1 SYRACUSE vs. 4 BUTLER
Butler advanced to the round of 16 by knocking out potential Cinderellas UTEP and Murray State. Now they face a Syracuse team that eviscerated Gonzaga. The Orange have been dominant in the NCAAs, despite the loss of starting center Arinze Onuaku. Head coach Jim Boeheim isn't optimistic that Onuaku will play in the Regional Semifinals. Still, it's going to take a monumental effort for the Bulldogs to stay with Syracuse.
Wesley Johnson and the 'Cuse have looked like a No. 1 seed so far.
WINNER: 1 SYRACUSE
2 KANSAS ST. vs. 6 XAVIER
For all the talk about Gonzaga and Butler busting up brackets each March, there is very little mention of the best team from outside the Power Six conferences. Xavier has reached the Sweet 16 in each of the past three seasons, including an Elite Eight trip in 2008. The Musketeers are led by 6-4 guard Jordan Crawford. Crawford is an Indiana transfer whose claim to fame before the tournament had been his much-publicized dunk over LeBron James. Now, Crawford is the go-to guy on an improving Xavier team that has become a March staple. The Musketeers are the more experienced team, and may have the best player in Crawford, but K-State has an outstanding backcourt combo in Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen. The Wildcats will be a tough out in the West.
WINNER: 6 XAVIER
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