Sweet 16 Primer — UPDATED

Published on Thursday, 3/26/15, at 4:33 p.m. Eastern.
Updated on Friday, 3/27/15, at 4:15 p.m. Eastern.

LAS VEGAS – I’m posted up at The Hard Rock ready for bets and ballgames galore! Here’s the latest…

—My Sweet 16 Analysis filed to VegasInsider.com earlier this week.

—My breakdown of the Midwest Region semifinals for tonight.

–Nothing new on UNC’s Kennedy Meeks, who remains a game-time decision tonight vs. Wisconsin.

–Ditto for Traevon Jackson, whose presence of lack thereof isn’t nearly as big of a deal in my opinion. Jackson has been a solid player throughout his career, but the Badgers have fared just fine in his absence.

–UCLA has covered the number in six straight games as an underdog. The Bruins are catching 8.5 points Friday night vs. Gonzaga.

–Gonzaga hasn’t been to the Elite Eight since 1999. This is its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2009.

–No big secret here, but the key for UCLA tomorrow night is Bryce Alford’s playmaking and shooting from downtown.

–What a home-run hire by Mississippi St. with Ben Howland!

–NBA legend Mark Price to Charlotte. I like it.

Friday updates below..

–Bad beat for UNC backers last night. Wisconsin’s last bucket got it ahead of the number for the first time in the game in its 79-72 win. Clutch play from the Badgers at winning time. Love me some Bo Ryan.

–I’ve been saying this for decades: Dave Hart is an incompetent fool! He made the worst hire in ACC hoops history when he brought Steve Robinson to FSU. Then he somehow got the AD job at Tennessee. Then he refused to hire Bruce Pearl because of ‘NCAA issues.’ Therefore, he hired Donnie Tyndall, who had way more NCAA issues than Pearl. Then he fired Tyndall today after one season. And now UT isn’t giving Hart his pink slip?! Pure comedy.

–Steve Lavin is out at St. John’s and according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, the school will wisely pursue famous alum Chris Mullin, who had the sweetest left jumper EVER!

–Thunder ‘under’ in UK’s blowout win over WVU last night.