Here is my (mostly objective/slightly subjective) ranking of Sweet 16 games from most anticipated to least anticipated. The main factors considered were: the possibility of an upset, likelihood of a close game, and the existence of other story lines that enhance the appeal of a particular game. At the end of the round, I will create a second list and which ranks each of these games after they are played.
| 1 | (8) Loyola Chicago vs. (12) Oregon State- Sat 2:40 (CBS): Bakers Life Fieldhouse– The Cinderella battle of the century! Hard to believe one of these teams will play for a spot in the Final Four next Monday night. |
| 2 | (3) Arkansas vs. (15) Oral Roberts- Sat 7:25 (TBS): Bankers Life Fieldhouse– Will the Golden Eagles magical ride continue or will it come crashing down? You got to like the fact Oral Roberts led the game by 10 at half when the two teams played earlier this season. |
| 3 | (2) Houston vs. (11) Syracuse- Sat. 9:55 (TBS): Hinkle Fieldhouse- I am kinda stunned that Houston is a heavy favorite in this game. I think the Cuse are playing better than the Cougars right now and can beat them as long as they can keep Houston off the offensive boards. |
| 4 | (6) Southern Cal vs. (7) Oregon- Sun 9:45 (TBS): Bankers Life Fieldhouse– the surprise Pac-12 battle of the century! Both of these teams played shockingly well in their second round games. |
| 5 | (1) Michigan vs. (4) Florida State- Sun 5:00 (CBS): Bankers Life Fieldhouse– this should be a classic that comes right down to the wire |
| 6 | (2) Alabama vs. (11) UCLA- Sun 7:15 (TBS): Hinkle Fieldhouse– this game matches two contrasting styles of play as UCLA’s slow down game could give the Tide fits |
| 7 | (1) Gonzaga vs. (5) Creighton- Sun 2:10 (CBS): Hinkle Fieldhouse– don’t think the Zags lose this one but they are going to get a legitimate scare before they arrive in the title game. |
| 8 | (1) Baylor vs. (5) Villanova- Sat 5:15 (CBS): Hinkle Fieldhouse– The Bears put the Badgers away early in their second round game on Sunday, and I could see them doing the same thing to this undermanned Villanova squad. |
Ramblings of the Ultimate Sports Sentimentalist 