March Madness has arrived in no time, and there is nothing like it at all. A 3 ½ week grind towards the honor of being crowned National Champion. Unlike last year I won’t do an incredibly long 4 document preview since I have other projects going on. (Examples: NFL and MLB Free Agency plus Penn State Classics) Instead I will be previewing the tournament game by game. Although this should be easier to read. Enough introductions let’s get into the games
West
#1 Gonzaga vs #16 Georgia State: Last year’s paper champion is once again trying to make an effort to overcome the demons of losing in the National Championship game. Even if Jalen Suggs is gone, Gonzaga still has a majority of their team back for another chance at glory. Georgia State and its feel good story of a season will most likely be no match for the Bulldog Machine in the Round of 64. Unless we get a repeat of UMBC knocking off Virginia. My Pick: Gonzaga in a blowout.
#8 Boise State vs #9 Memphis: This game is the case of a battle tested team taking on an upstart. Boise State may have the higher seed and better talent but the thing that could kill them is the fact that they haven’t been challenged all season. Memphis on the other hand has had to overcome a 9-8 start plus multiple injuries. But the Tigers won 10 of their final 11 games and ended the Cinderella Story of SMU in the AAC Tournament. Another element that will come into play in this game is that Boise State runs a SmallBall offense, and against a team like Memphis points in the paint will be hard to come by. My Pick: Memphis winning in a classic.
#5 UConn vs #12 New Mexico State: On paper this should be a tune up game for UConn. A team that has come on strong nicely thanks to being near the top of the leaderboard in rebounds. The concern for the Huskies is that New Mexico State will test them in every way. To me it’s due to how deadly the Aggies backcourt is. The key matchup in this game is battle on the boards between 2 rebound heavy teams. My Pick: UConn holds off a late game rally by New Mexico State.
#4 Arkansas vs #13 Vermont: This is a matchup that I think is going to be much closer than expected. The Razorbacks are not known as a dominant team in terms of perimeter shooting and Vermont has some players that can shoot. I have no idea who to side with since Arkansas is battle tested despite their flaws. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m going for the upset. My Pick: Arkansas gets upset by Vermont.
#6 Alabama vs #11 Notre Dame or Rutgers: Alabama this year doesn’t have the juggernaut that they had last year but they are starting to click at the right time. In my opinion they match up better with Rutgers than they do with Notre Dame. I think it’s due to the experience of the Fighting Irish, but let’s just say they get Notre Dame. I think this will be an evenly matched game that could go either way. My Pick: Alabama doesn’t fold under the late game pressure and wins.
#3 Texas Tech vs #14 Montana State: Defense wins championships. And I think Texas Tech has the personnel to pull it off. Not to mention they have been able to handle some of the top teams in the BIG12. Montana State is a feel good story but I don’t see them keeping up with the defensive powerhouse of the Red Raiders. Although history has shown us in the tournament anything can happen. My Pick: Texas Tech shuts down Montana State.
#7 Michigan State vs #10 Davidson: The Spartans are an interesting team. It really depends on who you ask. Some say they are underachievers, others say that they can make noise. Davidson will be an interesting test for them since they can shoot. They are one of the hottest teams coming into the tournament and are looking to make another Cinderella Run like they did when they had Steph Curry. Overall I don’t see Michigan State losing early. My Pick: Michigan State wins in a shootout.
#2 Duke vs #15 CSU Fullerton: Coach K is on his last stand. He knows that this tournament is the end of his journey and they certainly have all of the hype coming in. Even if they have 5 players expected to enter the upcoming NBA Draft my biggest concern is consistency. There are too many times where they play up to their potential or get crushed by less superior teams. Although I don’t see a repeat of them getting beat by Florida Gulf Coast. My Pick: Duke begins their run with a dominant win.
East
#1 Baylor vs #16 Norfolk State: The defending National Champions are out to prove that their run last year wasn’t a fluke. The difference this year is that everyone thinks they are going to get eliminated early. Especially since they will most likely face Marquette or UNC in Round 2. Luckily for them their quadrant 1 record is one of the best in the nation. And against a 16 seed it should be in effect. My Pick: The Champs blowout Norfolk State.
#8 North Carolina vs #9 Marquette: 2 teams that had massive expectations at the beginning of the year did nothing but underachieve. But if there is any time to turn the tables this is it. North Carolina has been on a hot streak including the blowout against Duke in Coach K’s final home game. Marquette on the other hand in their defense has had one of the hardest schedules in the country. They had to face 12 ranked opponents this year. (They went 6-6) Although I don’t see the Golden Eagles knocking off the juggernaut of UNC. My Pick: North Carolina survives despite a bad start.
