<\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSan Diego State Aztecs vs UConn Huskies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a rematch of last year\u2019s final. UConn won that game by quite a bit. But, we\u2019ve got a nearly completely different roster for both teams in this year\u2019s edition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though I do believe that UConn is still the better side, this game should be much closer than that one. UConn has blown out both the teams they\u2019ve faced so far and San Diego State blew out Yale in the last round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve got UConn advancing but if they play it right, the Aztecs could shock a lot of people here and I wouldn\u2019t be surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n
Alabama Crimson Tide vs North Carolina Tar Heels<\/h2>\n
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After barely hanging on against Grand Canyon in an epic battle, Mark Sears and Alabama look to break even more hearts on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Although they haven\u2019t really so far in this tournament, UNC has looked vulnerable at times this year. Defense has been their issue and Alabama is one of the best at playing fast in the country.<\/p>\n
That could be troublesome for a UNC team that is used to playing fast, but not nearly as fast as the Crimson Tide.<\/p>\n
Therefore, I could see this game going either way. If I had to pick one though, I\u2019d probably still lean the way of the #1 seed.<\/p>\n
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Illinois Fighting Illini vs Iowa State Cyclones<\/h2>\n
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One of the most intriguing Sweet Sixteen matchups finishes off an excellent Thursday of games. Illinois has a few guys that can really score the ball on offense like Terrrance Shannon Jr and Marcus Domask.<\/p>\n
However, ISU has one of the best defenses in all of college basketball, & it\u2019s shown especially in recent games. The Cyclones have allowed 65 points or less in ten consecutive games now.<\/p>\n
However, Iowa State struggles on the offensive side at times. According to KenPom, Illinois is the #1 ranked offensive efficiency team in the country.<\/p>\n
Though I don\u2019t think their defense is good enough to win the championship, I do like Illinois to get through to the elite eight here if I had to pick a team.<\/p>\n
NC State Wolfpack vs Marquette Golden Eagles<\/h2>\n
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NC State enters the Sweet Sixteen as the last double digit remaining. They haven\u2019t had to win much though, having beaten Texas Tech (#6) and then Oakland (#14) to get here.<\/p>\n
Marquette\u2019s offense looked better than ever against Colorado and should be able to roll again in this game against an NC State team that relies heavily on DJ Horne and DJ Burns.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve got Marquette moving on out of this matchup.<\/p>\n
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Purdue Boilermakers<\/h2>\n
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Gonzaga played Purdue very tough earlier this season. Although it ended in a 10pt Purdue win, Gonzaga was actually leading by five at halftime.<\/p>\n
That was in Hawaii so nobody had home-court advantage in that game and no one will as well in this game with it being played in Detroit.<\/p>\n
Purdue lost last year in the first round against a #16 seed. This year they play with that motivation. Zach Edey is a monster and I don\u2019t think Gonzaga will be able to stop him quite yet.<\/p>\n
![\"Arizona](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/N0KQiPdDmsM\/maxresdefault.jpg\")