MARCH MADNESS HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVED and it is time to breakdown the 68-team bracket and my take on who wins and the big upsets.
UPSET ALERT will get a breakdown and reason why they will win.
RUN FOR THE MONEY GAMES means the game is going to be closer than expected. Final score prediction must be between 1 to 4 points.
UPSET ALERT will get a breakdown and reason why they will win.
RUN FOR THE MONEY GAMES means the game is going to be closer than expected. Final score prediction must be between 1 to 4 points.
SOUTH REGIONAL GAMES
Opening Round Matchup - 16A Albany vs. 16B Mount St. Mary's
My take: Mount St. Marys | My final score: 79-75
Second Round - Upper Bracket
1 Florida vs. 16 Opening Round Winner
My take: Florida | My final score: 89-45
8 Colorado vs. 9 Pittsburgh
My take: Pittsburgh | My final score: 72-65
5 Virginia Commonwealth vs. 12 Stephen F. Austin (UPSET ALERT)
My take: Stephen F. Austin | My final score: 70-62
4 UCLA v. 13 Tulsa (UPSET ALERT)
My take: Tulsa | My final score: 69-68
Second Round - Lower Bracket
6 Ohio State vs. 11 Dayton
My take: Ohio State | My final score: 81-74
3 Syracuse vs. 14 Western Michigan
My take: Syracuse | My final score: 72-52
7 New Mexico vs. 10 Stanford (UPSET ALERT)
My take: Stanford | My final score: 79-57
2 Kansas vs. 15 Western Kentucky
My take: Kansas | My final score: 99-50
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West Regional Games
Second Round - Upper Bracket
1 Arizona vs. 16 Weber State (RUN FOR THE MONEY)
My take: Arizona | My final score: 69-67
8 Gonzaga vs. 9 Oklahoma State
My take: Gonzaga | My final score: 88-70
5 Oklahoma vs. 12 North Dakota State (UPSET ALERT)
My take: NDSU | My final score: 76-74
4 San Diego State vs. 13 New Mexico State
My take: SDSU | My final score: 80-70
Second Round - Lower Bracket
6 Baylor vs. 11 Nebraska (UPSET ALERT)
My take: Nebraska | My final score: 72-70
3 Creighton vs. 14 UL-Lafayette
My take: Creighton | My final score: 88-65
7 Oregon vs. 10 BYU
My take: Oregon | My final score: 89-70
2 Wisconsin vs. 15 American
My take: Wisconsin | My final score: 92-48
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Midwest Regional Games
Opening Round Matchup 1 - 16A Cal Poly vs. 16B Texas Southern
My take: Texas Southern | My final score: 63-50
Opening Round Matchup 2 - 12A NC State vs. 12B Xavier
My take: NC State | My final score: 77-75
Opening Round Matchup 3 - 11A Iowa vs. 11B Tennessee
My take: Iowa | My final score: 81-61
Second Round - Upper Bracket
1 Wichita State vs. 16 Cal Poly/Texas Southern Winner
My take: Wichita State | My final score: 107-62
8 Kentucky vs. 9 Kansas State
My take: Kentucky | My final score: 72-65
5 St. Louis vs. 12 NC State/Xavier Winner (RUN FOR THE MONEY)
My take: St. Louis | My final score: 82-79
4 Louisville vs. 13 Manhattan (RUN FOR THE MONEY)
My take: Louisville | My final score: 80-77
Second Round - Lower Bracket
6 Massachusetts vs. 11 Iowa/Tennessee (RUN FOR THE MONEY)
My take: Massachusetts | My final score: 71-69
3 Duke vs. 14 Mercer (RUN FOR THE MONEY)
My take: Duke | My final score: 67-65
7 Texas vs. 10 Arizona State (UPSET ALERT)
My take: Arizona State | My final score: 80-74
2 Michigan vs. 15 Wofford
My take: Michigan | My final score: 89-50
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East Regional Games
Second Round - Upper Bracket
1 Virginia vs. 16 Coastal Carolina (RUN FOR THE MONEY)
My take: Virginia | My final score: 76-74
8 Memphis vs. 9 George Washington (UPSET ALERT)
My take: George Washington | My final score: 79-60
5 Cincinnati vs. 12 Harvard (UPSET ALERT)
My take: Harvard | My final score: 79-65
4 Michigan St. 13 Delaware
My take: Michigan State | My final score: 67-57
Second Round - Lower Bracket
6 North Carolina vs. 11 Providence (UPSET ALERT)
My take: Providence | My final score: 80-72
3 Iowa State vs. 14 N.C. Central
My take: Iowa State | My final score: 79-70
7 Connecticut vs. 10 Saint Joseph's (RUN FOR THE MONEY)
My take: Connecticut | My final score: 70-69
2 Villanova vs. 15 UW-Milwaukee
My take: Villanova | My final score: 97-72
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UPSET ALERT GAMES
South Regional - 5 Virginia Commonwealth vs. 12 Stephen F. Austin
Why is this an upset? Stephen F. Austin comes in with a 28 GAME WINNING STREAK and they are just demolishing teams left and right. They had a pretty easy time getting out of their conference championship tournament. VCU could get a huge run for the money in this game. But I got Stephen F. Austin winning this game with their incredible defense and speed.
