The Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight were just as crazy as the first 3 rounds. There were 4 upsets in the 12 games played. This Final Four is sure to be exciting. I will also give my opinion on the All-Regional teams and Regional MOPs.
South Region - Atlanta, Georgia:
In the first Sweet Sixteen, #1 seed Kentucky faced #4 seed Indiana looking for revenge after Kentucky went to Indiana earlier in the year and lost by 1 on a game winning shot by Cody Zeller at the buzzer. In this game Indiana led earlier 43-39, but Kentucky rallied to led 50 to 47 at half. Kentucky then toke over in the second to win 102 to 90. With that win Kentucky advance to their 34th Elite Eight in school history and 3rd straight since 2010. In the 2nd Sweet Sixteen, #3 seed Baylor toke on #10 seed Xavier. Baylor basically was in control the entire game. They started this game leading 22 to 4 in the first 7 and a half minutes in. Xavier battled back to be down 29 to 36. Baylor pushed it out to 62 to 52. Xavier kept it close but ended up losing 75 to 70. Baylor advanced to their 4th Elite Eight in school and first time since 2010. In the Elite Eight, Kentucky and Baylor faced faced off for the right to play in New Orleans in the Final Four. Baylor jumped out to a 10 to 5 lead. Kentucky then scored 16 straight points to lead 21 to 10. Kentucky then pushed it out to a 38 to 17 lead. Kentucky led 42 to 22 at half. Kentucky continue to led 52 to 33. Baylor closed it a little to end the game but Kentucky was too good. Kentucky won the game 82 to 70 and advance to the Final Four in New Orleans. This is Kentucky's 15th Final Four.
The five players in the South Region team were Quincy Acy from Baylor, Christan Ward from Indiana and Doron Lamb, Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Acy averaged 13.3 PPG and 9 RPG in the 4 Tournament games and was the the main reason with Perry Jones III that Baylor advanced to the Elite Eight. Acy also recorded a double-double in the Sweet Sixteen game vs. Xavier. Christian Watford averaged 19.0 PPG and 4.7 RPG in 3 tournament games. He and Cody Zeller were the major reasons Indiana advance to the Sixteen Sixteen and he had a big 27 points vs. Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen game. Doron Lamb, Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with Terrence Jones are the main reason Kentucky is in the Final Four. Doron Lamb averaged 16.8 PPG and 2.3 RPG in 4 Tournament games. Anthony Davis the Player of the Year in college basketball also had a great 4 games but didn't win South Region MOP Michael Kidd-Gilchrist did instead. Davis averaged 14.5 PPG, 11 RPG and 4.5 BPG in 4 Tournament games and had 3 double-doubles. Kidd-Gilchrist averaged 13.5 PPG and 7.3 RPG in 4 Tournament games. Kidd-Gilchrist also had a double-double vs. Indiana in the Sweet Sixteen. I thought Anthony Davis should have been the MOP.
West Region - Phoenix, Arizona:
In the first Sweet Sixteen #4 seed Louisville toke on #1 seed Michigan State. The game was close for the first 13 minutes Louisville leading 14 to 11. The game stayed close and Louisville led 23 to 18 at half. Louisville was able to push the lead out to 35 to 25 with 13 minutes to go in the game. Louisville able to keep Michigan State from coming back they ended up winning 57 to 44. With that win Louisville advanced to their 12th Elite Eight in school history and first since 2009. In the second Sweet Sixteen #7 seed Florida battled #3 seed Marquette for the spot in the Elite Eight. Marquette jumped out to a early 9 to 5 lead in the first 5 minutes. Florida battled back to tie the game at 17 to 17 at the half way point of the 1st half. Florida was able to grab a 36 to 30 lead at half. Florida was able to extend the lead to 48 to 38 with 12 minutes to go in the game. Marquette closed the game to 58 to 52 with 3 minutes to go in the game. Florida was able to hold on to win 68 to 58. Florida advance to the Elite Eight for the 6th time in school history and 2nd straight since 2011. Louisville and Florida were set to take on each other for the right to advance to the Final Four. Florida jumped out to a quick 7 to 2 lead but just as quick Louisville had the lead winning 8 to 7. It stayed close they were tied 19 to 19 with 7 minutes to go in the first half. Florida toke control of the rest of the half and led 41 to 33 at half. Louisville battled back to get the score to 45 to 40 with Florida still in the lead. Florida stayed in control pushing the lead to 65 to 54 with 8 minutes left in the game. Louisville was then able to take the lead at 69 to 68 with 17 seconds to go and won the game 72 to 68 with the game on a 18 to 3 run to win. With the win Louisville advanced to their 9th Final Four in school history and first since 2005.
