2008 Thursday Sweet 16 NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on March 8, 2008

It’s time for the round of 16 so in case you are going head to head with any of your buddies on these matchups, you can use Jimmy Boyd’s 2008 Sweet 16 predictions to take their money. In this article, Jimmy previews each of Thursday’s matchups and then provides you with a straight up winner.

Washington State versus North Carolina:

Washington State is getting the job done on the defensive end. We knew that the Cougars could easily hold down Winthrop, but holding a good Notre Dame offense to just 41 points in truly incredible. UNC hasn’t had any challenge at all, coasting through the first two rounds. As tough as Washington State is defensively, UNC just has too many weapons with Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson and company. With this being basically a home game for the Heels, we like Roy Williams’ crew.

Pick: North Carolina

Louisville versus Tennessee:

This one figures to be everything a number two versus number three seed matchup should be. Chris Lofton has disappeared in the tournament, but luckily for the Vols, Tyler Smith, JaJuan Smith and Wayne Chism have picked up the slack. Lofton must play well for the Vols to have a chance against Pitino’s boys and frankly, he can’t play any worse. I like Lofton to bounce back and finally come up big. Tennessee’s defense has looked very vulnerable and I am not convinced that the Vols are going to be able to deal with Louisville’s full-court pressure on the other side of things.

Pick: You’ll have to get this winner by purchasing a premium picks package.

West Virginia versus Xavier:

A big win over powerhouse Duke sets the Mountaineers up for a letdown against an experienced and physical Xavier squad. Xavier has handled two major conference opponents in Georgia and Purdue to get to the Sweet 16 and the Musketeers will be ready to take down another one. Xavier is 11-2 ATS versus excellent teams – shooting >=45% with a defense of < =42% over the last 2 seasons, 17-8 ATS in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons, and 20-6 ATS after a game with 5 or less offensive rebounds since 1997. Xavier is clearly being undervalued here because it is a mid-major, despite its selection as a 3-seed. Take the Musketeers to move on into the Elite.

Pick: Xavier

Western Kentucky versus UCLA:

The Bruins did get one heck of a scare against Texas A&M, but don't expect Western Kentucky's Cinderella run to continue. With that being said, the Hilltoppers will hold nothing back as they have the dangerous motivation of nothing-to-lose on their side. When it's all said and done, the Bruins have too much experience and the Hilltoppers will have no answer for Kevin Love.

Pick: UCLA

Jimmy Boyd's NCAA Basketball picks are second to none in the handicapping industry. Jimmy has his clients up more money in the month of March with his college basketball betting than any other service out there and he wants to keep it that way. Make sure you sign up for one of Jimmy’s premium picks packages to get all of his against the NCAA basketball spreads Sweet 16 winners.

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