FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Starting off with...

1. Xavier-The Musketeers(ranked 11th in the AP Poll) are a looking like a definite Sweet 16 bid. They have gone 14-2 in a very solid conference that includes Dayton, UMass,  and Saint Joseph's, all of which are looking to be marching in a couple weeks. Xavier also has a great nonconference schedule; Indiana, Kent State, Creighton, Kansas State, and Virginia, all have fallen to Xavier. The Musketeers have 5 players averaging double figures in points, and a very reliable bench that puts up around 20 ppg. KEYS TO SUCCESS: Regound, spread the ball around to all players, and HIT FREE THROWS. The Musketeers are a definite Sweet 16 bid in my book.

Then we have...

2. South Alabama-Although they are not in a major conference, the Jaguars are a team to look out for. This 25-5 team has beaten Mississippi State, Western Kentucky twice, and are 16-2 in the Sun Belt. They have been in all their losses, only losing them by 6 points or less. The Jaguars also posted a couple of close losses to Vandy (on the road by 3) and Mississippi (on the road by 3). They have 3 phenomenal guards in Demetric Bennett, Domonic Tilford, and Doan Merritt, all of which average double figures in points. Brandon Davis, one of the Jaguars forwards, puts up 11 ppg and around 6 rpg. Their other great forward, DeAndre Coleman averages nearly 8 points and 8 boards per game. KEYS TO SUCCESS: Don't lose the ball, Let the guards play their game, and REBOUND REBOUND REBOUND. South Alabama, probably gets a 9 seed and makes it to the second round, but watch out.

Last there's...

3. BYU-The Cougars are 25-6 this year, including 14-2 in the Mountain West Conference. BYU has posted wins at Louisville, at Utah, and at New Mexico. They have some good losses by 7 to Michigan St. and by 10 to the Tar Heels of North Carolina. But then the Cougars have some straight out terrible losses, Wake Forest by 17, UNLV by 29, and Boise St. by 3. They have 3 players that average 10 or more points. Trent Plaistad, a 6-11 Center, puts up 16 ppg and 8 boards. The BYU playmaker is shooting guard Lee Cummard who also averages 16 points and gets 7 BOARDS per game, Lee gets it inside to Plaistad and then gets boxes out and gets the rebound KEYS TO SUCCESS: Play the Post game, Hit open shots, FORCE TURNOVERS. I predict this team to make it to the Sweet 16 or Second Round, depending on who they play.