South Regional - 4 UCLA vs. 13 Tulsa
Why is this an upset? Tulsa comes in RED HOT and I do mean red hot. UCLA is coming in hurting.
South Regional - 7 New Mexico vs. 10 Stanford
Why is this an upset? New Mexico is a joke of a 7-seed and Stanford is coming in ready to play, they are fueled by great three point shooting and stifling defense
West Regional - 5 Oklahoma vs. 12 North Dakota State
Why is this an upset? Oklahoma got a questionably high seed despite not having such a hot season but NDSU is riding a high
West Regional - 6 Baylor vs. 11 Nebraska
Why is this an upset? Nebraska had an incredible season and Baylor is just going up and down.
Midwest Regional - 7 Texas vs. 10 Arizona State
Why is this an upset? Texas didn't even have a great season, they were basically nobodies this season but they still managed to get in. However, Arizona State is quite the formidable opponent. Texas will have their hands full with these guys.
East Regional - 8 Memphis vs. 9 George Washington
Why is this an upset? George Washington has talented big men and great 3-point shooting. Not to mention they are holding opponents under 41% shooting.
East Regional - 5 Cincinnati vs. 12 Harvard
Why is this an upset? Harvard had an excellent year with a tremendous defense and great inside shooting, their big weakness may be their 3 point shooting. Nonetheless, Cincinnati may have a tough time with these guys.
East Regional - 6 North Carolina vs. 11 Providence
Why is this an upset? Providence comes in having wiped Creighton's face on the floor. A stifling D, speedy players, and good coaching makes this a must-watch
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Field Analysis:
The field of 68 this year is quite modest with a lot of prime places for upsets. It's not a really advanced field, the mid-majors actually cleaned up house.
16 vs. 1 Analysis:
I think this may be the year we could see a 16-seed give a 1 a run for the money, that's why Weber State is my team to keep an eye on because of their 4th ranked 3 point shooting prowess and 12th ranked defense. Arizona was looking good down the road, but the losses really exposed their weaknesses. The Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina is running a high right now, explosive in-the-paint play, and they have lots of speed. They could definitely give Virginia a tough run in the second round.
Questionable calls
- Putting 3 opening games in the midwest region raises a ton of questions. The NCAA needs to put openers in all 4 regions.
- Louisville getting a 4 seed despite winning the American Athletic Conference.
- SMU? THEY GOT SNUBBED BAD!!!!! That was incredibly wrong to not put them in the tournament. According to Yahoo sports, it was their SOS that killed them.
- What about Green Bay? 24-6 doesn't get you a bid, just a welcome mat for the NIT. I bet the athletic department is FIGHTING mad over that.
- Coach K whining about mid-major conferences getting way too many bids, claiming the ACC deserves more. Actually Coach K, the ACC was pretty weak this year. They really should've received less than the 6 bids they got.
- Midwest Region #1 Wichita State was given a hard region to deal with... Teams like Kentucky, Louisville, Duke, and Michigan. I'll give you this much, if you want them to play the best? Then you pit them against the best. Wichita State was not disrespected at all, Charles Barkley, they were given the perfect bracket: A tough one.
- South and East Regional brackets seem like it has the most upset potentials with as many as 3 to 5 potential upsets.
Surprise moves:
- Atlantic 10 getting 6 bids..... Wait the Atlantic...10? Hey, they deserved it. Despite being just a mid-major, they slammed on the accelerator and went to work.
- Harvard getting a 12-seed. With how well they shoot the three, I think they deserved that.
Notes:
- Wichita State walks as the first undefeated team since 1991 (UNLV). At 34-0, while they may only be in a mid-major conference, they are a SERIOUS FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH!
- Only one team in the tourney bracket with a losing record (13-19): CAL POLY
- The average SOS of all 68 teams? 46.2
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My pick to win it all? I'll go with Wichita State.
But like I say: We'll see what happens.
