Sweet 16 picks for College Hoops Pick'em

What a great first two rounds it has been!  There have been some incredible upsets, and if you've picked the upsets correctly, you've been rewarded handsomely.  We had a great second round which propelled us to only 7 points behind the leader and a rank of 52.  We're in a great position to win it.  Here are our picks for the sweet sixteen round.  You can also get a second opinion by visiting Jim Lee's write-ups in the James Lee Sports Report.

1. Miami Hurricanes
• Miami is favored by 5 in this game.  Miami will be without their powerful center, Reggie Johnson, so they could be vulnerable against Marquette's inside game.  They will still have their star shot-blocker Gambi though, and with a smaller lineup, should be able to run and control the tempo, forcing Marquette out of their half-court offensive sets.  If Miami gets a lead early, it will be especially hard for Marquette to come back, since they aren't terrific shooters from long range.
• Confidence: 80%
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
• A great match-up in this game, if we get it, will be Mark Lyons vs Aaron Craft.  One is a terrific scorer and loves to get in the lane and score.  The other is known for his defense, especially on-ball defending.  Both of these teams are playing well at the end of the season, and this should be a great game.  Ohio State is favored by 4 and should have the strength and finesse to be victorious.  They have lots of experience in close-game situations, should it come to that.  An interesting stat for this game:  Ohio State and Arizona have never met in the NCAA tournament.
• Confidence: 90%
3. Syracuse Orange
• Indiana is favored by 6 in this game, but I'm not buying into the line on this one.  Syracuse's 2-3  zone defense will be tough for Indiana I think.  They have never seen it before, and they can be very sloppy with their passes at times.  Indiana barely escaped against Temple, and I think they will be the 2nd #1 seed to lose.  Indiana has losses to teams worse than Syracuse this year, and Syracuse is peaking at just the right time.
• Confidence: 70%
4. Wichita State Shockers
• The Shockers are clearly the better team in this match-up.  They are more physical and present a match-up to La Salle that they have not seen before.  They are favored by 4 in this game and in my opinion take this one easily, but will lose to Ohio State in the Elite Eight.
• Confidence: 90%
5. Louisville Cardinals
• The Cardinals are favored by 10 in this game.  They have been dominant and clearly are deserving of the overall #1 seed.  Oregon, you probably shouldn't have gotten a 12 seed and have done well to advance to the sweet 16, but good luck getting past Louisville.  
• Confidence:  100%
6. Kansas
• The Michigan Wolverines have looked so dominant in their first two games of this tournament that it is hard to pick against them.  I think a major reason they did so well in those games was because they were "at home".  They were 17 - 1 at home this season, but just 5 - 5 on the road.  This game is being played in Arlington, Texas, so Kansas will have more of a home-court crowd in attendance.  Kansas is favored by 2, and this should be a close, fun to watch game.  A key to the game will be Michigan's Mitch McGary and how he fares against Withey and Kansas's inside game.
• Confidence: 70%
7. Duke Blue Devils
• I think this is one of the most intriguing of the sweet 16 match-ups.  These teams match up well and have similar strengths.  Both play great defense, both have great post players, and both can shoot the 3 well.  Michigan State should have more of a home-crowd advantage since the game is in Indianapolis, but Duke is favored by 2 and I like them to get a hard-fought win here to advance to the Elite Eight.
• Confidence:  80%
8. Florida Gators
• Everyone is aware of FGCU by now.  These teams have not met during the regular season, but Florida is favored by 10 and are different animal than Georgetown and San Diego State.  Florida has the better road record, and the teams' ability to travel may play a role in this game since it is in Arlington, Texas.  
• Confidence: 80%