Looking at the Sweet 16

I don't remember feeling this hyped up about the Sweet 16 in a long time.

There are so many intriguing games on tap, partly because there were so many surprising results last weekend. I'll be glued to my TV (or my laptop) watching every game. Here are my thoughts and predictions on last week's action and what lies ahead this weekend.

Biggest surprise: VCU

Did anyone else see the Rams going from First Four participant to Sweet Sixteen team in such dominating fashion? The Rams have beaten three straight major conference opponents by an average of 16.3 points per game. They downed a team with a strong frontcourt (USC), a strong backcourt (Georgetown) and a strong all-around offense (Purdue). Where are all those critics who said VCU did not deserve a bid? All the consternation over the Rams getting in reminds me of what happened when George Mason earned an at-large bid in 2006. We all know what happened after that.

Biggest disappointment: Big East

The most overrated conference in America showed its supposed basketball strength was once again a product of East Coast media hype not grounded in reality. Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and Syracuse – all awarded top three seeds – made forgettable second-round exits. Louisville, St. John's and Georgetown could not make it out of the first round against lower-seeded foes. Only two teams remain from 11 who were given bids. Maybe the selection committee will learn its lesson and not buy into the hype again when next March rolls around.

Final Four darkhorse: Butler

Could the Bulldogs make it two Final Fours in a row? It seems likely. Butler showed it can match up with physical teams in its victories over Old Dominion and Pittsburgh, making Wisconsin less of a challenge for the Bulldogs than it would seem on paper. If Butler wins there, the Bulldogs have good enough guard play and strong enough post players to match either Florida or BYU.

Easiest path: Kansas

The Jayhawks might as well reserve plane tickets to Houston. Only three double digit seeds stand between them and going to Reliant Stadium. Kansas is just too deep, too talented and too hungry after last year's upset loss to Northern Iowa to be denied.

Toughest path: Duke

Even with Kyrie Irving back in action, the Blue Devils are not looking impressive. They nearly suffered a come-from-ahead second round loss to an average Michigan team and face a potential Elite Eight matchup where either opponent (Connecticut or San Diego State) boasts a stronger frontcourt than Duke. Don't expect the defending champions to repeat.

My Final Four Picks:

Ohio State, San Diego State, Kansas, Butler.