Nick's Picks: The irresistible force meets the immovable object
Four more Sweet 16 games on tap for tonight, and our Nick Kostos likes one of them in particular. Who will win the defense v. offense battle tonight between Virginia and Iowa State?
Virginia vs. Iowa State (SportsLine's pick)
Tipoff:Â Thursday, 7:10 p.m. ET
TV:Â CBS
Spread: Virginia -5, O/U 141.5
I'm in need of a winner, so I'm going to the well with my favorite pick of the Sweet 16 round -- the Virginia Cavaliers.
Their matchup tonight with Iowa State is the basketball equivalent of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object.
The Cyclones are a terrific offensive basketball team and are always looking to push the pace and light up the scoreboard.
Conversely, the Cavaliers look to slow it down and grind it out with their outstanding defense.
And if there's one thing we learned from this year's NFL playoffs, it's that defense wins championships. And I'm expecting Virginia's defense to be the difference in this game.
Iowa State dodged a major bullet with Purdue's collapse against Little Rock in the first round. I doubt the inconsistent Cyclones would have gotten past the Boilermakers, so I don't even consider Iowa State to be a legitimate Sweet 16 club.
Virginia has its opportunity to reach the Final Four. With Michigan State having been bounced, the Cavaliers have no excuses. This is Tony Bennett's time. This is Malcom Brogdon's time. This is London Perrantes' time.
Iowa State's offense will sputter against a suffocating Virginia defensive effort, and Brogdon and company will put enough points on the board to comfortably cover the spread.
Give me UVA by double digits.
The Pick: Virginia (-5)
