cbhsports 2021 men’s NCAA College Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 Preview

West Region

1.Gonzaga over 5.Creighton

Gonzaga has been too good.

6.USC over 7.Oregon

This will be a phenomenal game between two teams that have had impressive runs in the NCAA Tournament. I see Evan Mobley having another phenomenal game (and USC finding away to defend Oregon star Chris Duarte) to make the Elite 8.

East Region

1.Michigan over 4.Florida State

I don’t know why anyone is doubting Michigan. They have now won two games without leading scorer Isaiah Livers during their tournament run. Florida State struggles to score at times and Michigan will take advantage of that.

2.Alabama over 11.UCLA

UCLA and the rest of the Pac-12 is red hot but it is too bad they have to run into Alabama. The Tide made a record 15 threes in their round of 32 win over Maryland. The Tide should win by at least ten.

South Region

1.Baylor over 5.Villanova

Villanova has had one of if not the easiest road to the Sweet 16. Baylor will beat the Wildcats by 15.

3.Arkansas over 15.Oral Roberts

Arkansas beat Oral Roberts by 11 back in December. Oral Roberts became the second 15 seed to ever make the Sweet 16 following FGCU in 2013. Max Abmas, the leading scorer in the NCAA, and Kevin Obanor are the dynamic duo for Oral Roberts and have not been contained defensively in either the Round of 64 by Ohio State or Round of 32 by Florida. If anyone ends Oral Roberts run, its going to be Arkansas’ length and good defense led by guard Jalen Tate, Davonte “Devo” Davis, Moses Moody, Jaylin Williams and Justin Smith.

Midwest Region

8.Loyola Chicago over 12.Oregon State

Loyola-Chicago upset Illinois led by a huge double-double from Cameron Krutwig. Oregon State upset both five seed Tennessee and four seed Oklahoma State (with potential number one pick Cade Cunningham) in the Round of 32. I see Loyola and Oregon State going back and forth early but Loyola breaking away at the end of the first half for a win.

2.Houston over 11.Syracuse

Quentin Grimes versus Buddy Boeheim is going to be fun. Houston wins and makes the Elite 8 for the first time since the Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler days.