This week in the college basketball world there were two undefeated teams left, Ohio State University, a big sport school, and San Diego State University. I know what you might be asking, “San Diego State, is that a mistake?” However, their head coach Steve Fisher had the team sitting at 20-0 and ranked fourth in the nation.

Last night, San Diego State had a big game at ninth ranked Brigham Young University, and came up short 71-58. It was a tough loss against a tough opponent, and it just adds to the madness that is college basketball. Could SDSU or BYU be this season’s Butler? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

We started at 347 teams, selected 65; they played down to the Final Four where now we’re down to two with one team to eliminate.
Duke and Butler play for the national championship tonight in men’s college basketball.

Storyline: It’s a David vs. Goliath matchup no doubt, but Butler is no Cinderella story, they’re a perennial ‘mid-major’ power and haven’t lost since December 22nd. Duke is the preverbal road team with Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis being just a few miles from Butler University’s campus.

Matchups: If Butler forward/center Matt Howard, a game time decision, isn’t able to play it will be even more difficult for the Bulldogs to keep Duke’s big, physical front court off the boards. Offensive rebounds will be key in this game, if Duke gets them – they win. Butler’s offense will need more production than it got against Michigan State in the semifinal game, 52 points will not be enough against the Blue Devils.

Prediction: There’s a reason Butler only 31% against Michigan State, and it wasn’t the Spartans defense. The Bulldogs haven’t shot the ball well since their first round game against UTEP. Duke is the most efficient offensive team in the country and they put on a clinic against West Virginia. I think the Blue Devils lead most of the game, Butler tries to make a run but Duke salts away the game with free throws. Duke wins, 68-60.

The Sweet 16 kicks off tonight with four games on the schedule, let’s take a look at the matchups.

1 Syracuse vs. 5 Butler
This game will be very interesting to watch because the ‘Cuse play a unique 2-3 zone that is hard to score against, while Butler shoots the ball well from beyond the arc and has big men with good footwork and post moves, but they lack size. That’s why the Orange take over, Syracuse is much bigger than the Bulldogs as well as much more athletic.

Pick: Syracuse (but I think Butler holds their own)

2 Kansas State vs. 6 Xavier
These two teams have already met once earlier this season, Kansas State won by 15. However, Xavier is different team now; Jordan Crawford (the infamous man who dunked on LeBron James) is proving he can carry this Musketeer team on his shoulders. The Wildcats have look really good thus far in this tournament, they’re playing extremely hard. Both teams want to out to out-tough their opponents, who will come out on top?

Pick: Kansas State

2 West Virginia vs. 11 Washington
Washington continues to ride the wave of their Pac-10 tournament title, Quincy Pondexter is an excellent player, they absolutely mopped this floor with New Mexico. The Mountaineers loss of point guard Darryl Bryant is a little concerning but as big a deal as some might think.

Pick: West Virginia

1 Kentucky vs. 12 Cornell
This is a true David vs. Goliath matchup, the Wildcats have freshman who are future pros – John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe – while Cornell has eight seniors, most of which will not be playing ball after college. Kentucky’s athleticism against Cornell’s shooters will be fun to watch.

Pick: Cornell (brains over brawn)

Number One Seed: Kansas has locked up a number one seed in the NCAA tournament, maybe the number one overall seed, winning the conference tournament would assure that. The Jayhawks are just looking to tune up before the NCAAs.

Bubble Teams: None.

Dark Horse: Baylor.