Sweet 16 games in the South and Midwest Regions are slated for Friday (seeds in parentheses).

SOUTH
Michigan State (1) vs. Gonzaga (12)

	Gonzaga and Casey Calvary have shown the big boys they can play with three straight trips to the Sweet 16.

Gonzaga has to be concerned about the defensive ability and rebounding power of Michigan State. Those are two constants in Tom Izzo's program. That's why the Spartans have made the Final Four two straight years, cutting the nets down last season.

Andre Hutson, Jason Richardson and company can intimidate on the glass. I've seen that happen several times this season. The Spartans are so aggressive and quick off their feet. Michigan State has built a foundation around defense and rebounding. That will put pressure on Casey Calvary, who must provide a presence in the post for Gonzaga. Calvary must have a strong performance, as he did against Indiana State.

Dan Dickau is Gonzaga's leader, as shown in the second half vs. the Sycamores. After scoring just three points, all free throws, Dickau had 17 second-half points. He can be effective against Michigan State, though it won't be easy. His penetration and shooting ability make him dangerous. He had 29 points against Virginia.

Charlie Bell is one of the best defensive stoppers in America, and I am sure that at times he will rotate over to play Dickau. Izzo is a master at controlling and containing superstars, especially at the point-guard slot. Earlier this year, he put the clamps on Florida's Brett Nelson.

The Spartans lives off their defense. They can turn up the heat and build a lead by converting turnovers into easy transition baskets. One second you're in the game, then an 8-0 run hits...

Both teams have experience on their side. Gonzaga is in its third straight Sweet 16, just one behind Michigan State's current streak. This should be a big-time contest. I give the Spartans the edge with the balance, depth and rebounding.

Penn State (7) vs. Temple (11)
What a dramatic win for Jerry Dunn! The victory over North Carolina had to be the sweetest of all, and Penn State beat Kentucky, Michigan State and Illinois this season.

They were dancing in Happy Valley, and not for the pigskin, baby! The Crispins have been big all season, and Titus Ivory was sensational against the Tar Heels. Ivory had 21 points, hitting 8-of-12 shots. Ivory played his dream game vs. North Carolina. He grew up in Charlotte and wanted to play for the Tar Heels. There's nothing more thrilling than to come back and haunt the team that didn't think you were good enough.

Gyasi Cline-Heard, the son of former NBA forward Garfield Heard, has been a factor all season for Penn State. He had 19 points and nine boards against Carolina and a double-double (16 points, 10 boards) against Providence.

Now the Nittany Lions have to play their best against Temple. Penn State beat the Owls and the zone earlier this season, 66-60. Quincy Wadley was out for Temple and Lynn Greer shot 3-for-17 in that loss. That was back in December.

This is a different Owls team now. Wadley and Greer were awesome in wins over Texas and Florida, two quality opponents. John Chaney has been a genius in designing game plans in the tournament. He has gotten the most out of his talent.

Against Florida, Chaney had the powerful Gators held in check with just 25 first-half points. The Owl defense did a great job of knocking away passes in the lane. Plus, Temple doesn't turn the ball over, losing just 13 turnovers in its two wins. Penn State forced 22 turnovers against North Carolina, so something has to give.

The key will be the trifecta. The team that is hot from behind the arc will win. This will be a Pennsylvania dogfight.

MIDWEST
Illinois (1) vs. Kansas (4)

	Charlotte's Rodney White (5) battles Brian Cook on Sunday. Cook and the Illini ended a Sweet 16 drought dating to 1989.

This has the makings of a classic. If you had to rate the way the teams are playing right now, these two would be right up there.

Both have played so well right out of the tourney gate. Kansas has a backcourt that really understands how to play in Jeff Boschee and Kirk Hinrich. The Jayhawk baseline really gets them going. Drew Gooden, Kenny Gregory and Nick Collison have been outstanding so far. Gregory shot 70 percent from the field in the first two tourney tests.

Kansas handed Syracuse its worst loss in NCAA tournament play, and that should tell you something. The Jayhawks out-rebounded their first two opponents by an unbelievable 102-48 margin.

Roy Williams' team is peaking at the right time. Kansas has not received the notoriety and publicity it normally receives. Getting to the Sweet 16 after missing three years in a row, this team believes it can play against anybody. The confidence factor is a positive and they have been brilliant.

Illinois, meanwhile, is deep and talented. Bill Self's club has been using the trifecta, hitting 10 in each of the first two NCAA games. Outside shooting can loosen things up for the powerful front line. Brian Cook and Cory Bradford have come through so far. Frank Williams has been steady, and Marcus Griffin is strong on the interior. The Illini defend and rebound well, and that will be important against Kansas.

Illinois has faced a dynamite schedule all season long, and that should pay dividends here. The Illini should be well-prepared, having handled pressure situations against top-notch competition all along.

This should come down to Bradford hitting the three. Self's team must convert on the perimeter. If Bradford is hot, Illinois should get the job done. If not, Kansas can move on, especially if it shuts down the perimeter shooting and Collison and Gooden dominate on the interior.

Arizona (2) vs. Mississippi (3)
Arizona is peaking at the right time, playing brilliant basketball. The five starters are as good as anybody in America.

Loren Woods gives Arizona solid play in the middle. He not only blocks shots but also changes them, forcing mistakes by the opposition. This often leads to rebounds and transition play for easy baskets. When Woods is playing well, the Wildcats become almost unbeatable.

Having Woods and Michael Wright on the baseline is tough for anyone to stop. They can get opponents in foul trouble, plus they know how to convert. Gilbert Arenas has been super at the two-guard slot. Richard Jefferson has improved defensively. Jason Gardner is a solid leader at the point.

Mississippi has its own muscle up front in Rahim Lockhart. He was the key in the win over Notre Dame, scoring 24 big points and dominating the baseline. 5-foot-3 Jason Harrison is a penetrator who makes things happen. He gives Mississippi instant offense and plays more like 7-foot-3. Justin Reed can be effective on the wing.

Rod Barnes has done one of the best coaching jobs in America. Most experts had the Rebels finishing last in the SEC West. Instead, Mississippi has come up with different players stepping up and leading it to the winner's circle. For example, Emmanuel Wade averaged four points a game entering the NCAAs. When the game was on the line against Iona, he came up big with 19 points.

Arizona, after starting the season 8-5, has returned to form. It is now living up to its billing from the preseason, when many picked them as the team to beat. Mississippi is fundamentally solid, taking good shots and playing exceptional defense. This is a tough matchup, especially inside. But with Gardner and Arenas, the Wildcats should move on to the Elite Eight.