March Madness: Table's Set for the Sweet 16

Arizona averages 85 points a game while Notre Dame averages 79 points a game. The game is being played at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim rather than a dome. In the last few years, I've noticed that teams playing in domes often have trouble with three-point shots because of the distorted depth perception caused by the unusual angles in a dome. There will be no such problem at the Western Regional, and I'm looking forward to the type of game that will give me a sore neck from turning my head back and forth so much.

In the other game in Anaheim, between Kansas and Duke, I think both the point spread and the total are spot on, and I have no opinion on the game.

On Friday, I think the Syracuse Orangemen will roll in the Eastern Regional in Albany. Syracuse is a surprisingly good defensive team, holding the opposition to less than 40% shooting. Carmello Anthony, a freshman, is a first-round draft pick in the NBA this year, if he elects to go pro. The supporting cast for Syracuse is also versatile, with three other players averaging double figures, including another freshman, Gerry McNamara, who stepped it up against Oklahoma State and hit three-pointers down the stretch last Sunday. Billy Edelin is also beginning to fulfill his potential for the Orangemen.

Auburn has been rather lucky in the tournament, winning two games where the superstars on their opponent's teams had poor shooting performances. Marquis Daniels is a first-round NBA draft pick for the Tigers, but his supporting cast isn't nearly as strong as that of the Orangemen. The regional site being only 100 miles from their campus also benefits Syracuse. I've laid the five points with the Orangemen.