Top Storylines for the Sweet 16: Big Ten Edition

Published: 19^th Mar 12 11:35 am

by Adam McGill
adammcgill

RANT It!

Top Storylines for the Sweet 16: Big Ten Edition

Mike Carter-US PRESSWIRE

Adam McGill

With the Sweet 16 already here, this is the perfect time to look at some lingering questions regarding the Big Ten Conference. Below are my top storylines in the Big Ten Conference for the NCAA Sweet 16:

1. Is 2012 Another Cinderella Story for Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans?

The last time Michigan State was able to win the Big Ten Tournament was in 2000, when they also went on to win the National championship. The Spartans are one of the number one seeds that are still not being really talked about, but they could end up shocking some people.

2. Why Wisconsin will beat the #1 ranked Syracuse Orange in the Sweet Sixteen.

Cuse has looked surprisingly decent without star forward, Fab Melo, who was forced to set out the NCAA tournament due to academic ineligibility. The team has been able to survive without him, as James Southerland and Dion Waiters have been putting up decent numbers in his stead. However, this can only work for so long and it is only a matter of time until Cuse meets a team that is too physical in the paint.

That team appears to be the Wisconsin Badgers. They are extremely disciplined with the ball and their defense always holds opposing team to under 60 points. Wisconsin’s interior game is led by forwards Mike Bruesewitz and Jared Berggren, which will stifle Cuse’s Kris Joesph all game. “KoJo” has struggled without the inside presence that Melo brings, so without their leading rebounder, Wisconsin definitely gets the inside matchup. They are both strong outside shooters, so this game will be won in the paint.

3. Can Aaron Craft continue to average 17 points and 10 assists per game?

The Buckeyes were carried last game by a rosy-cheeked kid from Findlay, OH. Craft is one of the most humble players in the nation, and the sophomore posted 17 points, 10 assists, and a 77.8% field goal percentage in a career game on Sunday. Craft entered the game as the team’s fourth leading scorer, but quickly took it over. It is unlikely that he will continue to average those numbers, but his strong performance will certainly give forward, Jared Sullinger, more room to work underneath.

4. The Maturation of Draymond Green.

Green has grown up right in front of our very eyes this year. The senior made history in the tournament by posting a triple-double on Sunday (24 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists), joining the elite company of Magic Johnson and Oscar Robinson. Green is the most explosive scorer left in the tourney and he is an absolute matchup nightmare from the small forward position. He is extremely versatile as well, with seven games this season with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Michigan State will only go as far as their Player of the Year Candidate takes them.

5. Does Ohio State have the depth to compete in the National Championship?

Ohio State has a better chance to reach the final four then any other team that is not a number one seed. The Buckeyes play a tough Gonzaga team, but if they can survive the seven seed, then they have a good shot to keep going. OSU could end up playing either the one-seeded Syracuse Orange, who will be playing without their best defense presence, Fab Melo or Wisconsin who the Buckeyes have already beaten once this year. Either way Ohio State has a favorable road to the final four and should be a team to watch from here on out.