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; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) dunks against the Wichita State Shockers during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

South Region — UCLA (3) vs. Kentucky (2)

How did UCLA get here? The Bruins had no issue with Kent State in the first round and then pulled away late against Cincinnati to head to the Sweet 16. This might just be Steve Alford’s best team since taking over at UCLA.

The Bruins will get the SEC’s top team, the Kentucky Wildcats. John Calipari’s team was expected to be dominant this season with a slew of talented freshmen yet again, but it wasn’t quite that imposing. They had a tough time putting away Western Kentucky in the first round and then Wichita State gave them problems in the second round as well.

This will be one of those games that is talked about for weeks and the winner of this matchup is going to give the winner of the North Carolina vs. Butler game some issues. Kentucky and UCLA matched up earlier in the season and the Bruins came out on top with a five-point victory. Will the same happen in this one?

Lonzo Ball may be the top player in the country, but he will be matched up with guys like De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk and both of those guys are explosive scorers. The Bruins do have more than just Ball, like TJ Leaf, Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton and Aaron Holiday, but this game is going to come down to which team can get the most stops and UCLA’s defense is just not good enough.

Monk is going to have a huge game for the Wildcats while Fox will add 15 points and Bam Adebayo will have a nice showing in the post. UCLA won’t go down that easily, though, as Ball will record a triple-double, but a costly turnover late seals the deal. Kentucky gets revenge.

Final: UCLA 82, Kentucky 84

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