NCAA Tournament 2017: Predicting the Sweet 16

Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) reacts after a three-point basket against the Wichita State Shockers during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks (3) reacts after a play during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

South Region — North Carolina (1) vs. Butler (4)

There’s a reason North Carolina has become the favorite to win the national title with losses to Villanova and Kansas and it’s the endless well of talent on the roster. Texas Southern couldn’t compete with the Tar Heels in round one, but Arkansas made them sweat it out a bit in the second round, taking the Tar Heels down to the wire before a game-clinching 12-0 run.

Butler, on the other hand, was tasked with Winthrop in the first round which turned out to be no issue, but the Bulldogs then had to face the most feared cinderella in the past two seasons in No. 12 Middle Tennessee. The Bulldogs had very little trouble dispatching the Blue Raiders, moving on to the Sweet 16 for the first time since Brad Stevens left.

Facing one of the most explosive teams in the country won’t be easy for the Bulldogs who aren’t exactly a top-tier team when it comes to scoring, defense or rebounding. They’re going to need a big game from junior forward Kelan Martin like the one he had against Middle Tennessee. He will need to be a force down low for the Bulldogs.

However, the Tar Heels are just too strong, fast and deep for the Bulldogs. This one is going to come down to who can create the pace for the game and the Tar Heels are just going to run and gun, finishing with another 80-point performance while Joel Berry II’s ankle looks healthier.

Final: North Carolina 81, Butler 70

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