The All-West Region players were Bradley Beal from Florida, Draymond Green from Michigan State and Gorgui Dieng, Peyton Siva and Chane Behanan all from Louisville. Chane Behanan was awared the West Region MOP. Bradley Beal was a major contributor to Florida helping them advance to the Elite Eight. He averaged 15.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 3.0 APG in 4 Tournament games. He also had a double-double in the 2nd Round game vs. Virginia. Draymond Green was the major reason Michigan State was able to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. In 3 Tournament games, Draymond Green averaged 17.7 PPG, 13.7 RPG and 6.0 APG. He also recorded a Triple-Double in Michigan State's game vs. LIU Brooklyn and had double-doubles in every Tournament game. Gorgui Dieng, Peyton Siva and Chane Behanan all helped Louisville shock most people and advance to the Final Four after winning the Big East Tournament. Gorgui Dieng only averaged 7.0 PPG but had did averaged 8.0 RPG and 3.3 BPG in 4 Tournament games. Peyton Siva he only averaged 9.0 PPG but did averaged 7.0 APG in 4 Tournament games. He also had a double-double in the 2nd Round vs. Davidson. Chane Behanan was the West Region MOP averaging 14.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG. I agree with Behanan winning the West Region MOP.
East Region - Boston, Massachusetts:
In the first Sweet Sixteen, #2 seed Ohio State played instate rival #6 seed Cincinnati in an all Ohio Sweet Sixteen. He was close for the first 10 minutes with Ohio State leading 17 to 13. Ohio State then toke control for the last part of the 1st half leading 37 to 25 at halftime. Cincinnati was able to come back and tie it at 41 to 41 with 15 minutes left in the game. Cincinnati then led 49 to 45 with 12 minutes left in the game. Ohio State toke control back and was leading 65 to 53 with 5 minutes left in the game. Ohio State continued to push the lead out and ended up winning by 15 points winning 81 to 66. With the win Ohio State advanced to their 14th Elite Eight in school history and first since 2007. In the 2nd Sweet Sixteen game #1 Syracuse played #4 seed Wisconsin. The entire game was close. The first 5 minutes it was tied 7 to 7. Wisconsin was able to grab a 15 to 9 lead but not for long because then Syracuse came back and toke a 18 to 17 lead. After the score was flip flopping for a while Syracuse toke a 30 to 23 lead, but Wisconsin cut to down to 33 to 27 Syracuse lead at half. Wisconsin came back and tied it at 40 with 16 minutes left in the game. Syracuse toke a 48 to 41 lead but now for long because Wisconsin scored 6 in a row to make it 48 to 47. Wisconsin gained the lead winning 56 to 53 with 8 minutes to go in the game. Syracuse toke a 62 to 59 lead and a 64 to 61 lead. Wisconsin got within 1 point but Jordan Taylor missed a shot with 3 seconds left to seal a 64 to 63 Syracuse win. Syracuse advanced to their 8th Elite Eight in school history and first since 2003. The Elite Eight was set to face Ohio State vs. Syracuse for the right to play in the Final Four in New Orleans. In the Elite Eight game Ohio State jumped out to a early 9 to 2 lead. Syracuse then battled back to take a 23 to 21 lead with 8 minutes left in the half. The game stayed close for the rest of the half the score was 29 to 29 at half time. Ohio State came out strong taking a 45 to 36 lead with 14 minutes left in the game. Syracuse again made it close but were still down 52 to 51 with 8 minutes left in the game. Ohio State then pushed the lead back out to lead 62 to 55 with 3 minutes left in the game. Ohio State was able to hold on winning 77 to 70 to advance to the Final Four. Ohio State advanced to their 11th Final Four in school history and first since 2007.
The All-East Region team included Scoop Jardine from Syracuse, Jordan Taylor from Wisconsin and Lenzelle Smith, Jr., Deshaun Thomas and Jared Sullinger from Ohio State. Jared Sullinger won the East Region MOP. Scoop Jardine was a big help to Syracuse helping them advance to the Elite Eight. He averaged 13.8 PPG and 6.3 APG in 4 Tournament games. Jordan Taylor was the major reason Wisconsin made the Sweet Sixteen, he averaged 16.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 5.0 APG in 3 Tournament games. Lenzelle Smith, Jr., Deshaun Thomas and Jared Sullinger are the major reasons Ohio State is in the Final Four. Lenzelle Smith, Jr. averaged 11.3 PPG and 5.5 RPG in 4 Tournament games. Deshaun Thomas averaged 21.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 1.3 BPG in 4 Tournament games. Also had had a double-double vs. Loyola (MD) in the 2nd Round with 31 points and 12 rebounds. Jared Sullinger averaged 18.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 1.5 BPG. He also had 2 double-doubles in the 2nd Round and in the Sweet Sixteen. I agree that he was the East Region MOP.
