilities of an upset lie in the health of North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall, who had surgery Monday on his fractured wrist. Marshall is the team’s driving force, averaging 9.8 assists a game. Will the Tar Heels have to turn to freshman Stilman White, who averaged just 4.3 minutes a game?
2. No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 4 Wisconsin » After surviving against No. 16 UNC ASheville, the Orange bounced back with a convincing win over Kansas State. Wisconsin has forced its opponents to slow the tempo, holding Montana and Vanderbilt under 60 points in its two tournament victories. Winning the turnover battle will be the key in this Sweet 16 matchup. Syracuse was second in the country in turnover margin at plus-5.8 and averages 9.4 steals a game. Meanwhile, Wisconsin averages just 9.0 turnovers a game, the second-fewest in the country.
1. No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 4 Louisville » Is there anything Draymond Green can’t do? Well, the Michigan State senior forward will be challenged by the Big East tournament champions. The Cardinals are riding a six-game winning streak with hounding defense. The most intriguing matchup though may come on the sideline, where Rick Pitino is trying to make his third Elite Eight in five years and Tom Izzo is going for a seventh Final Four appearance.
– Jeffrey Tomik
