Sweet 16 Preview Bonanza: Georgetown vs. Vanderbilt

(2) Georgetown -7.5 vs. (6) Vanderbilt (O/U: 131)

The Big East champs continue their quest for their first Final 4 trip in 22 years. The Commodores meanwhile, are looking for only their second Elite 8 trip in school history (the first coming in 1965).

These teams met on Vandy's home floor on November 15th, with Georgetown cruising to an 86-70 victory. A lot has changed since then, obviously. Senior PF Derrick Byers is the reigning SEC Player of the Year, and with good reason. The do-it-all transfer from Virginia has led this team on both ends of the court, and came up huge in the 2nd Half come-from-behind victory over Washington State. But the key for Vanderbilt is their outside shooting, if the shots aren't falling they're not a strong enough defensive team to keep themselves hanging in the game. They don't want too much pressure on Byers to carry the entire offense.

Georgetown was a vogue Final 4 pick heading into the tournament and with good reason. Their back-court really came together late in the year, and that's when the team gelled. The match-ups of the guards will be interesting in this game. One major advantage Vanderbilt had over Washington State was the size of their guards disrupting the Cougars' outside shooting. Georgetown is not a team that relies heavily on the outside shot, but they do have two guards who will be undersized in this game. The Jeff Green-Derrick Byers match-up could be a classic. Two players who didn't get quite as much attention but are styled in the Kevin Durant mode, oversized wing players who can do all the big things and little things to help their team win.

Battle of the Mascots: Though their mascot is a goofy looking bulldog, a Hoya is defined as a tropical plant. We're assuming Commodores is referring the naval rank, but in our fantasies Vanderbilt University named itself after the seminal Lionel Richie-fronted 70's soul band famous from bringing us "Brick House." Edge: Vanderbilt

Battle of the Famous Alumni: Unfortunately though, Lionel Richie did not attend Vanderbilt. They can, however, claim Al Gore, David Brinkley, Amy Grant and the legendary Will Perdue (maybe the worst player in NBA history with 4 championship rings). Party. Georgetown has Dikembe Mutumbo, Bill Clinton and... fuck, does it even really matter? Dikembe Mutumbo and Bill Clinton! Edge: Georgetown

The play to make: Vanderbilt already toppled one well-coached well-balanced team in the 2nd Round, can they make it rain again? Most likely not, but laying more than two possessions in a game that could go either way is a terrible idea. The defense will tighten up in the 1st Half, but I expect both teams to open it up in the 2nd. Play: Vanderbilt +7.5 (low confidence); Under 131 (low confidence)