NCAA College Basketball News

Southwest Region: Butler Bulldogs (8) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (4) Thurs. March 24, 2011 9:57 p.m. EST

Every single year during March Madness there are one or two teams that just defy the odds with every single game and make it deeper in the NCAA Tournament than anyone could have anticipated. This season that one team to pull off the biggest upsets consecutively has been the VCU Rams (11), but the team that has been able to shock the world two years in a row has been the Butler Bulldogs (8) as they upset the Pittsburgh Panthers in the third round.

Having advanced to the Sweet 16 in two consecutive seasons, the consensus is that teams probably won’t underestimate this team moving forward as Butler isn’t going to surprise anyone anymore. With that being said, things will get really interesting this Thursday night when the Butler Bulldogs (8) take on yet another tough team in the Wisconsin Badgers (4).

West Region: Duke Blue Devils (1) vs. Arizona Wildcats (5) Thurs. March 24, 2011 9:45 p.m. EST

Last season the Duke Blue Devils (1) came into the 2010 NCAA Tournament will high hopes of beating the best of the best during March Madness and winning an NCAA title. Even though most people had written them off as an inferior team in the tourney, Coach K was able to lead his squad to yet another NCAA title over the underdog Butler Bulldogs (8).

Coming into the 2011 NCAA Tournament, the Duke Blue Devils (1) are looking to do something that not many have done in the past by winning two consecutive NCAA titles. So far, the Blue Devils have played extremely well as they absolutely dominated the Hampton Pirates (87-45) in the second round and followed that up with a close win over the Michigan Wolverines (73-71).

West Region: UConn Huskies (3) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (2) Thurs. March 24, 2011 7:15 p.m. EST

Coming into the 2011 NCAA Tournament, there have been two players that have really started to get recognition as two of the best players in the country with Jimmer Fredette leading the way for the BYU Cougars (3) and Kemba Walker getting it done for the UConn Huskies (3). Even though these two teams might ultimately meet in the National Championship on April 4, they will have their work cut out for them moving forward, especially for the Huskies.

There is no question that the UConn Huskies (3) and the San Diego State Aztecs (2) have had seasons to remember this year as they have both been considered amongst the best of the best in college basketball. Despite this season being a success for both these teams, only one of them can advance to the Elite Eight this weekend as they will go head-to-head in arguably the most anticipated matchup of the Sweet 16.

Southwest Region: BYU Cougars (3) vs. Florida Gators (2) Thurs. March 24, 2011 7:27 p.m. EST

The Jimmer Fredette show is officially underway as the BYU Cougars (3) have gotten out to a good start in the 2011 NCAA Tournament with two straight wins over the Wofford Terriers (74-66) and the Gonzaga Bulldogs (89-67). Now Fredette and company will head to New Orleans, Louisiana to take on the Florida Gators (2).

Even though the Gators have flown relatively under the radar in this tournament, despite being a number two seed in Southeast Region, head coach Billy Donovan has this team firing on all cylinders coming into this matchup with the BYU Cougars (3). With wins over UCSB (79-51) in the second round and over the UCLA Bruins (73-65) in the third round, the Florida Gators (2) are playing extremely well right now and might be able to give Jimmer Fredette and company a run for their money.