2013 Sweet 16 Picks and Predictions: Midwest Region Odds and Free Picks – NCAA Tournament Betting: When the NCAA Bracket was released on Selection Sunday, the Midwest Region was immediately looked at as the toughest of the four. Well, the region has lived up to the hype as the top three seeds have all advanced to the Sweet 16, including the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed. Of course, the region does have one Cinderella in the form of 12th-seeded Oregon, but I think even the selection committee would admit at this point that it underseeded the Pac-12 Tournament champion Ducks. Underseeded or not, the Ducks are one of four teams left in a loaded region, and whichever team advances to the Final Four in Atlanta is going to have to earn it.
2013 Sweet 16 Midwest Region Matchup Previews
No. 12 Oregon vs. No. 1 Louisville: Although Oregon has been an underdog and Louisville a favorite thus far, both teams have been impressive in getting to the Sweet 16 and dominant on both ends of the court. As the No. 1 overall seed, the Cardinals will obviously be favored once again, but it has also become obvious that the selection committee may have underestimated the Pac-12 Tournament champion Ducks. With no shortage of senior leadership on either side, this matchup promises to be a lot more intense than the seeding of the two teams suggests.
The battle on the perimeter and in the post will be crucial in this matchup. For the Ducks, containing Louisville’s explosive backcourt of Peyton Siva and Russ Smith and keeping both out of the lane is a must. On the flip side, the Cardinals will have to close out on Oregon’s perimeter shooters, especially E.J. Singler and Damyean Dotson. In the paint, the head-to-head showdown between Louisville’s Gorgui Dieng and Oregon’s Arsalan Kazemi could go a long way to tipping the scales one way or the other depending on which player does a better job protecting the rim and controlling the glass.
In the end, Louisville has the personnel to take away what has been fueling Oregon’s run. The Cardinals have the athletic defenders on the perimeter to take away the 3-point arc from the Ducks. More importantly, Dieng, Chane Behanan and the other Louisville post players will be able to keep Kazemi and company off the offensive glass. Meanwhile, Siva and Smith give the Cardinals the two best individual playmakers on the court. Add it up, and Louisville will be able to take away Oregon’s easy scoring opportunities while generating enough offense of its own to advance on the Elite Eight.
2012 Sweet 16 Midwest Region Projected Winner: Louisville
No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2 Duke: Two of the most dominant programs in college basketball today and two of the most decorated coaches will go toe to toe in this Sweet 16 matchup. Michigan State’s Tom Izzo has six Final Four appearances, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski has 11, and only one of them is going to have a shot at adding to their total after Friday’s game. Both teams played tough schedules during the course of the year, and both are familiar with playing in and winning big games. Plain and simple, this is going to be a battle of college basketball powerhouses, and it is going to be intense.
This game is also going to be a clash of styles. Michigan State is going to try to pound the ball inside on the offensive end with its big frontcourt of Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix. Meanwhile, Duke is going to try to spread out the Spartans with Seth Curry, Ryan Kelly and the rest of its perimeter weapons. Both teams have distinct strengths, but the team that comes out on top will likely be the one the best hides its weaknesses. If Duke center Mason Plumlee can hold his own on defense and on the glass against the Spartans’ twin towers, the Blue Devils are going to be in good shape. On the flip side, Michigan State should be in the driver’s seat if guards Gary Harris and Keith Appling can force the Duke shooters into taking mainly contested perimeter shots.
In the end, Michigan State’s size inside and attention to detail on the defensive end could rule the day. Yes, Duke has more offensive firepower, but the Blue Devils have also struggled a bit against teams with a lot of size inside, losing twice to Alex Len and Maryland and once to C.J. Leslie and North Carolina State. The Spartans have two big bodies inside to throw the ball to, and more importantly, they make it a point to pound the ball inside as much as possible. Plumlee is really the only Duke big man that is a true post player, and he can only do so much. The Spartans will slow the pace, grind things out and ride their defense to a big win.
2013 Sweet 16 Midwest Region Projected Winner: Michigan State
2013 Sweet 16 Midwest Region Favorite to Make the Final Four
Louisville: With so many great teams stuffed into one region, matchups are going to play a huge factor. Louisville’s improved offense certainly helps, but it is a stingy defense that gives the Cardinals the ability to compete and beat any opponent. This team has speedy defenders on the perimeter to defend hot shooting teams like Oregon and Duke and the big bodies inside to pound away with a physical Michigan State team. The Cardinals’ ability to impose their defensive will regardless of the opponent is what has made this a special team, and it is the reason Rick Pitino’s bunch will return to the Final Four. The Cardinals are as balanced as they have been in quite a while, and they have the pieces in place to survive the brutal Midwest Region.
Odds to win the Midwest Region
8129 Duke +250
8131 Louisville -135
8133 Michigan State +350
8139 Oregon +1200
Stop by NSAwins.com daily throughout the NCAA Basketball season for daily Free College Basketball Predictions and Vegas College Basketball Odds plus daily updated Men’s 2013 National Championship Betting Odds.
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on 2013 March Madness Odds Now! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN GT Bets Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get EXCLUSIVE 100% BONUS upto $500 FREE added to your GT Bets Account Funds. |