The big news in College Basketball today was Tubby Smith leaving Kentucky after 10 seasons there and taking the Head Coaching job at Minnesota.  As far as the stuff that'll take place on the court tonight - there are four Sweet 16 games and here are my thoughts on each:

#4 Southern Illinois vs. #1 Kansas - 7:10 PM

Bill Self's Jayhawks have won 13 in a row and come in with a 32-4 overall record, while the Salukis with a win here tonight can earn their school record 30th victory.  Guided by the youngest Head Coach in the NCAA Tournament in Chris Lowery - So. Illinois was able to beat Virginia Tech 63-48 in the second round not only because of its usually stout defense, but also because of their surprisingly hot three-point shooting.  SIU went from going 2-for-12 from beyond the arc in an opening round win over Holy Cross to 12-for-21   Keying the outstide barrage was guard and Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Jamaal Tatum (21Pts. 6-9 3's on Sunday).  It'll be up to his supporting cast of Randal Falker (12PPG), Matt Shaw (who sat out the last game due to injury), Tony Young, Bryan Mullins and Tony Boyle to help him out and keep it a half-court game.  Why's that?  Because if this becomes a fast-paced game, Kansas will have a chance to roll.  So far in the NCAA Tournament the Jayhawks have shot 23-of-38 from downtown.  They have multiple scoring weapons in Julian Wright, Brandon Rush and freshmen Darrell Arthur and Sherron Collins.  Defensively they can get you out of your rhythm too with guards Mario Chalmers and Russell Robinson applying pressure that turns into points off turnovers.  Eventually, KU will need to develop a go-to-guy, but it's not absolutely necessary in this contest.   Pick:  Kansas by 11.

#3 Texas A&M vs. #2 Memphis - 7:27 PM

In my opinion, there are three things that favor the Aggies in this game.  First of all, Memphis' top scorer in Chris Douglas-Roberts (15.4PPG) suffered an ankle injury against Nevada in Sunday's second round tournament win, and while he's expected to try to give it a go, don't anticipate him being at full strength.  Secondly, the Aggies got an extra day of rest playing on Saturday and really showed what they're capable of when they erased a deficit late in the game with a dangerous Louisville team in Lexington that got a great game from freshman guard Edgar Sosa.  The final thing that gives the Aggies an edge if you ask me is the fact this game is being played in San Antonio, making it a virtual home game for A&M.  Now Memphis Head Coach John Calipari is great at giving his team that 'us against the world' speech and it working.  After losing Rodney Carney, Shawne Williams and Darius Washington, Jr., the Tigers haven't missed a beat and sit one victory away from a second straight Elite Eight appearance.  But personally I feel next year is their year to get to the Final Four and make a stronger run to the Natl. Championship.  Provided everybody stays in school, the only guy they will lose is senior guard Jeremy Hunt (13.6PPG) and they'll be adding Shawn Taggart, a transfer from Iowa State.  Memphis does bring in a 24-game winning streak and to keep it running they must be able to shoot it well, particularly from the foul line where they have been known to be a bit spotty (62% on the year).  If either big man - being Joseph Jones for A&M and Joey Dorsey for Memphis - gets in foul trouble that could swing the game.  Acie Law IV is the difference at the point and the Aggies should march on because of him.  Pick:  A&M by 6.

#3 Pittsburgh vs. #2 UCLA - 9:40 PM

What makes this game so interesting?  Well, nothing really to be perfectly honest except the fact that Ben Howland, Head Coach of UCLA, once was the Head Coach at Pittsburgh, which is now coached by Jamie Dixon.  Howland has brought that old Big East brand of physical defense to the Bruins in the Pac-10 as they play an ugly type of game and their style can be similar to the Panthers.  However, don't be surprised to see UCLA try to push the tempo more than normal.  Guards Darren Collison and Arron Afflalo could try to run on guards Levance Fields, Ronald Ramon and Mike Cook, a transfer from East Carolina.  More importantly though, they'd like to be able to run to get Pitt 7-footer Aaron Gray out of his comfort zone.  Gray, who last year as a junior averaged 13.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, is ultimately the key to the game for Pitt unless 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Sam Young can step up off the bench like he did in the VCU game when he led all Panthers in scoring with 15 points.  This marks Pitt's fourth appearance in the Sweet 16 in school history and first since 2004 when Oklahoma State beat them in a rugged battle.  I'd look for more of the same and for UCLA to prevail as they'll protect the basketball, choose their spots to attack in transition and force the Panthers to beat them with long range contested jump shots.  Pick:  Afflalo leads UCLA to a win by 3.

#5 Tennessee vs. #1 Ohio State - 9:57 PM

Did Ohio St. dodge a bullet in the second round against Xavier or what?  Thanks to Ron Lewis hitting a clutch three-point shot at the end of regulation to force overtime, where OSU had smooth sailing, the Buckeyes continue playing on and find themselves in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.  Lewis and freshman guard Mike Conley Jr. combined for 48 points, 13 rebounds (nice for a backcourt tandem) and together went 13-for-13 from the free-throw line.  Bruce Pearl's Volunteers did an excellent job of closing out Virginia, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe to end the game.  Guard Chris Lofton is a money player who should get a chance to pump in 20+ points any given night.  Where this game can be won or lost for Tennessee is in the frontcourt.  Freshmen Duke Crews and Wayne Chism need to be on their A-game against the tower in the middle, Greg Oden.  Tennessee doesn't shy away from taking the three-point shot either; they went 25-for-53 in two NCAA Tournament games long distance and they are averaging 99PPG so far in this tourney.  When these two teams met earlier in the season, OSU won 62-60, but that game the Vols shot under 40% from the field.  Anything above 45% ought to give them a great opportunity to pull the upset.  I don't see it happening though because OSU does a great job of keeping teams off the boards and a spark may have been lit with the scare Thad Matta's old Xavier pal, Sean Miller, and company gave them.  Pick:  Ohio St. by 8.