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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March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (35) and guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (0) react during the 69-60 victory against the Saint Mary’s Gaels 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 — Xavier (11) vs. Arizona (2)

If you’re Xavier, getting to the Sweet 16 this season should come as no surprise. The Musketeers began the year as a Top 25 team and it looks like, at one point, they would be a Final Four contender. That is coming to fruition now after beating Maryland in the first round and then demolishing No. 3 Florida State in the round of 32.

The No. 11 seed will take on the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats who have been gradually improving all season long. The Wildcats scored 100 points in a first-round win over North Dakota and then followed that up with a grind-it-out victory over Saint Mary’s. This team is a popular pick to make it to the Final Four from the West.

Arizona’s offense is slightly more explosive than Xavier’s and that will be the difference in this one. While Trevon Bluiett is one of the most underrated players in the country and will have a monster game with 25 points, I think the Wildcats will just have too much firepower for the Musketeers to overcome.

Next: West Virginia's improved offense foretells its potential Sweet 16 redemption

Sean Miller’s team will get tested early on and take a two-point lead into the half before coming out in the final 20 minutes red-hot. Lauri Markkanen is going to give Xavier fits as its cinderella run comes to an end.

Final: Xavier 73, Arizona 83

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