Sunday’s Elite Eight matchups pit top-seeded Memphis against second-seeded Texas in Houston, while the second game will feature top-seeded Kansas against tournament darling Davidson, the #10 seed out of the Southern Conference.  Here’s a breakdown along with my picks on both games…

#1 Memphis (36-1) v. #2 Texas (31-6) – 2:20PM Sunday – Coach John Calipari’s Memphis Tigers are making their third consecutive Elite Eight appearance.  The last two times in this round they lost to eventual Natl. runner-ups UCLA and Ohio State.  With a win, they will get another crack at the Bruins, who defeated Xavier 76-57 on Saturday.  Texas, coached by Rick Barnes, has three wins over Top 5 teams in the country this season.  Memphis’ physical front-line with Joey Dorsey and Robert Dozier down low may give Texas some problems.  Furthermore, I don’t think people give the Tigers’ defense enough credit; they won’t allow guards A.J. Abrams and D.J. Augustin of the Longhorns to penetrate with ease and shoot uncontested jumpers.  Antonio Anderson did a nice job of harassing Drew Neitzel of Michigan State in the Sweet 16 and his task will be to keep one of Texas’ guards in check for most of the 40 minutes.  Memphis has some capable playmakers on their bench with Willie Kemp and Andre Allen.  In the end, freshman guard Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts will make some key baskets for Memphis to put it away late.  Pick:  Memphis 68-64

#1 Kansas (34-3) v. #10 Davidson (29-6) – 5:05PM Sunday – Bill Self has been to the Elite Eight four times before, coaching with Tulsa, Illinois and Kansas and yet to break through to the Final Four.  T  Now is the time for Kansas, which faces tenth-seeded Davidson, led by guard Stephen Curry.  Davidson is the much looser team.  There’s no pressure on them to win this game like Kansas, which could be a tad tight in the early going.  The Wildcats’ confidence is soaring through the roof.  What really stands out to me about Davidson besides the exploits of Curry is this team’s ability to protect the basketball.  Against Wisconsin, the Wildcats had only five turnovers while forcing Wisconsin into 12.  In the previous round, Georgetown turned the ball over 16 more times than the Wildcats and 20 overall.  However, the big concern for Davidson in this game is handling Kansas’ speed.  Neither Georgetown nor Wisconsin got out on the break a lot, but the Jayhawks should.  Their front-court is the difference in my opinion.  Pick:  Kansas 71-57

*** Be sure to check back with Hatfield Sports – www.matthewhatfield.com – for more on the NCAA Tournament, our Elite Eight review on Monday and later this week, a preview of the Final Four! ***