The Contenders

I've done a little research on the No.2 seed vs. No. 3 seed games in the NCAA tournament this week, and I've made my predictions. I should have crunched these numbers before I picked my bracket. By my calculations, the Big East Conference continues its run:

Tomorrow's match-ups:

#2 Duke

Starters' experience: 3 Jr, 1 Soph, 1 Fr

Rebounds per game: 39.4

Points per game: 78.0
Free throw percentage: 72.3%

2009 record: 30-6

All-time NCAA tournament record: 86-29

VERSUS

#3 Villanova

Starters' experience: 3 Sr, 2 Jr

Rebounds per game: 41.1

Points per game: 76.5
Free throw percentage: 74.2%

2009 record: 28-7

All-time NCAA tournament record: 44-29
Edge: Wildcats - better shooters from the perimeter, the line, and overall; 'Nova has been to Sweet Sixteen 4 out of the last 5 years

#2 Memphis

Starters' experience: 2 Sr, 2 Jr, 1 Fr

Rebounds per game: 42.7

Points per game: 74.1
Free throw percentage: 69.6%

2009 record: 33-3

All-time NCAA tournament record: 30-21

VERSUS

#3 Missouri

Starters' experience: 3 Sr, 2 Jr

Rebounds per game: 39.5

Points per game: 81.1
Free throw percentage: 66.8%

2009 record: 30-6

All-time NCAA tournament record: 18-21

Edge: Memphis - wins battle of the Tigers due to size and defensive toughness; Memphis has more wins in the last four years (137) than any team in history

Friday's match-ups:

#2 Oklahoma

Starters' experience: 2 Sr, 1 Jr, 1 Soph, 1 Fr

Rebounds per game: 42.0

Points per game: 79.2
Free throw percentage: 68.1%

2009 record: 29-5

All-time NCAA tournament record: 32-25

VERSUS

#3 Syracuse

Starters' experience: 3 Jr, 2 Soph

Rebounds per game: 43.5

Points per game: 81.1
Free throw percentage: 63.9%

2009 record: 28-9

All-time NCAA tournament record: 48-31
Edge: Orange - Onuaku and Jackson will have their hands full guarding the Griffin brothers, but the Sooners' guards will be overmatched; Boeheim gets win No. 800

#2 Michigan State

Starters' experience: 2 Sr, 1 Jr, 1 Soph, 1 Fr

Rebounds per game: 42.1

Points per game: 71.9
Free throw percentage: 68.6%

2009 record: 28-6

All-time NCAA tournament record: 43-21

VERSUS

#3 Kansas

Starters' experience: 1 Jr, 2 Soph, 2 Fr

Rebounds per game: 41.7

Points per game: 77.1
Free throw percentage: 72.8%

2009 record: 27-7

All-time NCAA tournament record: 82-36
Edge: Spartans - more experience and they won their last meeting against the Jayhawks 75-62; Cole Aldrich will not get a triple double in this game