NCAA Tournament 2012: Sweet 16 Predictions: West Regional

(3) Marquette (27-7) vs. (7) Florida (25-10) – 10:17PM ET, Phoenix, AZ, TBS

In the final game of the night, the SEC takes their shot at a Big East team.

Florida enters this game as a popular “upset” pick based on their talent at the guard position and the fact that they have reached the Sweet 16 in impressive fashion. However, the Gators caught a break in facing a 15-seed Norfolk State squad that seemed quite happy to return to Virginia with only one upset under their belt.

Marquette has been a top 15 team all season, led by seniors Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder. The Golden Eagles also impressed in their first two rounds with wins over BYU and a good Murray State team.

This should be an up and down, entertaining game, even if the scoring isn’t as high as most expect. Guards should dominate on both teams, but in the end, Marquette should be too tough defensively and mentally.

Prediction: Marquette 76, Florida 70.