2011 Sweet 16 Southeast Region Odds, Predictions and Free Picks – NCAA Tournament Betting Preview: Aside from Butler, the Southeast Region ended up as expected. Unfortunately for brackets everywhere, the only one of the top-four seeds that didn’t make it to the Sweet 16 was top-seeded Pittsburgh. The loss continues a run of early exits for the Panthers, and despite some great seasons, Jamie Dixon has yet to take his team to a Final Four. Meanwhile, last year’s runner-up Butler still has a chance to get back to the title game.
2011 Sweet 16 Southeast Region Matchup Previews
No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 8 Butler: The Badgers weathered a 38-point outburst from Kansas State’s Jacob Pullen to reach the Sweet 16, while Butler continues to find ways to win tight games. The buzzer beater against Old Dominion and late free throw versus Pitt are part of a string of four straight tournament games decided by two points or less for the Bulldogs.
This has all the makings of a down-to-the-wire type of game. Wisconsin likes to slow the pace and take high percentage shots, and Butler seems to be able to grind it out regardless of the opponent. The Badgers can spread the floor with their core of talented big men, but Matt Howard and the Bulldog post players are athletic enough to hang with them.
In the end, the difference maker is Wisconsin point guard Jordan Taylor. He is probably the best point guard in the Big Ten, and he is coming of a miserable shooting game against Kansas State. His teammates bailed him out, and he will return the favor this time around and lead the Badgers to the Elite Eight.
2011 Sweet 16 Southeast Region Projected Winner: Wisconsin
No. 2 Florida vs. No. 3 BYU: The game plan for each team couldn’t be more different. Jimmer Fredette is the unquestioned center of the BYU offense and is scoring 30 points a game on a regular basis. Meanwhile, the Gators use a balanced attack led by guards Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker. Different or not, each team’s style of play has them in the Sweet 16 and facing off for a spot in the Elite Eight.
Fredette, and to an extent the officiating, is going to play a major role. There is no question that Fredette’s star power gets him a majority of the calls that could go either way, and he practically throws a stiff arm whenever he drives the baseline. If he lives at the line and gets the Gator guards in foul trouble, The Cougars could pull this one out.
Not surprisingly, Florida’s chances hinge on limiting Fredette’s offense. He is going to get his points, but as long as he needs 25-plus shots to get 30-plus points, the Gators will have the edge. As a team, Florida is faster and more athletic than BYU. The Gators should be able to score plenty in transition, and Vernon Macklin can do some damage inside if given enough touches. The Gators are a more complete team, and that should win out in the end.
2011 Sweet 16 Southeast Region Projected Winner: Florida
2011 Sweet 16 Southeast Region Favorite to Make the Final Four
Wisconsin: The Badgers are just a matchup nightmare for teams. Jon Leuer and every player that Bo Ryan puts on the court can step out and knock down a 3-pointer if given the opportunity. While Wisconsin can pull the opposition’s bigs away from the basket, they also have the height to rebound effectively on the defensive end. As long as Jordan Taylor is running the point, the ball will get to the open man. The rest of the Badgers will handle things from there. The athleticism of Florida could present a possible problem, but Taylor gives them just enough speed to emerge from this region.
2011 Sweet 16 Southeast Region Sleeper to Make a Run
Butler: How can you not take a chance on the Bulldogs? It seems like a different player steps up each game, and Matt Howard has an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the end of games. There are plenty of reasons why Butler shouldn’t be able to beat many of the teams they have beat during the last two tournaments, but the fact is that they just keeping getting it done. Coach Brad Stevens is 8-3 in the NCAA tournament, and Butler is going to be a tough out going forward.
2011 Sweet 16 Southeast Region Team in the Most Trouble
BYU: It’s the same old story for BYU. The team lives and dies with Jimmer Fredette, and as long as he gets an efficient 30 points, his team has a chance. However, the fact that the Cougars still haven’t faced an elite team from a top conference can’t be overlooked. Fredette and company are hanging their hats on a pair of wins against a San Diego State team that needed double overtime to defeat Temple to reach the Sweet 16. The Cougars caught a break with Gonzaga knocking of St. John’s, but the Gators have athletes galore. From here on out, Fredette will find his shots a lot tougher to come by, and that is bad news for BYU.
2011 NCAA Tournament Betting Odds Championship – Southeast Region
Odds to win the 2011 Southeast Region
Wisconsin +165
Florida +205
BYU +345
Butler +485
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