The NCAA Tournament is upon us. 68 teams enter and only 1 comes away with the title of College Basketball’s best. Just like last year we will be doing game by game previews to make things easier instead of a team by team preview. (It took me 3 days to work on the 2021 version compared to the 36 hours I have put into this one) Anyways, who do we have this time?
South
#1 Alabama vs #16 Texas A&M-CC: Don’t let the actions of Brandon Miller off the court fool you, this man is a potentially generational talent that has been the driving force towards the team with the highest seed in the whole tournament. The last couple of years for Bama have been underwhelming in March, but they haven’t had a team like this. Mark Sears and Noah Clowney are also coming through on both sides of the ball this season. Plus their bench has been tremendous. If they were playing A&M this would be a hard fought game but they are playing the A&M team from Corpus Christi. Should be smooth sailing for the Tide. Prediction: Alabama goes on late 1st Half run to pull away from pesky Islanders.
#8 Maryland vs #9 West Virginia: If ever there was a game on the South side of the bracket that on paper should be evenly matched this is it. Press Virginia is looking for another deep run even if they had a shaky start to the season. The duo of Erik Stevenson and Tre Mitchell have been as advertised on offense over the last 10 games each averaging over 15 a game. However the Terps are also potent with 4 starters averaging north of 10 a game as well, including Jahmir Young who has become one of the most underrated point guards in the country. Now who do I side with, do I be realistic or be loyal to my home state? Prediction: Maryland survives in a last minute thriller.
#5 San Diego State vs #12 Charleston: The Aztecs like most years are going into the tournament with all the momentum. But something always isn’t right with them once the games are actually played. On paper this is one of the better defensive teams in the country, allowing 63.5 PPG. However a conservative attack on offense might be their downfall. And Charleston has nothing to lose. They’re coming off a conference championship and usually that carries over into the tournament. I hate to say it but the San Diego Special could be coming early. Prediction: Charlestown shocks the Aztecs with a huge run to close the game
#4 Virginia vs #13 Furman: Tony Bennent is one of the most experienced coaches in College Basketball, the championship season in 2019 is evidence of that. This time around Virginia is considered a dark horse compared to previous years. That’s because they don’t have many top scoring options, but they more than make up for that with a defense that has been the best in the ACC all season long. And they will be going up against the highest scoring team in the Southern Conference which could be tricky. Especially since Mike Bothwell led the conference in scoring and 3 pointers. Even if Furman has a high scoring offense, it may not be enough against the best team they’ve faced all year. Prediction: Furman’s Cinderella run ends thanks to a Cavalier brick wall.
#6 Creighton vs #11 NC State: This game I think will be closer than what the odds makers project it to be. Creighton, don’t get me wrong, is a solid team with a physical defense, and is well known for capitalizing on opponents mistakes. However they do have a tendency to play down to competition in March. Luckily for them NC State hasn’t beaten a ranked opponent all season long even if Terquavion Smith has enjoyed an excellent season. Even if the Wolfpack put up a fight, it probably won’t be enough. Prediction: Blue Jays hold off late comeback in final seconds.
#3 Baylor vs #14 UCSB: On paper this should be a mismatch. Baylor is looking for another deep playoff run, and they have one of the more complete teams in the BIG12. However something didn’t look right in the conference tournament. They had trouble scoring against Iowa State in two games they really should have won. But sometimes teams get a fresh slate of momentum once March Madness begins. Even if UCSB dominated the Big West, the Bears, if anything, should be able to avoid an early exit, right? Prediction: Baylor plays below their abilities yet REFBALL bails them out.
#7 Missouri vs #10 Utah State: A matchup that many pundits, myself included, see as an upset special. It really depends on who you ask, that is. Missouri has been impressive as of late excluding a loss against Alabama in the SEC tournament. Kobe Brown has become one of the more versatile players in the country, and has been on a tear as of late. But the lack of depth around him could be the problem in a matchup like this. Same goes for Utah and Steven Ashworth, hot streak going into the tournament and they have a realistic chance at winning in Round 1. However this might come down to who has the best player. Prediction: Brown outduels Ashworth as the Tigers hold off the Aggies.
#2 Arizona vs #15 Princeton: Until this year it had been a rough go for Arizona Basketball especially after how weak their recruits were for the last 3+ years. Now they are back to being a serious contender. Their three guard offense has been suffocating teams all season long, plus the duo of Azuolas Tubelis and Oumar Ballo have been anchors on defense. They have a complete roster that could pose a challenge against some of the top teams in the tournament. However they do not want to be the next in a line of 2 seeds falling in the opening round over the past 2 years. And Princeton won’t be afraid to be the ones pulling the shocking or so we think. Prediction: Arizona wipes the floor with Princeton
Midwest
#1 Houston vs #16 Northern Kentucky: If you were to ask someone who knows little about College Basketball that Houston had the #1 team in the country for most of the year, they would tell you “That is very shocking.” Don’t let the weak competition in the AAC fool you, the Cougars have been a machine that stops for nothing. (YoYo Sound) That was until they got smoked by Memphis in the conference championship. Any time a team like this faces adversity it either breaks them or makes them stronger. With Marcus Sasser and J’Wan Roberts leading the way, they could make some noise in the postseason like they did a couple of years ago. The question is, can they compete with the big boys despite a weaker conference. Prediction: Houston dominates Northern Kentucky in Round 1.