My take: Michigan State | My final score: 67-57
Second Round - Lower Bracket
6 North Carolina vs. 11 Providence (UPSET ALERT)
My take: Providence | My final score: 80-72
3 Iowa State vs. 14 N.C. Central
My take: Iowa State | My final score: 79-70
7 Connecticut vs. 10 Saint Joseph's (RUN FOR THE MONEY)
My take: Connecticut | My final score: 70-69
2 Villanova vs. 15 UW-Milwaukee
My take: Villanova | My final score: 97-72
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UPSET ALERT GAMES
South Regional - 5 Virginia Commonwealth vs. 12 Stephen F. Austin
Why is this an upset? Stephen F. Austin comes in with a 28 GAME WINNING STREAK and they are just demolishing teams left and right. They had a pretty easy time getting out of their conference championship tournament. VCU could get a huge run for the money in this game. But I got Stephen F. Austin winning this game with their incredible defense and speed.
South Regional - 4 UCLA vs. 13 Tulsa
Why is this an upset? Tulsa comes in RED HOT and I do mean red hot. UCLA is coming in hurting.
South Regional - 7 New Mexico vs. 10 Stanford
Why is this an upset? New Mexico is a joke of a 7-seed and Stanford is coming in ready to play, they are fueled by great three point shooting and stifling defense
West Regional - 5 Oklahoma vs. 12 North Dakota State
Why is this an upset? Oklahoma got a questionably high seed despite not having such a hot season but NDSU is riding a high
West Regional - 6 Baylor vs. 11 Nebraska
Why is this an upset? Nebraska had an incredible season and Baylor is just going up and down.
Midwest Regional - 7 Texas vs. 10 Arizona State
Why is this an upset? Texas didn't even have a great season, they were basically nobodies this season but they still managed to get in. However, Arizona State is quite the formidable opponent. Texas will have their hands full with these guys.
East Regional - 8 Memphis vs. 9 George Washington
Why is this an upset? George Washington has talented big men and great 3-point shooting. Not to mention they are holding opponents under 41% shooting.
East Regional - 5 Cincinnati vs. 12 Harvard
Why is this an upset? Harvard had an excellent year with a tremendous defense and great inside shooting, their big weakness may be their 3 point shooting. Nonetheless, Cincinnati may have a tough time with these guys.
East Regional - 6 North Carolina vs. 11 Providence
Why is this an upset? Providence comes in having wiped Creighton's face on the floor. A stifling D, speedy players, and good coaching makes this a must-watch
----
Field Analysis:
The field of 68 this year is quite modest with a lot of prime places for upsets. It's not a really advanced field, the mid-majors actually cleaned up house.
16 vs. 1 Analysis:
I think this may be the year we could see a 16-seed give a 1 a run for the money, that's why Weber State is my team to keep an eye on because of their 4th ranked 3 point shooting prowess and 12th ranked defense. Arizona was looking good down the road, but the losses really exposed their weaknesses. The Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina is running a high right now, explosive in-the-paint play, and they have lots of speed. They could definitely give Virginia a tough run in the second round.
Questionable calls
- Putting 3 opening games in the midwest region raises a ton of questions. The NCAA needs to put openers in all 4 regions.
- Louisville getting a 4 seed despite winning the American Athletic Conference.
- SMU? THEY GOT SNUBBED BAD!!!!! That was incredibly wrong to not put them in the tournament. According to Yahoo sports, it was their SOS that killed them.
- What about Green Bay? 24-6 doesn't get you a bid, just a welcome mat for the NIT. I bet the athletic department is FIGHTING mad over that.
- Coach K whining about mid-major conferences getting way too many bids, claiming the ACC deserves more. Actually Coach K, the ACC was pretty weak this year. They really should've received less than the 6 bids they got.
- Midwest Region #1 Wichita State was given a hard region to deal with... Teams like Kentucky, Louisville, Duke, and Michigan. I'll give you this much, if you want them to play the best? Then you pit them against the best. Wichita State was not disrespected at all, Charles Barkley, they were given the perfect bracket: A tough one.
- South and East Regional brackets seem like it has the most upset potentials with as many as 3 to 5 potential upsets.
Surprise moves:
- Atlantic 10 getting 6 bids..... Wait the Atlantic...10? Hey, they deserved it. Despite being just a mid-major, they slammed on the accelerator and went to work.
- Harvard getting a 12-seed. With how well they shoot the three, I think they deserved that.
Notes:
- Wichita State walks as the first undefeated team since 1991 (UNLV). At 34-0, while they may only be in a mid-major conference, they are a SERIOUS FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH!
- Only one team in the tourney bracket with a losing record (13-19): CAL POLY
- The average SOS of all 68 teams? 46.2
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My pick to win it all? I'll go with Wichita State.
But like I say: We'll see what happens.
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