Chances of Remaining BE Teams

[RushmoreAcademy]

How many BE teams will be left after the S16?
There's an entire board of discussion about who opinions on who wins our game... as for the rest....

1. Bucky v. Syracuse - I really, really hate to say this, but I don't think this is too bad of a matchup for Bucky, and it wouldn't shock me at all to see Syr as the first #1 to fall.
2. Cincy v. Ohio St. - We've seen both sides of Cincy, and they've shown both sides in this tourney too. As much as I'd like to see Gates one up Sullinger, I just don't see them getting by OS, but I think it will be close.
3. LVille v. Mich St. - The one we have the most vested interest in.  I honestly am a little surprised that LVille got this far.  I've thought they were overrated all year, (despite the OReb nightmare game vs. MU) and this has got to be the end of the line for them.

Looks like I'm hating on all BE teams... that wasn't intended.  By my count, there will be just one left on Saturday morning, and that's the Warriors.
Predictions?

[#MUBB]

MU and Cuse should be favorites, and I acutally think Cincy and Loserville have a pretty decent chance to advance. I'll be very surprised if there are less than 2 BE teams remaining on Saturday morning.

[Skatastrophy]

I totally disagree on #1.  UW-Madison is one of the teams where Syracuse won't miss Fab Melo.  There is just not enough dribble-driving out of UW-M this year to expose the weak underbelly of 'Cuse's zone at this point.

[RideMyBuycks]

Cuse -4
Cincy +8
Quette -2
Ville +5

MU line was a tad bit softer than I expected...I guess that's why it went from -1.5 at open to -2 now.

[mu_hilltopper]

Go Big East.  It would be amazing if half the Elite 8 was from the BE.

[copious1218]

I find it interesting that there are 3 Big East/Big xx matchups in the sweet sixteen.

Does this happen often? (with two conferences playing against each other in 3/8 of the games - not specifically Big xx v. Big East).

[brewcity77]

I really like Syracuse's chances. Did you guys see how anemic the Badger offense became when Vandy switched to a 2-3? And Vandy doesn't do the 2-3, at least not like Syracuse does. The only way the Badgers win that game is if they are hitting 45% or better from beyond the arc.

[karavotsos]

I have to respectfully disagree.  I thought both Brust's last 2 big 3's were against the zone, and one by Taylor.  Went and watched the highlights (thanks, by the way) and they showed Taylor and one of Brust's were against the zone.  Didn't show the other one.  When watching the game I don't remember UW's offense being any more anemic against the zone than it normally is.

I believe this is one of the games where the zone can actually hurt SU.  Ryan Evans is the perfect type of player to have in the middle of the zone and you can surround the perimeter with shooters.  Plus, UW can sit outside, pass the ball and run clock to their heart's delight if they are even or have any type of lead.

Buzz had that quote in the Milwaukee Magazine about bothering UW with your athleticism.  SU could easily do that if they could play disciplined man-to-man, but they don't.  Hopefully, they extend the zone into a trap like they have done some this year or press some to bother UW.  I don't see UW turning it over a lot within the zone to allow SU to run a lot that way.

I hope I'm wrong but I see that game being a lot closer than it should be or has to be.

Also, watching the UW-Vandy highlights and game at the time, it's pretty amazing how much slower it was than the MU-MSU game and how much easier it looked to get open shots.  Night and day.

[NotAnAlum]

Got to agree with Karavotsos.  This is a very good match-up for Wisconsin.  They can sit on the outside and throw up 3s, work for long rebounds and then burn another 30 secs off the clock.  Buckey doesn't turn the ball over so the SU fast break should be limited.  Buckey is not deep but without the fast break SU shouldn't create foul problems.  Hate to say it but I see SU losing like 48-52.