Three best games in the Sweet 16

1. South Region: No. 3 Stanford vs. No. 2 Texas, Friday, Houston
A.J. Abrams has 26 points in each of his first two games for the Longhorns. Abrams and D.J. Augustin may comprise the tourney's most talented backcourt (as folks in Davidson, N.C. clear their throats in protest) while Stanford's Lopez twins may be the most indomitable front court. A terrific test of opposites.

2. East Region: No. 3 Louisville vs No. 2 Tennessee, Thursday, Charlotte
This is a match-up of the greatest overachievers versus the greatest underachievers (still alive, that is) of the first weekend. While the Cardinals were not the lowest seed to advance by any measure, they have certainly been tenacious (elevenacious, even). The Cardinals are forcing 17 turnovers per game in the tourney while the Vols are committing 17 turnovers per game. There will be blood.

3. Midwest Region: No. 10 Davidson vs. No. 3 Wisconsin, Friday, Detroit
All Stephen Curry has done is score 40 and 30 points in Davidson's two upset wins (not to mention the 30 he had last season). The sophomore guard is the most charismatic player in the tournament, but the Wildcats are up against the worst kind of foe: a steady, resilient and defensive-minded team that rarely beats itself.

Sweet 16-16
Texas swingman Damion James had 16 points and 16 boards in the Longhorns' 75-72 win over Miami.

Haven't we met?
Both Texas and UCLA have played five different teams in this year's Sweet 16. The Longhorns went a combined 3-3 versus Kansas, Tennessee, Michigan State, Wisconsin and the Bruins. UCLA was 6-1 against Stanford, Washington State, Davidson, Michigan State and the Longhorns (their lone loss). The two would not meet again until the national semifinal.

Five players we'll miss next week

1. Jack McClinton, G, Miami
56 points in two games, including 15-15 from the line for the Hurricanes' junior guard.

2. Gyno Pomare, C, San Diego
42 points for the Toreros' 6-8 Unseld-ian throwback, including a time-capsule tape of him outplaying U Conn's 7-3 Hasheem Thabeet.

3. Michael Beasley, F, Kansas State
Mr. Big Stuff walked the walk, averaging 23 and 12 for the Wildcats.

4. Jarvis Varnado, C, Mississippi State
The Bulldog center throws more shots back than Tara Reid. He had nine rejections in two games as the Dawgs came within three points of the Sweet 16.

5. Steven Hill, C, Arkansas
That beard. That haircut. That headband. That spindly frame. It's refreshing to see a seven-footer, much less anyone, who looks as if he stepped right out 1973. Check Hill's VW Bus for an eight-track of "America's Greatest Hits".

All-Shining Moment Team
We imagine the CBS crew is working diligently compiling montage-worthy moments for their tourney curtain closer on April 7. Doesn't mean we cannot help out. Here are twenty moments from the tournament's first 48 games worth including:

1. Ty Rogers' game-winning three for Western Kentucky over Drake (and the Hilltopper teammate who broke the 40-yard dash time sprinting from the bench to the far end of the court to tackle him)

2. Stephen Curry pointing to his parents after burying a go-ahead three late in the Wildcats' victory over Gonzaga.

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3. Rob Jones's reverse lay-up with the high kiss off the glass over Hasheem Thabeet in San Diego's win against Connecticut.

4. Stephen Curry's mom cheering.

5. Memphis enforcer Joey Dorsey's duo of blocks on the same Mississippi State offensive possession in the first half of the Tigers' win on Sunday.

6. The look of disappointment on Belmont senior Justin Hare's face after his last-second prayer fell just short versus Duke.

7. Stephen Curry's mom looking concerned.

8. The pick set by Duke's Lance Thomas in the open court on West Virginia guard Joey Mazzulla.

10. Stephen Curry's mom crying tears of joy.

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11. Kevin Love's fallaway jumper in the waning minutes versus Texas A&M (or Kevin Love's block from behind of an Aggie put-back moments earlier).

12. Brook Lopez's game-winner versus Marquette.

13. The Lopez twins in a single frame shot.

14. The Hansbrough bros, Ty and Ben, in a split-screen shot.

15. Jim Calhoun standing up, then sitting down, then standing up as he contemplates yelling at a ref late in Connecticut's loss (stock footage will do).

16. Russell Westbrook's game-ending dunk versus Texas A&M (that was later disallowed)

17. Stephen Curry's mom snarfing down a plate of ultimate nachos.

18. D.J. Augustin's late-game air-balled free throw versus Miami.

19. The high-off-the-backboard block of a Butler lay-up by a Tennessee player late in the Vols' win against the Bulldogs.

20. Arkansas center Steven Hill looking crazy-eyed.

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