#5 Saint Mary’s vs #12 Indiana or Wyoming: Their win against Gonzaga a couple of weeks ago tells you all you need to know about Saint Mary’s being a strong team. Ever since that win, optimism at that school has been sky high. Their 3 point shooting is deadly and against either Indiana or Wyoming I think it will be just enough to get them over the top. The question I have is did they run out of gas? It depends on who they get if they move on. My Pick: Saint Mary’s begins their run in convincing fashion.
#4 UCLA vs #13 Akron: On paper this game should be a mismatch. UCLA and their experience should do wonders against Akron. But here is the thing. This is March Madness. Nothing is a guarantee in these games. To me the difference in this game is the size of the Bruins. I think if they can control the glass this should be an absolute beatdown. My Pick: UCLA destroys Akron in the paint all day long.
#6 Texas vs #11 Virginia Tech: Enter Sandman vs the Hook’em Horns. Now this is a matchup that I think is gonna be MustC TV. 2 of the hottest teams in the country going into the tournament. Both teams are much better than their records considering who they have beaten recently. To me this game is going to come down to who can outshoot the other team. Both of these offenses can put up points in a hurry. And I wonder how this is going to go. My Pick: The Hokies put the Longhorns to bed in a classic.
#3 Purdue vs #14 Yale: The #1 offense in the country is out to make serious noise this postseason. Although they get to face Azar Swain who is the only player this year to score over 1000 points, the Boilermakers are looking to put on a show inside a building that is known for great playoff moments in basketball. (Call me a biased Bucks fan all you want) To me if Purdue shuts down Swain, Yale is going to be doomed from the get go. My Pick: Swain scores over 20 yet Purdue still wins.
#7 Murray State vs #10 UCSF: Oh this is an interesting matchup. 2 lesser known schools with nothing to lose. Now there is something we need to see more in the NCAA. Both of these teams may lack big names, but these are 2 teams that could sneak up on some people come playoff time. The one difference in this matchup is that Murray State has more experience than UCSF, and that to me is going to be the factor. My Pick: The Racers race past the Dons in a back and forth game.
#2 Kentucky vs #15 Saint Peter’s: Kentucky is once again viewed as a solid National Championship contender but there are a few cracks in their machine. It’s mostly due to their record against Top 25 teams this year but Holy Cow did beat the tar out of Kansas earlier in the year. To me Saint Peter’s will put up a fight but in the end the Wildcats talent and experience will be too much. My Pick: UK begins the tournament with a bang.
South
#1 Arizona vs #16 Bryant or Wright State: I don’t get the hype around Arizona. I know they have one of the top teams on paper but part of me thinks that this is going to be a repeat of what happened 4 years ago. I know they have perhaps the biggest frontcourt in America, but we said this when they had DeAndre Ayton back in 2018. To me they are either getting blown out early or going deep. In this game meanwhile, it’s a tune up for the Round of 32 which is where the hard games set in. My Pick: The Wildcats dismantle the winner of the Bryant vs Wright State play in game.
#8 Seton Hall vs #9 TCU: Jamie Dixon against one of his former rivals at Pitt in Seton Hall. Even if the Horned Frogs limped into the tournament this is a team that will be out for blood. This is a game that can go either way thanks to the matchup of the Pirates high powered offense vs TCU’s aggressive defense. As they say, offense wins games, but defense wins championships. My Pick: Dixon gets revenge on Seton Hall.
#5 Houston vs #12 UAB: I don’t understand why Houston is getting slept on by the media. This is a team that made the Final 4 a year ago. And they are loaded to go for another deep run. In this game I think the Cougars have the edge thanks to the fact that they have been battle tested all year. And it probably continues despite UAB’s feel good story. My Pick: Houston goes out there and takes no prisoners against the Blazers.
#4 Illinois vs #13 Chattanooga: The Illini are looking for a much better ending this time especially after how they fell victim to Sister Jean and Loyola last year. Chattanooga is a good test for the contenders and pretenders. Illinois though has a devastating lineup that can score at any time. And I don’t see the Mocs keeping up with that. Although history has shown us that this is the kind of game where a Cinderella Story can begin. My Pick: Illinois survives a close one.
#6 Colorado State vs #11 Michigan: I don’t understand why people thought Juwan Howard would be the savior for Michigan. Wasn’t this team dominant before he got there? I mean if anything they have no expectations and are facing a team with little experience in Round 1. Although I could see this game going either way. Both teams aren’t that fast but both can score. For goodness sake can Michigan please not win a game in the tournament. My Pick: Michigan gets bailed out by REFBALL at the end of the game.
#3 Tennessee vs #14 Longwood: Rocky Top once again having massive expectations of a deep run in the tournament. Any team that runs a 3 guard offense is due for short term success but this time, THIS TIME it will be different. Plus with the guards they have this is a team that lives and dies by the 3 and against a team like Longwood who is on a hot streak it could be tough. Let me put it this way, if the Vols lose this game, their fans will never hear the end of this debate. Which is why I don’t see them losing early. My Pick: Tennessee topples the Lancers in a 3 point shooting display for both teams.
