The Pure Hoops Quick Hitters

Adam Stanco looks ahead to the Sweet 16 matchup in the midwest region between #5 Auburn and #1 North Carolina as they battle on Friday night for the right to move on to the Elite 8 in hopes of a Final Four birth. 

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Adam Stanco looks ahead to the Sweet 16 matchup in the south region between #3 Purdue and #2 Tennessee as they battle on Thursday night for the right to move on to the Elite 8 in hopes of a Final Four birth.

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Adam Stanco looks ahead to the Sweet 16 matchup in the south region between #12 Oregon and #1 Virginia as they battle on Thursday night for the right to move on to the Elite 8 in hopes of a Final Four birth.

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Adam Stanco looks ahead to the Sweet 16 matchup in the west region between #3 Texas Tech and #2 Michigan as they battle on Thursday night for the right to move on to the Elite 8 in hopes of a Final Four birth.

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Adam Stanco looks ahead to the Sweet 16 matchup in the west region between #4 Florida State and  #1 Gonzaga as they battle on Thursday night for the right to move on to the Elite 8 in hopes of a Final Four birth.

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Adam Stanco looks ahead to the Sweet 16 matchup in the east region between #4 Virginia Tech and  #1 Duke as they battle on Friday night for the right to move on to the Elite 8 in hopes of a Final Four birth.

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Adam Stanco looks ahead to the Sweet 16 matchup in the east region between #3 LSU and #2 Michigan State as they battle on Friday night for the right to move on to the Elite 8 in hopes of a Final Four birth.

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Georgia State comes into the tournament having won 8 of its last 9 games, including a solid win over Texas-Arlington in the Sun Belt Championship games. Malik Benlevi, a 6-6 senior was named the tournament’s most outstanding player, but the Panthers feature a balanced attack with five double figure scorers in the Sun belt championship game.

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St. John’s started the season hot but has stumbled down the stretch. Coach Chris Mullin relies on guard Shamorie Ponds, one of the top guards in the nation who averages 19 points and 5 assists. Mustapha Heron nearly went pro last year but had a solid year for Coach Mullin. Several other transfers play major roles and if they can tighten up their team defense, they could be trouble.

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Abilene Christian makes its first NCAA Tournament appearance and the run has been even more miraculous because they overcame the loss of two stars due to their dismissal from the team. While it would be a miracle of enormous proportions for them to even win one game, they’ll hope to ride the play of Jaren Lewis, Payton Ricks, and Jaylen Franklin to a first round shocker.

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