East Region
1. Ohio State vs 16. TX San Antonio - No. 16 has never beaten a No.1, Pick: Ohio State
8. George Mason vs 9. Villanova - George Mason comes in winning 16 of their last 17 games while Villanova has dropped it's last 5, including a first round loss in the Big East Tournament to South Florida, take the hotter team, especially in an 8-9 matchup. Pick: George Mason
5. West Virginia vs 12. Clemson - West Virginia might have been primed to be upset in the first round, if it wasn't for Clemson beating UAB in such close proximity to this game, while WVU on the other hand has had time to rest. Overall talent rests with WVU. Pick: West Virginia
4. Kentucky vs 13. Princeton - Kentucky should run these Ivy league boys up and down the court all game. They come off winning their second straight SEC championship, led by sensational freshman Brandon Knight, the Wildcats are hitting their stride at the right time. Pick: Kentucky
6. Xavier vs 11. Marquette - Marquette is one of the worst defensive teams in college basketball, look for them to be dominated in the paint by the Bigs Jamel McLean and Kenny Frease. Pick: Xaiver
3. Syracuse vs 14. Indiana State - Indiana State won their Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, they'll be no match however for the intense 2-3 zone that the Orange Men play, look for them to get eaten alive early on. Pick: Syracuse
7. Washington vs 10. Georgia - This will be a great game full of plenty offensive explosions, don't be surprised if Georgia wins this game, however I think the strength of schedule gives Washington the advantage. Pick: Washington
2. North Carolina vs 15. LIU-Brooklyn - Very simple just like 1-16 matchups, the Tar Heels are just way too talented to fall to the upstart Blackbirds. Pick: North Carolina
Best Game: Washington vs Georgia, by far the most two evenly matched teams in this region with plenty of offensive fire power.
Most likely to upset: Clemson could very will knock off no.5 WVU, the Mountaineers aren't the same team who reached the final four last year and could slip up early on.
West Region
1. Duke vs 16. Hampton - Again, 16's don't beat 1's. Pick: Duke
8. Michigan vs 9. Tennessee - Both teams have played inconsistent ball all year long, looking strong and weak at different times during the season. The Vols winning record against RPI top 50 is why i'll take them over the Wolverines. Pick: Tennessee
5. Arizona vs 12. Memphis - Memphis won their Conference USA Tournament, but Sophomore Derrick Williams will be extremely too much to handle for the Tigers who have just about zero big wins this year. Pick: Arizona
4. Texas vs 13. Oakland - The Longhorns looked dominating at times this year and could quite possibly reach the final four, while the Golden Grizzlies have one dominating player in Keith Benson whose averaging a double-double this season, Texas will be too much for the one dimensional Grizzlies. Pick: Texas
6. Cincinnati vs 11. Missouri - I love the Bearcats ability to frustarte opponents shooting the basket, they allow 58 points per game, defense wins in March. Pick: Cincinnati
3. Uconn vs 14. Bucknell - Bucknell seems to always land a major upset when they make their appearence in the tourny. Not this time however, Kemba Walker is a man on fire for the Huskies right now, they advance. Pick: Uconn
7. Temple vs 10. Penn State - The Nittany Lions stormed through the Big 10 Tournament, only to lose in the finals. They face a tough Temple team who is strong defensively, the Lions however are hot at the right moment. Pick: Penn State
2. San Diego State vs 15. North Colorado - It's the first ever trip to the Tournament for North Colorado, that and the fact they're a 15 playing a 2 is why they'll lose this game. Pick : San Diego State
Best Game: Michigan vs Tennessee, both teams mirror each other on both ends of the floor, this one is a 50-50 toss up.
Most likely to upset: Missouri is extremely battle tested and could break the Bearcats will with their constant pushing of the ball.
Southwest Region
1. Kansas vs 16. Boston - See previous 1-16 matchups. Pick: Kansas
8. Unlv vs 9. Illinois - The Rebels have a great backcourt led by two dynamic seniors in Oscar Bellfied and Trevon Willis, flying under the radar from the Mountain West Conference will help as well. Pick: Unlv
5. Vanderbilt vs 12 Richmond - You MUST always have one or two 12-5 Upsets, and this sure is one of them. Vanderbilt has been cold lately coming into the tourny while Richmond is a team who can rain 3's on an opponent in seconds notice, sign me up for this upset. Pick: Richmond
4. Louisville vs 13. Morehead St. - Louisville played a pretty hard schedule this year but navigated through it successfully thanks to Rick Pitino, the Cardinals are too smart to slip up early on. Pick: Louisville
6. Georgetown vs 11. VCU - Even with the injury of Chris Wright, the Hoyas have enough depth to sneak past Virginia Commenwealth who don't have much time to prepare after beating USC on wednesday. Pick: Georgetown
3. Purdue vs 14. St. Peters - St. Peters played very little superior competition this year, that will be their downfall as Purdue is 5-3 agaisnt RPI top 50. Pick: Purdue
7. Texas A&M vs 10. Florida State - Florida State is the best defensive team in the entire nation, due to the monster who is Chris Singleton, he's not healthy though since his injury in late February, thats why the Aggies will win this one. Pick: Texas A&M
2. Notre Dame vs 15. Akron - Notre Dame has had many impressive wins against tough competition this year, Akron won't defeat the fighting Irish. Pick: Notre Dame
Best Game: Louisville and Morehead State are More even than you think(get it). Kenneth Faried and Demonte Harper should make this game very fun to watch.
Most likely to upset: See Richmond vs Vanderbilt
Southeast Region
1. Pittsburgh vs 16. Unc-Asheville - Pitt is the weakest 1 seed in the tournament but no upset here. Pick: Pittsburgh
8. Butler vs 9. Old Dominion - Butler is nowhere near the team that lost to Duke in the finals last year, Old Dominion who could be Cinderella this year will take this one. Pick: Old Dominion
5. Kansas State vs 12. Utah State - My second huge upset this tournament, Jacob pullen of Kansas State will be sent home early thanks to the Vastly underated Utah State Aggies, finishing 30-3 with all 3 losses to top 25 teams on the road. Utah State is my cinderella pick for this year. Pick: Utah State
4. Wisconsin vs 13. Belmont - Belmont played one of the softest, if not the sofest schedule in the country. Close but no cigar. Pick: Wisconsin
6. St. Johns vs 11. Gonzaga - The Red Storm have surpised everyone in the country this year with explosive wins against top teams in the nation, especially Duke. They cruise past Gonzaga. Pick: St. Johns
3. Byu vs 14. Wofford - If Jimmer can score 52 points every single night, BYU will win the whole tournament. Pick: Byu
7. Ucla vs 10. Michigan State - Tom Izzo doesn't have his annual final four team, but he's too good of a coach to not make it out of the first round. Pick: Michigan State
2. Florida vs 15. Uscb - The Gators are perhaps the most over seeded team in the whole tourny, that won't stop them from blowing by the inferior Gauchos. Pick: Florida
Best Game: Utah State will shock the nation in an absolute thriller over Kansas State, Mark it Down!
Most Likely to Upset: Belmont could take advantage of a Badger squad with it's suffocating defense.
No comments:
Post a Comment