Your picks on the 8-9 seed matchups in Men's NCAAs?

Question

Here they are:
8 Arizona v 9 Purdue
8 Kentucky v 9 Villanova
8 Marquette v 9 Mich State, aka The Mentor v The Student
8 BYU v 9 Xavier

Thanks!

Thursday's matchups were a hit on most of the Answerers. After the other two games, I'll choose the Best. Thanks!

Answer 1

Purdue
Kentucky
Michigan State
BYU

Answer 2

For Arizona-Purdue, I hear that Purdue is too tough inside scoring with Carl Landry and outside with David Teague but disagree with that. I think Arizona with Mustafa Shakur, freshman sensation Chase Budinger, Marcus Williams, and Ivan Radenovic countered with Jawan McClelland Arizona has more than enough TALENT to beat Purdue. But Arizona has been inconsistent all season. The game will be close but based on Lute Olsen having the coaching advantage Arizona should win.

Kentucky-Villanova is a battle between two teams who are limping into the tournament. Mike Nardi is injured and UK has a bruised ego after going 9-7 in the SEC for the second year in the row and now their coach is on the hot seat. UK has enough talent POTENTIAL but they must understand that with Randolph Morris they have a huge advantage on almost every team in the West region. I think if Ramel Bradley gets hot, UK should not only beat Villanova, who seems to go up and down, but also have a chance to advance to the Sweet 16.

Marquette-Michigan St. is indeed The Mentor v. The Student but there is another marquee matchup, Dominic James v. Drew Neitzel. Both of these guards are dynamic, tough, hard-nosed players and have the ability to shoot their teams into games (or out). I will give the edge to James because his team has more of a supporting cast than Neitzel.

BYU-Xavier is tough. Xavier is one of those teams that many people believe did not deserve to make it into the NCAA tournament. They won the anemic Atlantic 10 but they got an at-large anyway. Xavier is playing close to home and have someting to prove..that being said I am going to choose BYU. BYU is very efficient. They shoot the ball well and they have the MWC Player of the Year Keena Young, and Young has the ability to take over the game. Counter that with the inside presence of blossoming center Trent Plaisted and the guard play of Danny's son Austin and you have a well-balanced team capable of winning a game in the tournament (and possibly 2 although that seems like a stretch)

Answer 3

I do not know how but clearly the committee had it in for the Big East putting Marquette 8 and Villanova 9. Notre Dame a top 20 team and ranked 6th? Syracuse out??? something is up with the committee this year. Villanova and Marquette will make it to the Sweet 16.

Answer 4

These are tough to pick this year.

I think Arizona can get past Purdue, but that's a tough call.

Kentucky and Nova are also tight, but I give the edge to Nova. Scottie Reynolds and Curtis Sumpter are just too good, and I think are better than anyone the cats can provide.

BYU and Xavier...who cares? :) I picked BYU simply because Xavier doesn't deserve to be in the tourney and plays in a bad conference.

The best game of the four, MSU and Marquette, I give to Marquette. Bottom line reason is that Dominic James > Drew Neitzel.

Answer 5

I got Arizona, Villanova, Marquette, and BYU this year

Answer 6

Purdue, Villanova, Michigan State, and Xavier.

Answer 7

Arizona
Kentucky (For Tubby Smith's sake I really hope they at least make it out the 1st round)
Michigan State
Xavier

Answer 8

Arizona
Kentucky
Mich. St.
Xavier

Ariz. & Kentucky will make it to the final 4. Bet on it!

Answer 9

Purdue
Villanova
Michigan State
BYU

Answer 10

Arizona
Villanova
Marquette
Xavier