NCAA Tournament: Four sweet matchups to start the Sweet 16

3/25/09
duke
By Max J. Dickstein

NCAA Tournament: Four sweet matchups to start the Sweet 16

Photo credit: Game Face

Senior forward Dante Cunningham will soar for Villanova on Thursday night against Duke. (Getty Images)

By Max J. Dickstein

The men’s NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16 launches Thursday night with four games. Here’s what to watch for:

Connecticut (29-4) vs. Purdue (27-9)

Start: 7:07 p.m.

Distractions resulting from a Yahoo Sports report about alleged Huskies recruiting violations notwithstanding, UConn’s cruise through the first two rounds has a more acute challenge tonight in the fifth-seeded Boilermakers. Purdue beat favored Pac-10 champ Washington in round two thanks to tenacious perimeter defense.

Pittsburgh (30-4) vs. Xavier (30-6)

Start: 7:27 p.m.

One of five Big East teams playing for an Elite Eight spot, Pittsburgh has looked the most vulnerable of them all. Nearly upset by East Tennessee State, the famously physical Panthers hardly bowled over Oklahoma State in round two. Xavier will attempt the opportunistic upset.

Missouri (30-6) vs. Memphis (33-3)

30 minutes after UConn-Purdue

Two schools known as the Tigers, each on a mission, meet to determine their fates. Big 12 champion Mizzou has been proving doubters wrong all year with speed, accuracy and smarts. Memphis, last year’s NCAA runner-up to Kansas, thirsts for redemption after that bitter 75-68 overtime loss to Kansas; they have talent stacked high enough to win it all.

Duke (30-6) vs. Villanova (28-7)

30 minutes after Pitt-Xavier

Villanova’s disciplined 89-69 second-round defeat of UCLA is generating buzz about a classic matchup between the third-seeded Big East school and offensively hyperefficient Duke. The Blue Devils haven’t gotten past the third round of the NCAAs since 2004; Duke must defend better to make it there this season.
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NCAA Tournament: Four sweet matchups to start the Sweet 16

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