It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Day Three

(2) Duke Blue Devils v (7) West Virginia Mountaineers
Duke had a scare, and probably should have lost against the Belmont Bruins, but if that doesn't focus this team and get them to play up to their potential, nothing will. West Virginia is a solid team, though, they are capable of giving Duke a challenge, but a focused Duke and a nearly upset Duke will be a very challenging Duke to keep out of the Sweet 16. Pick, Duke.

(11) Kansas State Wildcats v (3) Wisconsin Badgers
I didn't pick either of these teams to make it to this round. Shows what I know. Beasley was impressive in beating USC, and KSU showed that they had more players than just Beasley, they might just put together a good run in this tourney. The Badgers didn't pull away from an overmatched CSUF team till late in the game, so still think they're a bit overrated (sorry Ruth Anne, don't see them making a big run in this tournament). Wisconsin will probably shut down Beasley and make the rest of the Wildcats beat them, problem is, the rest of the Wildcats are playing pretty well, so that won't work. Pick, Kansas State

(3) Xavier Musketeers v (6) Purdue Boilermakers
I'll say it again, Musketeers drink Boilermakers for breakfast. Xavier had to rally in the 2nd half to win, and Purdue romped, so that would suggest an upset, but I still don't see any Big Ten teams making it to next Sweet 16-land. Both teams can play defense, but Xavier has more athletes, and usually that combination leads to triumph. Pick, Xavier.

(4) Washington State Cougars v (5) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Cougars eat Irishman for breakfast (and yes, there is meant to be some ambiguity as what kind of eating and what kind of cougars is meant by that comment). Pick, Washington State

(3) Stanford Cardinal v (6) Marquette Golden Eagles
It's Marquette's quickness versus Stanford's size, a lot of how this game will go depends on how it's officiated. If the Cardinal big men get in early foul trouble defending drives by the quicker Marquette forwards and guards, then Stanford will be in big trouble. But, if the refs let them play, and ignore the inevitable contact, then Stanford will beat up on Marquette. This game won't be close, one way or the other. Pick, Stanford

(8) UNLV Rebels v (1) Kansas Jayhawks
One of the 1 seeds has to miss the Sweet 16, might as well be the Jayhawks. Not exactly the best analysis of a match-up you'll find on the 'net, admittedly. Pick, UNLV

(4) Pittsburgh Panthers v (5) Michigan State Spartans
Both teams beat up their opponents on Thursday, both teams are going to want to slow this game down and turn it into a battle. Good game not to watch, luckily in the LA market CBS will be showing the UCLA v Texas A&M, cause I don't think I could watch too much of this one. Pick, Pittsburgh

(1) UCLA Bruins v (9) Texas A&M Aggies
I'm fairly certain that what UCLA did to Mississippi Valley State is illegal in many Southern states. Luckily for the Bruins, they violated those other men in more permissive California. Texas A&M and UCLA have met before, and on the very court they'll be matched up on tonight, UCLA squeaked by with a 65-62 victory. UCLA is playing better since then, and Texas A&M is playing worse, UCLA won't match their 41 point victory from Thursday, but I wouldn't be surprised if they win by more than 20. Collison and Love are playing very well, Love may end up being the tournament's MOP when this is all over. Pick, UCLA

I'm only picking two upsets on Saturday, after the wildness of Friday, don't see there being a repeat of that kind of craziness in these match-ups, but Sunday ought to be pretty interesting.