- Mar 19, 2006
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Women's NCAA Sweet 16 bracket predictions
http://www.espn.com/womens-college-...77260/women-ncaa-sweet-16-bracket-predictions
ESPN's Charlie Creme, Elizabeth Merrill, LaChina Robinson and Mechelle Voepel make their game-by-game picks and predictions:
No. 6 UCLA vs. No. 2 UConn
ESPN/ESPN App: 7 p.m. ET Friday (Albany Regional)
X factor: Rebounding is generally never a concern for UConn. But Buffalo just outrebounded the Huskies. They will need to be diligent on the boards against a UCLA squad that can hurt teams there, led by Lajahna Drummer. The Huskies know what they'll get from Napheesa Collier, but they'll need more than her. -- Mechelle Voepel
Picks:
Creme: UConn
Merrill: UConn
Robinson: UConn
Voepel: UConn
No. 4 Oregon State vs. No. 1 Louisville
ESPN/ESPN App: 9 p.m. ET Friday (Albany Regional)
X factor: The Beavers survived early-round threats from Boise State and Gonzaga, committing a combined 30 turnovers to their opponents' 13. Louisville's defense has been good all season and sharp in the NCAA tournament. If Oregon State doesn't take care of the ball, the Beavers will struggle. -- Mechelle Voepel
Picks:
Creme: Louisville
Merrill: Louisville
Robinson: Louisville
Voepel: Louisville
No. 5 Arizona State vs. No. 1 Mississippi State
ESPN2/ESPN App: 9 p.m. ET Friday (Portland Regional)
X factor: Teaira McCowan is going to get her points. The Sun Devils just don't have the size to combat the 6-foot-7 senior. But Arizona State is an exceptional defensive team, and if Charli Turner Thorne can devise a scheme to significantly limit Anriel Howard and Jordan Danberry, the Bulldogs' other double-digit scorers, an upset is possible. -- Charlie Creme
Picks:
Creme: Mississippi State
Merrill: Mississippi State
Voepel: Mississippi State
No. 6 South Dakota State vs. No. 2 Oregon
ESPN2/ESPN App: 11 p.m. ET Friday (Portland Regional)
X factor: South Dakota State is a good offensive team, versatile and efficient -- just not on the level of Oregon. The Jackrabbits should be able to score against the Ducks, but defending Oregon's multiple weapons will be more difficult. Limiting the Ducks' good looks from the 3-point line, particularly those of Satou Sabally and Erin Boley, will keep the Jackrabbits in the game, like they were in December when they lost to Oregon 87-79 in Brookings, South Dakota. -- Charlie Creme
Picks:
Creme: Oregon
Merrill: Oregon
Voepel: Oregon
Note: LaChina Robinson opted not to predict winners for the Portland Regional, which she is covering for ESPN.
http://www.espn.com/womens-college-...77260/women-ncaa-sweet-16-bracket-predictions
ESPN's Charlie Creme, Elizabeth Merrill, LaChina Robinson and Mechelle Voepel make their game-by-game picks and predictions:
No. 6 UCLA vs. No. 2 UConn
ESPN/ESPN App: 7 p.m. ET Friday (Albany Regional)
X factor: Rebounding is generally never a concern for UConn. But Buffalo just outrebounded the Huskies. They will need to be diligent on the boards against a UCLA squad that can hurt teams there, led by Lajahna Drummer. The Huskies know what they'll get from Napheesa Collier, but they'll need more than her. -- Mechelle Voepel
Picks:
Creme: UConn
Merrill: UConn
Robinson: UConn
Voepel: UConn
No. 4 Oregon State vs. No. 1 Louisville
ESPN/ESPN App: 9 p.m. ET Friday (Albany Regional)
X factor: The Beavers survived early-round threats from Boise State and Gonzaga, committing a combined 30 turnovers to their opponents' 13. Louisville's defense has been good all season and sharp in the NCAA tournament. If Oregon State doesn't take care of the ball, the Beavers will struggle. -- Mechelle Voepel
Picks:
Creme: Louisville
Merrill: Louisville
Robinson: Louisville
Voepel: Louisville
No. 5 Arizona State vs. No. 1 Mississippi State
ESPN2/ESPN App: 9 p.m. ET Friday (Portland Regional)
X factor: Teaira McCowan is going to get her points. The Sun Devils just don't have the size to combat the 6-foot-7 senior. But Arizona State is an exceptional defensive team, and if Charli Turner Thorne can devise a scheme to significantly limit Anriel Howard and Jordan Danberry, the Bulldogs' other double-digit scorers, an upset is possible. -- Charlie Creme
Picks:
Creme: Mississippi State
Merrill: Mississippi State
Voepel: Mississippi State
No. 6 South Dakota State vs. No. 2 Oregon
ESPN2/ESPN App: 11 p.m. ET Friday (Portland Regional)
X factor: South Dakota State is a good offensive team, versatile and efficient -- just not on the level of Oregon. The Jackrabbits should be able to score against the Ducks, but defending Oregon's multiple weapons will be more difficult. Limiting the Ducks' good looks from the 3-point line, particularly those of Satou Sabally and Erin Boley, will keep the Jackrabbits in the game, like they were in December when they lost to Oregon 87-79 in Brookings, South Dakota. -- Charlie Creme
Picks:
Creme: Oregon
Merrill: Oregon
Voepel: Oregon
Note: LaChina Robinson opted not to predict winners for the Portland Regional, which she is covering for ESPN.
