Let's Look Ahead

Originally Published: Mar 22, 2010 10:28 PM CDT

11 conferences are represented in a melting pot of a Sweet 16.  While youre enjoying the NIT this week (Im hoping for a North Carolina-Connecticut final) ponder the three games I gotta see this weekend

Northern Iowa vs. Michigan State:  My brackets busted.  Might as well root for the team that did it.  Ali Farokhmanesh and the boys from Northern Iowa are the darlings of the dance.  Im a huge Tom Izzo fan. But with Kalin Lucas done with a torn Achilles, Michigan State is prime to be the Panthers next upset victim.  Sparty gets sent packin

Kentucky vs. Cornell:  With Kansas laying an egg, Kentucky is the best team left in the tournament.  But Cornell is the best shooting team left in the tournament.  The game is an athletic mismatch like me vs. LeBron James, but even the King has off nights.  Still Blue Grass beats Big Red.

Kansas State vs. Xavier:   Two teams tougher than winning a staredown with Frank Martin.  Xavier is in the Sweet 16 for the third straight season.  K-State is there for the first time since 1988.  I love the Cats defense and guard play, but Xs Jordan Crawford is a tough guard for anyone.  Still, Im taking purple power.