2016 Sweet 16 East Region Predictions and Free Picks – NCAA Tournament Predictions

2016 Sweet 16 East Region Predictions and Free Picks – NCAA Tournament Predictions: Coming into the NCAA Tournament, the East Region projected to be one of the toughest and deepest. Not surprisingly, there were several upsets and thrilling finishes along the way. Top-seeded North Carolina survived the mayhem to reach the Sweet 16, but the were the only one of the top four seeds to advance past the first weekend of the 2016 NCAA Tournament. Third-seeded West Virginia bowed out in the opening round, and fourth-seeded Kentucky and second-seeded Xavier followed suit in the Round of 32. With so many underdogs still alive in the East Region, it is fair to wonder if the the top-seeded Tar Heels are actually the underdogs in all of this.

2016 Sweet 16 East Region Matchup Previews

No. 5 Indiana vs. No. 1 North Carolina: The Tarheels are one of the most talented teams in the country, and they are facing one of the hottest squads around in the Hoosiers. Both teams can light it up offensively, and while North Carolina has an edge in size and athleticism, the Hoosiers have an edge in outside shooting. Both sides have dynamic point guards, as well, and the matchup between North Carolina’s Marcus Paige and Indiana’s Yogi Ferrell should be fun to watch.

While the point guard battle could be a wash, there is no doubt that Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks give the Tar Heels a sizeable advantage in the paint and on the glass. Yes, the Hoosiers can stretch the floor with their outside shooting, but they are going to have their hands full on trying to stop North Carolina from getting quality looks in the post.

In the end, Indiana has too much offensive firepower to go down quietly, but North Carolina has too much size to not come out on top. The Hoosiers aren’t likely to get many second chances with the Tar Heels cleaning the glass, and they aren’t likely to get many easy looks at the rim because of the length of North Carolina. It is hard for any team to survive solely on the 3-point shot.

Projected Winner: Duke Blue Devils

No. 6 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 Wisconsin: If like teams that just refuse to lose and find ways to win, this is the matchup for you. The Fighting Irish pulled out a close one against Michigan in the opening round, and they needed a miracle tip-in at the buzzer to sneak by Stephen F. Austin 76-75. The Badgers grinded out an ugly 47-43 win over Pittsburgh in the first round, and they hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer as time expired to oust second-seeded Xavier in the Round of 32.

Both sides have solid inside-outside combos, with Notre Dame guard Demetrius Jackson and forward Zach Auguste facing off against Wisconsin guard Bronson Koenig and forward Nigel Hayes. Notre Dame’s duo has the edge in athleticism, but Wisconsin’s pair has the edge in experience and is proven in the clutch.

Wisconsin’s style can be boring, but the Badgers are always able to control the tempo, and they don’t make many mistakes. It allows them to always have a chance no matter the opponent, but it also keeps them in close games on a routine basis. Needless to say, this game is likely going to come down to the wire, and Jackson’s ability to use his athleticism to create his own shot is going to be crucial. Look for the Fighting Irish to make one or two more big plays and squeak out a win.

Projected Winner: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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