Sweet 16 Preview: East Region

Ok, so my picks for the first two rounds haven't exactly been lighting the world on fire, and I cost Bogart $100 with my UCLA/Texas A&M pick. That doesn't mean I'm not still smart. It's not my fault, blame Notre Dame and looking Harangody for not showing up, USC and Arizona for actually being really crappy after tricking me into believing in them, and Marquette and Pitt for choking away games they should have had in the bag. Remember, I picked Siena over Vanderbilt.

Here is your DWG East Region preview, with the other regions yet to come.

North Carolina -7.5 vs. Washington State: Maybe the two most impressive teams in the tournament so far, as neither one has gotten anywhere near a close game. The most impressive win out of these two was Washington State's thorough ass kicking of Notre Dame, holding them to under 25% shooting. A great clash here of offense vs. defense, as the Tarheels have scored 113 and 108 while shooting 61% and 68% while the Cougars have held teams to 40 and 41 and forced 31% and 25% shooting. An old adage says good defense beats good offense and good pitching beats good hitting, but that's football and baseball. I don't see WSU having the athletes or the scheme to hang with the Tarheels. Sure they were able to squash Harangody and the Irish, but there like a poor man's poor man's North Carolina. Go ahead and take away Hansbrough, which may be impossible, the Heels have plenty of other weapons, and play good defense as well. Throw in the fact that the game is in Carolina, and the Heels are the pick to win and cover.

Louisville -2.5 vs. Tennessee: A little surprised to see the Cardinals favored here, with the Vols being the higher seed and all, but I suppose after rolling over Boise State and Oklahoma by 18 and 30 they have to be included as one of the hottest teams in the tournament as well - man, the East Region is stacked. Tennessee has struggled a bit, having problems with American before winning by fifteen and slipping past Butler in overtime, but you can't discount how good they were all year. And don't forget, Butler may have been a seven seed, but they were probably good enough to be a 3 or 4, so that's still a great win. I just don't see how the Vols deal with the size and depth of the Cardinals, too weaknesses of Tennessee. Still, the speed, athleticism, and guard play of the Vols could carry the day. One thing is for sure, this is going to be a great game. It's tempting to take the points, as this one could go down to the wire, but I think the Cardinals take it, and cover in the end.