SWEET 16 PREVIEW: March 21
East Region: UCONN (2) vs. SO. ILLINOIS (11) | Friday, 7:38 p.m. ET

The Southern Illinois Salukis have been one of the surprise teams of the NCAA Tournament. Once again, it's the case of a mid-major screaming loud and clear that all they need is a chance to play the big boys!

This Southern Illinois program has some tradition. Remember when Walt "Clyde" Frazier led the Salukis to the NIT title in 1967? You know there has been joy on the campus this week.

Connecticut has one of the most outstanding players in America in Caron Butler, my PTPer of the tourney's first week.

Bruce Weber, a rising star in coaching, has already beaten two coaches with national-championship rings in Robert Montgomery Knight and Jim Harrick ... can he make it three straight by sending UConn's Jim Calhoun to the sidelines? Southern Illinois showed a lot of guts and heart by rallying from a 19-point, first-half deficit in beating No. 3 seed Georgia on Sunday.

Rolan Roberts gives Southern Illinois strength on the inside while Kent Williams is a factor from outside, though he hasn't shot as well in the tournament (36 percent from the field). Jermaine Dearman has become a star of stars with his 25-point, eight-rebound performance against Harrick's Bulldogs in the second round.

My feeling is that Connecticut, up in Big East country at Syracuse's Carrier Dome, won't be stopped. The Huskies have one of the most outstanding players in America in Caron Butler. In fact, I picked him as my overall PTPer of the tournament's first week. His performance against N.C. State was special. He scored 34 points and was 12-of-12 from the foul line, proving to be Mr. Clutch.

In the first two games of the tournament, Butler's line is pretty impressive: 27.5 ppg, nine rpg, 58.6 percent from the floor, 17-of-17 from the line.

The Huskies have made good decisions in passing and shot selection, shooting 56 percent as a team. Tony Robertson, who was up and down during the regular season, has bounced back strong. Diaper dandy Ben Gordon has struggled, shooting 3-of-10 in the first two rounds.

Center Emeka Okafor is a difference-maker in the lane, not only blocking shots and serving as a Windex man on the glass, but also changing opponents' shots.

I have a feeling Syracuse fans will be cheering for the Huskies. The dream of the Salukis comes to an end in the Sweet 16.