2014 March Madness: Midwest Region Predictions
By TJ Ackerman
Mar 8, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with the referee against the Florida Gators during the second half at Stephen C. O
SWEET SIXTEEN (REGION SEMIFINALS)
(4) Louisville Cardinals vs. (8) Kentucky Wildcats
Undercard: Rick Pitino vs. John Calipari
Friday, March 28th
Analysis: This is one of the very few cases in which the undercard may actually be more exciting/intriguing than the main event. In a battle of two of the more snake-like coaches in college sports, Pitino matches his “sex at an Applebee’s scandal” against Calipari’s laundry list of NCAA violations. Throw morals out the window and let’s get ready to rumble! Louisville avenges a loss from earlier in the season to advance to the Elite Eight.
(2) Michigan Wolverines vs. (3) Duke Blue Devils
Friday, March 28th
Analysis: Duke won the only meeting between these two teams this season 79-69 at Cameron Indoor. Duke’s defense was the game changer, forcing Michigan to start the game 4-21 from the field. Nik Stauskas was held to just four points and even lost his shoe to the Cameron Crazies:
Nate Silver of fivethirtyeight.com gives Duke the slight edge to advance (43% to 37%) and the absence of Mitch McGary (he had a double-double in the first meeting) will weigh on the Wolverines. Defense will be key in this matchup of the #2 and #3 offenses, but Duke prevails to punch their ticket to the Elite Eight.
Click the NEXT button to check out who advances to the Final Four.