#7 Ohio State vs #10 Loyola Chicago: Now here is a matchup that I want to see. My pick to go to the National Title game last year against a team that’s starting to build a winning culture. Ohio State after a rough start has come on strong recently. The only problem for them is that the Basketball Gods are going to want Sister Jean to win. Besides that Loyola knows how to play in this tournament especially after making runs to the Sweet 16 in 2018, and 2021. Where does the wheel land? My Pick: The Ramblers beat the Buckeyes in a classic.
#2 Villanova vs #15 Delaware: Ah yes the Villanova Wildcats, a team that in my opinion is loaded for a chance at another National Championship. Now that they are healthy they should be very intriguing. To me it feels like Jay Wright has made it clear that he will make sure that his boys won’t lose focus especially against Delaware who has a high shooting percentage. Although I think NovaNation begins its road to New Orleans with a beatdown. My Pick: Nova cages the Blue Hens badly.
Midwest
#1 Kansas vs #16 Texas Southern or Texas A&M Corpus Christi: The Jayhawks are an interesting team. Yes they are a #1 seed but I’m just not sold on them yet. Maybe it’s because there are too many times where they play down to their competition. Although in the tournament they most oftenly get to the Sweet 16 or Elite 8. This is a battle tested group that knows how to win so they at least have that going for them. Hopefully my concerns are a thing of the past. My Pick: Whoever wins the play in round gets crushed by Kansas.
#8 San Diego State vs #9 Creighton: The name of the game in this matchup is defense. Both squads have been very dominant on that side of the ball against stronger teams. However this is going to be a game where one team has to lose. If anything both teams can stop the other but who will outduel the other on offense. That’s the question everyone has. My Pick: The Blue Jays outgun the Aztec defensive machine.
#5 Iowa vs #12 Richmond: 2 white hot teams with very good starting 5s going at it head to head. Iowa may be the better team on paper but I could see Richmond putting up a surprise or 2. However the Spiders are facing a Top 5 offense that has just run roughshod over their BIG10 opponents. And I think this continues. My Pick: The Hawkeyes light up the stat sheet yet loses by single digits.
#4 Providence vs #13 South Dakota State: The Big East champs during the regular season are looking to build off that momentum against a Cinderella Story in the Jackrabbits. Providence likes to blow people out but they do have a very good record in close games which I think either plays to their advantage, or comes back to bite them. Although the lack of turnovers forced by the Friars could be a problem, in this game I don’t think it matters. My Pick: Providence holds off South Dakota State despite a bad 1st Half.
#6 LSU vs #11 Iowa State: Out of all the 6v11 matchups I think this is a game that will most likely be an upset. LSU’s lack of experience thanks to how many freshmen are on the roster could be a bad sign right from the get go. This is also considering that Iowa State has one of the top defensive teams in the tourney. Although I will be salty if they go far considering that their best player transferred from Penn State after last year. My Pick: The Tigers get caged by the Cyclones
#3 Wisconsin vs #14 Colgate: The Badgers may not be the hottest team coming into the tournament thanks to a few tough games recently but they are still a squad that can make another deep run. They are one of the better ball controlling teams in the country and in March Madness you need that to succeed. Even if Colgate has won 19 of 20, Wisconsin I think will be able to hold them off despite a few nervous feelings during the game. My Pick: Bucky plucks the Raiders in a nailbiter.
#7 USC vs #10 Miami: Even if Evan Mobley is gone, the other half of the Mobley Dynasty is still going strong at USC. Like last year they do have the squad that makes another unexpected deep run but against a dark horse like the U it’s going to be tough. Especially since the Hurricanes are on a hot streak coming into the tournament. This is a game that I could see going either way and as much as it pains me to say it, I don’t see the Trojans losing in the 1st Round. My Pick: USC beats Miami in OT.
#2 Auburn vs #15 Jacksonville State: I don’t understand why Auburn has so much hype coming into the tournament. Yes their fanbase is very annoying in both football and basketball but they have a right to. The Tigers are a team that coasted through the regular season based on High End Talent, and if they’re going to avoid another early exit they will need to have some sense of consistency. Losing in the SEC Tournament in the 1st Round is a problem but against Jacksonville State I don’t see them repeating the same fate. My Pick: Auburn’s talent bails them out in a game that shouldn’t be close. PAUSE
Prediction: This massive tournament is one where I think many teams have a shot at making the Final 4 based on talent, coaching, luck, mythos, and whatever else you can think of. In my opinion the Final 4 teams will be Villanova, UCLA, Gonzaga, and USC. All 4 teams have experience, elite coaching, and the talent to get over the top. Hopefully I’m not wrong after Day 1 or 2.
Bragging Rights Sports 