Capping the Sweet Sixteen

After one weekend, here are the most impressive/dangerous teams of the tourney:

1. North Carolina - Is there any doubt? Absolutely steamrolled Arkansas, and showed an amazing ability to control tempo. There are going to need to in order to handle the stifling defense of a very underrated Washington St. squad.

2. Louisville - What a shame they will have to meet the Tar Heels shy of the Final Four. A team with absolute national champion-talent, as evidenced by the controlling domination of a solid Oklahoma squad.

3. Kansas - Yet to be challenged in the Big tourney, rolled through the Big 12 Tourney as well. If Self can stay out of the way, it seems unlikely this team will be stopped short of San Antonio

4. Washington St. - The most anonymous, dangerous team in the tourney. Unfortunatly for them UNC sits on deck. Their scrambling, trapping defense and ability to control tempo held Notre Dame to 41 points Saturday.

5. Wisconsin - The best team in the country that no one os talking about. Handled K-St. and Beasley from the opening tip and cruised into the Sweet 16. The looming match-up with Kansas could be a classic.

6. Xavier - Two solid victories over GA and Purdue. This senior-laden team plays aggressive man to man defense and switches on perimeter ball screens better than any team in the field. They have the versatile bigs to run waves of defenders at Joe Alexander on Thursday.

7. West Virginia - Speaking of Joe Alexander, he and the Mountaineers took it TO the Dookies Saturday. Their agressive, fearless, tenacious style makes for one of the most interesting Sweet 16 matchups that is flying under the radar.

8. UCLA - I know. A&M had them on the ropes. But yet, again, UCLA found a way to pull it out. Collinson and Love are fearless in the clutch and if worse comes to worse they can make the game winner from behind the backboard.

9. Michigan St. - Perhaps a fortunate recipient of the annual Pitt gift-wrapping victory, but no question Neitzel took over that game late and didn't let go.

10. Davidson - Perhaps the run is over after Wisconsin, but has any team brought more excitement and joy to the tourney than the Davidson Wildcats?

11. Texas - The game against Miami wasn't nearly as close of the score, with the Longhorns controlling the game throughout, but the foul foul-shooting is cause for concern

12. Memphis - Speaking of FOUL. Wow. Anyone who sincerely thinks Memphis can win a national title needs only to watch the last two minutes of the Mississippi St. game. You cannot win three or four games in a row holding on for deal life. Sooner or later, it catches up with you. My guess is against Stanford Sunday night.