Elite Eight Viewing Guide

Week 2 picked up where week 1 left off, with some more great games. The best of the Sweet 16 round had to be the game between Xavier and Kansas State. The Musketeers hit some great shots to extend the game into double overtime, where Kansas State finally won it. The guard play on both sides was tremendous.

The biggest upset of round 3 had to be Butler beating Syracuse. The Orange were trailing most of the game, but took the lead late only to see Butler make a late run to win. Kentucky and Baylor offered the most impressive wins of the round, as cinderellas Cornell and St. Mary's came back to earth. And Northern Iowa couldn't extend their streak, losing to another Michigan State squad that has overachieved in the tournament.

So here's what the Elite 8 round looks like:

Saturday:

#2 Kansas State vs. #5 Butler (4:30 p.m.)
On paper you would definitely say Kansas State has the advantage. But you can't count Butler out, especially after their performance against Syracuse. They will have to be able to contain Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente if they have a shot of pulling another upset.

#1 Kentucky vs. #2 West Virginia (7:05 p.m.)
This is the marquee game of the weekend. Kentucky has looked unstoppable in its three games, and certainly has the talent to win it all. West Virginia has struggled at times, and turned the ball over way too much against Washington. But the Mountaineers are still a very solid team and present the biggest challenge to UK so far.

Sunday:

#5 Michigan State vs. #6 Tennessee (2:20 p.m.)
Raise your hand if you had this as the Elite 8 matchup in the Midwest Region. You have two teams that are very well coached that are both capable of beating anyone on any given night. Michigan State has been to several Final Fours in the last decade; Tennessee has never been to the Elite 8 before. The experience factor could play a role in this one.

#1 Duke vs. #3 Baylor (5:05 p.m.)
Duke got over the hump, making it to the Elite 8 for the first time in a long while (at least for their standards). They have to be a little concerned, though, at just how well Baylor played against St. Mary's. Duke certainly has the experience edge in this game, but is not as athletic as Baylor. It should be a great matchup.