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NCAA Tournament 2017: Predicting the Sweet 16

By Connor Muldowney

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
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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March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Killian Tillie (33) reacts during the 79-79 victory against the Northwestern Wildcats in the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Killian Tillie (33) reacts during the 79-79 victory against the Northwestern Wildcats in the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

West Region — Gonzaga (1) vs. West Virginia (4)

Everyone thought Gonzaga was the weakest of the No. 1 seeds, but the Bulldogs are one of three left in the Sweet 16. They zoomed past South Dakota State in the first round after a sluggish start to the game and then took on a Northwestern team that was in its first ever NCAA Tournament. Gonzaga led big at halftime, but Northwestern made it close before the Bulldogs put the game away for good.

West Virginia was matched up with No. 13 seed Bucknell in round one and it seemed like a contest that may surprise some people. The Mountaineers won by just six points, moving on to face No. 5 seed Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish were ice-cold from the floor, allowing West Virginia to run away with a big win and punch its ticket to the Sweet 16.

If you’ve slept on Gonzaga, you’re not alone. The Bulldogs play in a mediocre conference but finished the year with just one loss. Mark Few has built the program into a perennial contender. However, their first two wins weren’t all that impressive.

Conversely, the Mountaineers have been Big 12 battle-tested all season long and just took down one of the top teams from the ACC rather easily. They’re going to have the momentum coming into this one and if they can contain Przemek Karnowski in the post, they will come out on top — and that’s exactly what I think will happen.

Final: Gonzaga 68, West Virginia 72

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