(1) Kentucky Wildcats
There were stretches during the Wildcats’ Round of 32 match up against Iowa State where they looked vulnerable. They were just brief, though, as they outscored the Cyclones 45-26 after the game was tied at 42 with 15 minutes remaining to move onto the Sweet 16. Royce White successfully attacked the Wildcats’ frontline, something that hasn’t happened often this year. As good as he was, Marquis Teague was better at the point for the Wildcats. He dominated the game with 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He missed just four shots and only turned it over twice. Darius Miller and Doron Lamb were also on top of their games, scoring 19 and 16 respectively. The Wildcats really took it to the Cyclones on the boards and held them to 13 percent shooting from beyond the arc. In their rematch against Indiana they’re going to have to defend far better than they did back on December 10 when they lost at the buzzer. They’ll also need more offense than they got from Anthony Davis and Terrence Jones in that game, when they only scored 10 combined.

(4) Indiana Hoosiers
The VCU Rams were determined to get back to the Sweet 16 and actually led the Hoosiers for the majority of the second half. Then, with just 11 seconds remaining, Will Sheehey nailed a midrange jump shot that put the Hoosiers ahead for good at 63-61. The Hoosiers did what they needed to do on the glass, outrebounding the Rams by 13. Cody Zeller grabbed that many himself, while also tying Christian Watford’s gaming-high 16 points. The reason that the game was so close was because the Rams’ defense forced 22 turnovers, really disrupting the Hoosiers and their injury-depleted backcourt. The defensive pressure isn’t going to be any lighter when they face Kentucky in the Sweet 16. While the Hoosiers are the only active team who can say they beat the Wildcats, that was three months ago. The Wildcats are far better than they that day in Bloomington, Indiana. The Hoosiers also played nearly a perfect game in that contest. They may have to be even better to get into the Elite Eight.

HOOPSWORLD’s pick: Kentucky. The improvements in the Wildcats is vast since these two teams last played. Their motivation will also be at an all-time high. Look for them to even the series and advance to the Elite Eight.

Who do you think is going win? Chime in by leaving a comment below!

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