After the underdogs and Cinderellas had their way in the early round, the Sweet 16 will belong to the favorites. Here are my predictions. For the record I am going with the higher seed in all eight games and the favorite to cover in six of eight contests.

THURSDAY
Kentucky 80, Cornell 68
West Virginia 71, Washington 64
Kansas State 75, Xavier 69
Syracuse 81, Butler 68

FRIDAY
Michigan State 63, Northern Iowa 60
Ohio State 68, Tennessee 66
Baylor 82, St. Mary’s 74
Duke 70, Purdue 61