South Region Sweet 16 Game Breakdowns
#5 Kentucky vs. #9 Kansas State
Kentucky is the highest seed heading to Atlanta after cruising past Buffalo 95-75. It is the first time that no 1, 2, 3 or 4 seed has reached the Sweet Sixteen. Kansas State ended UMBC’s historic NCAA Tournament. The Retrievers played a similar type of game as they did against Virginia, but Kansas State was able to defend a little better and hit more of their shots inside the arc.
Kansas State will need to hit some outside shots though if they are going to beat Kentucky. Going 1-of-12 again from beyond the arc is not going to cut it against the Wildcats. The other problem area for Kansas State has been on the glass. Kentucky will likely dominate on the glass and Kansas State must make up for it in other areas, most notably the turnover margin.
#7 Nevada vs. #11 Loyola (IL)
This game matches up two teams who won thrillers to reach the NCAA Tournament. Nevada was down 22 points against Cincinnati and came back to win 75-73. They were also down 14 to Texas in the first round and came back. Loyola beat Tennessee on a Clayton Custer shot with 3.6 seconds left. The Ramblers got a big game out of Aundre Jackson off the bench, pacing the Loyola offense with 16 points.
Nevada cannot afford to get too far behind against Loyola. The Ramblers play great defense and are a very efficient offense. Both teams have a ton of momentum and one of them will get a chance of a lifetime to play for a trip to the Final Four. Nevada has the size and the experience and their ability to take care of the ball could make all the difference. The Wolf Pack average just over ten turnovers per game and committed just two against the Bearcats. If they can do that again, Nevada will be in the Elite Eight.
