2012 Sweet 16 South Region Vegas Odds, Predictions and Free Picks – NCAA Tournament Betting Preview: Three of the top-four seeds in the Midwest Region of the NCAA tournament are still alive, including the top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats. As a result, there are several legitimate contenders to make the Final Four, and there should be some excellent action in both the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games in the region. In fact, the team that eventually emerges from the group could make a serious run at a national title.
2012 Sweet 16 South Region Matchup Previews
No. 4 Indiana vs. No. 1 Kentucky: Two of the most storied programs in college basketball go toe to toe in this one. The Wildcats are the more athletic and more talented group, but the Hoosiers did knock off Kentucky in Assembly Hall on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer earlier this year. The Wildcats are a very young team, and there is something to be said about the mental factor. Kentucky has lost just twice all season, and having to face on of the teams that defeated them could cause some nervousness.
A pair of star freshman will be on display in this matchup, as well. With his evolving offensive game and dominance on the defensive end, Kentucky’s Anthony Davis could end up winning the Wooden Award. However, Indiana’s Cody Zeller could have the bigger impact in this game. When Zeller plays well, the Hoosiers’ offense reaches another level. When he struggles, the Hoosiers have lost a majority of the time. The bottom line is that Kentucky can win without getting an outstanding performance from Davis, but Indiana can’t win without a big game from Zeller.
The Hoosiers had a several marquee wins this year, but they all came in front of their home fans. Indiana just wasn’t the same team on the road or even at neutral sites. Zeller and company are the best group Indiana has had in a quite some time, but they are still growing up. Granted, the Wildcats are mostly freshmen and sophomores, as well, but they have already shown they can win in tough environments. It will be close, but Kentucky will be motivated, not intimidated in this rematch.
2012 Sweet 16 South Region Projected Winner: Kentucky
No. 10 Xavier vs. No. 3 Baylor: With Duke out of the picture, Xavier’s path to the Sweet 16 got a lot easier. However, a meeting with the Bears is going to be a tough test for the Musketeers. Baylor brings balance on the offensive end, with Perry Jones III and Quincy Acy inside and point guard Pierre Jackson on the perimeter. The Bears are big and athletic, and the size and speed combination could spell trouble for Xavier.
That being said, Xavier point guard Tu Holloway could be the equalizer. He has the all-around ability to post triple-doubles on any given night, and the Musketeers will need him to score, rebound and distribute in order to upset Baylor. If Holloway can disrupt Jackson on the defensive end, as well, he could almost single handedly tip the scale in Xavier’s favor.
In the end, Xavier just doesn’t have the size inside to handle the Bears. Acy is a physical player in the paint, and Jones is a future NBA lottery pick. Throw in Jackson’s ability to score and create easy looks for the rest of the Bears, and the Musketeers just don’t have enough firepower to keep up with Baylor. There is a reason Baylor has been ranked in the top 10 nationally almost all year.
2012 Sweet 16 South Region Favorite to Make the Final Four
Baylor: Kentucky may be the No.1 overall seed, but the Bears have the talent and experience to keep pace with the Wildcats. With a leader at the point guard spot, an NBA-caliber star and a physical big man willing to push opponents around and do the dirty work, Baylor has all the ingredients to make a run at a national title. The Bears can score in transition and in the half court, and they can score in the paint and from beyond the arc. Baylor just doesn’t have an glaring weaknesses.
2012 Sweet 16 South Region Projected Winner: Baylor
SOUTH REGION ODDS TO WIN
Kentucky -195
Baylor +360
Indiana +660
Xavier +1550
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