Midwest Region - St. Louis, Missouri:
In the first Sweet Sixteen game #2 seed Kansas face #11 seed North Carolina State. North Carolina State jump out early leading 13 to 3 in the first 6 minutes. Kansas battled all the way back to tie the game at 17 with 9 minutes left in the half. Kansas lead 23 to 19 with 6 minutes to go in the half but North Carolina State lead by 1 point at half winning 33 to 32. Kansas started the 2nd half strong taking a 44 to 35 lead with 15 and half minutes to go in the game. North Carolina State closed the Kansas' lead to 56 to 50 with 5 minutes left in the game. Kansas held on it win 60 to 57 and advance to the Elite Eight. Kansas advance to their 21st Elite Eight in school history and second straight time since 2011. In the 2nd Sweet Sixteen game, #1 seed North Carolina toke on huge Cinderella #13 seed Ohio. North Carolina toke a early 12 to 4 lead. North Carolina still was look great leading 22 to 8 with 8 and half minutes left in the game. Ohio got it close but were still down 29 to 22 at half. North Carolina extended their lead to 37 to 27 with 17 minutes left in the game. Ohio rallied to close North Carolina's lead to 39 to 38 with 12 minutes left in the game. Ohio toke a 1 point lead with 6 and half minutes left in the game winning 51 to 50. They was stayed very close on ended regulation tied at 63 to 63. In overtime North Carolina dominated only allowing 2 points and winning the game 73 to 65 in overtime. With the win North Carolina advance to their 26th Elite Eight and 2nd straight since 2011. In the Elite Eight game Kansas and North Carolina faced off for the last spot in the Final Four. It was a shout out early with the score 23 to 23 with only 9 minutes gone by. The game was still tied at 31 to 31 with 7 and half minutes to go in the game. Kansas toke a lead 40 to 35 but North Carolina was able to tie it at 47 at half time. Kansas again toke the lead at 58 to 53 with 14 minutes left in the game. North Carolina then tied it at 61 with 12 minutes left in the game. Kansas again toke another lead this time a 68 to 67 lead with 4 minutes to go in the game. Kansas scored 12 straight points to win the game 80 to 67. Kansas advanced to the Final Four for the 14th time in school history and first time since 2008.
The All-Midwest Region players were Walter Offutt from Ohio, Tyler Zeller from North Carolina and Tyshawn Taylor, Jeff Withey and Thomas Robinson from Kansas. Thomas Robinson won the Midwest Region MOP. Walter Offutt with the help of D.J. Cooper helped Ohio advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 48 years. Offutt averaged 19.3 PPG and 3.3 RPG in 3 Tournament games. He had a big 26 point game vs. North Carolina. Tyler Zeller was big help to the North Carolina team this year that advanced to the Elite Eight. He averaged 15.0, 12.3 RPG and 3.3 BPG in 4 Tournament games. He also had 2 double-doubles and had a double-double-double with 20 points and 22 rebounds vs. Ohio in the Sweet Sixteen. Tyshawn Taylor, Jeff Withey and Thomas Robinson all were huge help to Kansas who advance to the Final Four. Tyshawn Taylor averaged 12.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 3.8 APG in 4 Tournament games. Jeff Withey only averaged 8.5 PPG but averaged 6.0 RPG and 5.0 BPG in 4 Tournament games. He had a crazy game with 10 blocks vs. North Carolina State. Thomas Robinson averaged 15.8 PPG and 12.5 RPG in 4 Tournament games. He also had 3 double-doubles in the first 3 games of the Tournament and was 1 rebound short off for a 4th one in the Elite Eight. I agree with him being the Midwest Region MOP.
The All-Midwest Region players were Walter Offutt from Ohio, Tyler Zeller from North Carolina and Tyshawn Taylor, Jeff Withey and Thomas Robinson from Kansas. Thomas Robinson won the Midwest Region MOP. Walter Offutt with the help of D.J. Cooper helped Ohio advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 48 years. Offutt averaged 19.3 PPG and 3.3 RPG in 3 Tournament games. He had a big 26 point game vs. North Carolina. Tyler Zeller was big help to the North Carolina team this year that advanced to the Elite Eight. He averaged 15.0, 12.3 RPG and 3.3 BPG in 4 Tournament games. He also had 2 double-doubles and had a double-double-double with 20 points and 22 rebounds vs. Ohio in the Sweet Sixteen. Tyshawn Taylor, Jeff Withey and Thomas Robinson all were huge help to Kansas who advance to the Final Four. Tyshawn Taylor averaged 12.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 3.8 APG in 4 Tournament games. Jeff Withey only averaged 8.5 PPG but averaged 6.0 RPG and 5.0 BPG in 4 Tournament games. He had a crazy game with 10 blocks vs. North Carolina State. Thomas Robinson averaged 15.8 PPG and 12.5 RPG in 4 Tournament games. He also had 3 double-doubles in the first 3 games of the Tournament and was 1 rebound short off for a 4th one in the Elite Eight. I agree with him being the Midwest Region MOP.
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