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March Madness 2017: Ranking and previewing all Sweet 16 teams

ByKeith 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; Tulsa, OK, USA; Baylor Bears guard King McClure (22) reacts during the first half against the USC Trojans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Baylor Bears guard King McClure (22) reacts during the first half against the USC Trojans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Baylor Bears

They might be a No. 3 seed, but we’ve seen how little seeding can matter. Against USC, Baylor nearly fell at the hands of a hungry Trojans squad.

What is stunning about Baylor’s previous game is that they were out-matched in every major category with the exception of turnovers. Shooting percentage, three point percentage, and rebounds all pointed towards USC.

So why does this matter?

For their Sweet 16 match up, South Carolina will be waiting for them. The Gamecocks knocked off Duke in the Round of 32, which makes Baylor look like an easier target.

In order for Baylor to not get sent home, they’ll have to be better at controlling South Carolina’s options. One of the reasons that Duke isn’t alive anymore is because they underestimated what the Gamecocks could bring to the table.

They paid the price for it, so hopefully Baylor takes from that and avoids the same mistakes.

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