East Region

-The East Region has many questions surrounding it as the quartet of teams march in to Syracuse trying to survive and make it to Indy, to the 2010 Final Four.

-Some of these questions include:

1. Can West Virginia win without its starting PG Darryl Bryant?
2. Can Cornell keep up their winning ways and make it to the Final Four?
3. Will Washington prove that the west coast was better than most gave it credit for this season.
4. Can a young Kentucky team make it to Indy?

-All of these questions will be answered this weekend, but I am going to make my predictions about them first.

No. 12 seed Cornell vs No. 1 seed Kentucky: I'm not even going to mention Mark Coury, read my post entitled "What's all the Fuss About?" to see what I think about all the hysteria that is Mark Coury, and his connections between Kentucky and Cornell. That fees better! haha. Now to the game, Kentucky will be tested by this half court oriented ball club. Louis Dale and Ryan Wittman come into this game hot! Cornell is shooting over 50 percent from the field, in the tourney, thanks to these two. Kentucky will use their superior, athletic guards: Eric Bledsoe, John Wall to shut these two down. DeMarcus Cousins will try to dominate the post, but will be challenged by 7-footer Jeff Foote inside.

This game has all the variables to be a classic. Look for Cornell to try to limit UK's possessions and try to run the shot clock down every possession. UK on the other hand, will try to get out in transition and try not to have to run a lot of half court sets against the Big Red. If that is the case, the Cats will need to shoot well and when they're missing, rule the offensive glass with Cousins and Patrick Patterson.

Key to the game: Kentucky must get out on the Cornell shooters, in Cornell's losses to Kansas, Syracuse, and Seton Hall they shot right around or a little over 30 percent from 3-point range. I feel like the Cats will do this and pull out a close one!

Predicted Winner: Kentucky

No. 11 seed Washington vs No. 2 seed West Virginia: You know, I had it in my mind yesterday to pick Washington even before the injury to Bryant. Now I have even more reason to stick with my initial pick.

Isiah Thomas and Quincy Pondexter have caused havoc for Marquette and New Mexico in their first two tourney games and I see the same happening in this one. Joe Mazzulla will have to pick up the slack at PG and try to keep one of these guards in front of him, Devin Ebanks will have to do the same with the other.

Two ways I feel West Virginia can win this game: DeSean Butler and Ebanks will have to combine for at least 40 to 45 points and the big men down low will have to hit the offensive glass, if West Virginia can get 10 to 15 offensive boards and slow the game down, they can pound the ball inside to Kevin Jones and Wellington Smith.

What I feel will be their downfall is the relentless pursuit of the Washington offense. However, if the Huskies allow the Mountaineers to hit the glass this upset will not happen. Look for Pondexter and Thomas to have a big game and knock the Mountaineers off!

Predicted Winner: Washington


Until Next Time, Adios!