Sweet 16 Predictions

[bballnut90]

Matchups:
1. UCONN vs. 12. BYU. Very impressed that BYU was able to beat a good Nebraska team, but this will be a blood bath. UCONN by 25+

3. Texas A&M vs. 7. DePaul. I don't see DePaul nailing 14 triples against Texas A&M. I think Aggies win by 5-10

1. South Carolina vs. 4. North Carolina. I really think the outcome of this game is completely up to North Carolina. If they bring their A game, I think they could win in a close one. If they do not, I think South Carolina rolls. I'm guessing DeShields brings her A game and UNC pulls the upset.

2. Stanford vs. 3. Penn State. Easy win for Stanford, Ogwumike could go for 35+

1. Tennessee vs. 4. Maryland. I think Tennessee leads the whole way and pulls away in the 2nd half. Thomas has a big game for Maryland. Tennessee by 10.

2. Louisville vs. 7. LSU. Louisville looked absolutely phenomenal tonight, Schimmel had probably the best game of her career (26 points, 7 assists, 5 steals, 5 rebounds, 1 turnover) and Slaughter looked to be in Baylor form (5-6 from long range.) LSU has proven a lot of people wrong so far and showed how strong they are on the glass, but I think Louisville rolls at home.

1. Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State. Notre Dame looked less than spectacular yesterday against ASU, but I don't think they'll have trouble against Oklahoma State. Notre Dame by 15 in a game where Oklahoma State never really challenges UND.

2. Baylor vs. 3. Kentucky. This is the most intriguing match up because of the crazy 4 OT game earlier this year. If Sims utilizes her teammates, I think Baylor gets the win. If she takes 30+ shots, Kentucky wins. Worth noting, I think outside of UCONN, both of these teams are the worst matchups for Notre Dame. Kentucky is so athletic and streaky that I think if they bring their A game, they have the energy and defense to rattle Notre Dame in the Elite 8. For Baylor, I don't see Notre Dame having anyone to stop Odyssey Sims and if Sims catches fire, it might present a challenge for Notre Dame to keep up. That said, I still fully expect Notre Dame to cruise into the title game but it could wind up being a very entertaining Elite 8 matchup.

 

[diggerfoot]

Very good analysis. I'd be cheering for DePaul to beat TAMU and Maryland to beat Tennessee (sorry), but I suspect your predictions are correct.

However, I do think Louisville is another team besides Baylor and Kentucky that can beat Notre Dame. I would not favor them, but they would have an easier task to upset Notre Dame this year through returning a more experienced version of the same team that upset Baylor last year. Of course, for them to even meet in the FF Louisville also would have to beat Tennessee. I suspect we would differ in our predictions for that game.