NCAA Tournament 2012: Sweet 16 Predictions: South Region

(3) Baylor (29-7) vs. (10) Xavier (23-12) – 7:15PM ET, Atlanta, GA, CBS

Three weeks ago, if you asked college basketball experts if Xavier would be in the NCAA tournament, you likely would have gotten dubious responses from those questioned. So, despite Xavier’s proclivity towards advancing to the second weekend of the tournament, it is a bit surprising that this year’s Musketeer squad was able to accomplish this much.

Baylor was supposed to be here, in all honesty. They were a popular pre-season top 10 pick based on their ultra-talented roster. The Bears have been solid to say the least all year long, but struggled against high level teams until their Big 12 tournament win versus Kansas. In their first two NCAA tournament games, the Bears beat two teams they should have.

This is another game Baylor should win. They are more talented top to bottom than Xavier. Xavier has an X-factor in point guard Tu Holloway, but Baylor has a pretty good point guard in their own right in Pierre Jackson.

It would be nice for Baylor if the inconsistent Perry Jones III stepped up and provided the monster game he is capable of, but even if he doesn’t, the Bears just have too many bodies for Xavier. Especially considering freshman Dezmine Wells – probably the Musketeer’s best athlete – is far from 100% with a bum toe.

Considering the depths Xavier was forced to rise from, this has been a solid end to the season for the Musketeers and it is likely they will join Cincinnati in an off-season of more reflection and healing.

Prediction: Baylor 72, Xavier 64.