NCAA Tournament 2012: Sweet 16 Predictions: South Region

(1) Kentucky (34-2) vs. (4) Indiana (27-8) – 9:45PM ET, Atlanta, GA, CBS

It’s time for the rematch. On December 10^th of last year, Indiana beat Kentucky in Assembly Hall on a last second shot by Christian Watford in what may have been this season’s most classic moment to date.

Of course, those were different times and this game will be played in a different place. Back in December, those brilliant Kentucky freshmen were just babies, recently out of the college basketball womb with remnants of the umbilical cord still apparent. Now, these freshmen have seemingly gone through puberty with deep booming voices that can scare a grizzled veteran.

Also back in December, the game was played on Indiana’s home court, one of the most intimidating and toughest places to play for any visitor. Additionally, Indiana had the services of Verdell Jones III, who has since been lost to a season-ending knee injury.

So, things seem to be trending in Kentucky’s direction and that’s without even discussing the Wildcats’ dominant performance in their second round thrashing of Iowa State.

Look for the Hoosiers to keep things close for a while, but Kentucky’s length, athleticism and defensive pressure will wear Indiana down by the middle of the second half.

Prediction: Kentucky 77, Indiana 67.