East Regional Review and Preview

The next region I am going to take a look at is the East regional where you have two of the most historic schools in UNC and Kentucky, the team that is playing the best basketball in the country right now in Ohio State, and a suprise in Marquette. Before looking ahead I will look back at the first two rounds in this region. I will tell you how the sweet sixteen and elite eight will play out and who is going to Houston for the Final Four out of this region.

First weekend review

Like the rest of the regions there have been a lot of great games (Princeton-Kentucky, Washington-North Carolina, and Syracuse-Marquette) and some controversy especially in the Washington-North Carolina game. The story of this region has been the absolute dominance of the Overall #1 seed Ohio State who has crushed UTSA and George Mason.



Sweet Sixteen

Kentucky vs. Ohio State

This game matches two major conference tournament champions led by coaches with final four experience. Both teams have superstar freshmen in Jared Sullinger for Ohio State and Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones for the Wildcats. Ohio State also has experience in David Lighty and lights out shooting in Jon Diebler leading a great supporting cast. Kentucky's supporting cast include Josh Harrellson and DeAndre Liggins. In the end I see the Buckeyes having too much fire power and winning 75-67.



UNC vs. Marquette

If you look at the history of these two schools it is David vs. Goliath and it may be the same way on the court Friday. North Carolina is led by Freshman superstar Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller, and John Henson while Marquette is led by Darius Johnson Odom, Jimmy Butler, and Joe Crowder. The coaching matchup is also a mismatch as Roy Williams, who was won two national titles, faces Buzz Williams and the stands will be covered in Carolina Blue. When the buzzer sounds I see Carolina winning comfortably 70-56.



Elite 8

North Carolina vs. Ohio State

There are a lot of great matchups here with Barnes vs. Diebler and Zeller vs Sullinger. Both teams have been playing well as of late and are very well coached. Like the sweet sixteen the crowd will be mostly in Carolina Blue. The key to this matchup is will Carolina's supporting cast step up and matchup what guys like Lighty, Craft, and Dallas Lauderdale can do for Ohio State. I see Ohio State winning a great game 75-71 and advancing to their 2nd final four in four years.