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March Madness 2017: Ranking and previewing all Sweet 16 teams

By Keith Rivas

Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) dives for the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) dives for the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) celebrates a three point basket against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) celebrates a three point basket against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA Bruins

Just outside of the top five is UCLA. Wins over Kent State and Cincinnati proved to us that this team can compete against different types of opponents.

Kent State tried taking the key players out of the game, but that didn’t work. Then, Cincinnati brought a tough, throw down style of play that couldn’t contain UCLA.

Now they’ve got to play Kentucky.

After beating the Wildcats in the regular season, the initial thought might be that they’ve got confidence. As it turns out, though, this Kentucky team is a different story in the post-season.

Also, Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf will probably have to give their best games of the season. It’s going to take a total team effort.

If UCLA moves on to the Elite Eight, because of the fact that they have to go through Kentucky, there’s no explanation of it happening by chance.

That just doesn’t happen.

Should they win over Kentucky, they’ll face the winner of North Carolina-Butler in the Elite Eight.

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