GETSPORTSRADIO: HOOP SCOOP - We break down the Sweet 16 with XU great Byron Larkin
from CollegeHoops.net:
Xavier - With all top-four seeds advancing, there is not much room for a “Cinderella”, in its purest form. However, the only non-BCS teams remaining in the region would certainly be a sleeper and Cinderella story. Xavier came into the Big Dance struggling somewhat and even I picked them to get upset in the first round by Portland State. However, the Musketeers defeated both the Vikings and upstart Wisconsin en route to a berth in the regional semi-finals. Of course, the balanced Musketeers have not had anyone score more than 15 points and four different players have scored in double-figures. Athletic Derrick Brown and shooter B.J. Raymond are leading the way, but C.J. Anderson and Dante Jackson are also contributing at both ends of the floor. Xavier is getting good bench production, with 20 points each game coming from non-starters. With Pittsburgh’s struggles, Xavier could be poised for the upset if they shoot and rebound well.
Gonzaga - Similar to the East Region, the top four seeds advanced to the regional semi-finals – leaving no true Cinderellas in the region. However, Gonzaga is a non-BCS team that would have to go through vaunted North Carolina to get to the Elite Eight. If that happens, the Bulldogs would be a Cinderella story. Gonzaga is one of the most talented teams in the country, and they do have the weapons and personnel to make a run at the Tar Heels. The Bulldogs struggled for the first 30 minutes against Akron before blowing out the Zips, and then needed a shot with 0.9 seconds remaining by Demetri Goodson to beat Western Kentucky. Matt Bouldin, as usual, has been the leader, averaging 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in two games. Micah Downs has been solid, while Josh Heytvelt had 22 points and eight rebounds against Akron. Austin Daye also scored in double-figures in both games. Jeremy Pargo needs to be more aggressive driving to the basket, especially against UNC’s Ty Lawson.
COMPLETE SWEET 16 BREAKDOWN
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College Hoops
ncaa tournament, sweet 16, cinderellas