#8 Iowa vs #9 Auburn: For Auburn it has been a down year for them especially after the expectations they had coming in. Although they have a chance to redeem themselves in a big way against an equal opponent in Iowa. The Tigers D hasn’t been the wall it was a season ago, but they have the ability to show flashes of that form. They’ll need to because Kris Murray of the Hawkeyes has been perhaps the most underrated player in the BIG10 this season. And as pointed out earlier usually the team with the best player on the court ends up the winner. Although in this case, I don’t believe that. Prediction: Auburn rallies from an early hole to beat Iowa in a classic.
#5 Miami vs #12 Drake: This may be a 5 vs 12 matchup but according to the oddsmakers they see this as an even match on paper. Its probably because there are still those that are pessimistic towards Miami after losing at home to Florida State and getting bounced early in the ACC tournament. That and Drake has a potent scorer in Tucker DeVries who has led the Bulldogs on a tear through the Missouri Valley Conference over the past month. They may be the lower seed but Drake has all the momentum going into the playoffs, while the Hurricanes want to avoid yet another early exit. Prediction: Drake upsets Miami despite getting outrebounded
#4 Indiana vs #13 Kent State: Just like the Miami vs Drake matchup, this one appears to be closer than we think. However it’s the Hoosiers that boast the best player in Trayce Jackson-Davis who is a double double machine almost every time he steps on the court. The issue I have with Indiana is going to be their bench although if it is playing at a high level then they could make serious noise. Although Kent State has won 22 of their last 24 games going back to December and just smoked the MAC Conference. Yep this is going to be another upset. Prediction: Kent State’s hot streak continues as Indiana reveals itself to be media frauds.
#6 Iowa State vs #11 Pittsburgh: Another matchup on the Midwest side of the bracket that looks to be evenly matched on paper. It was looking ugly for Pitt especially after getting spanked by Duke in the ACC tournament, but then you realize oh right they have a rock solid defense that shut down Mississippi State in the 11 seed play in game. Their 1st Round matchup will be against a Cyclones team looking to bounce back after also getting smacked in the BIG12 tourney by the defending champs. Regardless of who wins, the loser is going to be salty for months on end. As long as Pitt doesn’t make it further then Penn State I’m ok with it. Prediction: My point stands as Iowa State exposes Pitt’s weak offense.
#3 Xavier vs #14 Kennesaw State: Just like Arizona, Xavier has gone through a rough period after enjoying some delicious Boudreau Barbeque during the 2018 Tournament. This time they don’t want another epic collapse to prevent them from a deep run. They want at least two wins in March by any means necessary. Luckily for the Musketeers they have the guard depth and balanced scoring from Souley Boum, and Colby Jones to carry them this time around. Barring any shenanigans against the Owls in the 1st Round, Xavier should have a date with Iowa State or Pitt if they manage to play to their potential. Although Kennesaw State does have a similar background as Oral Roberts and Saint Peters. Prediction: Xavier doesn’t eat the Boudreau Barbeque and crushes the Owls.
#7 Texas A&M vs #10 Penn State: Now here’s a matchup that I want to see. Two teams coming off excellent weekends in their conference tournaments with the momentum in the world. We are living in a world where Penn State not Villanova is the most famed Pennsylvania team in the tourney. The emergences of Jalen Pickett, and Seth Lundy have carried the Nittany Lions this season as well as Micah Shrewsberry becoming a cult hero in State College. However they should get too high because Texas A&M has also been a major storyline over the past week. Their defense and high quality of play from Wade Taylor got them into the SEC Championship game in a big way. Who do I choose? Should I be biased or logistical? You decide. Prediction: Penn State’s Cinderella run continues in another thriller.
#2 Texas vs #15 Colgate: It’s interesting that the Longhorns have been this good even if Shaka Smart is no longer there. When you destroy Kansas not once but twice in a 7 day span there is a good chance you will be one of the favorites for the National Title. With their three guard offense dominating almost everyone over the past two months Texas has a chance to make some serious noise in the tournament. The only problem for them will be the lack of a true center, but in college nowadays you don’t really need that. The only problem for the Longhorns in this round is that they are facing a Colgate team that has won 21 of 22 despite weak competition. Teams with nothing to lose usually do well in March. Prediction: The Raiders feel good story gets massacred by Longhorn insufferability.
East
#1 Purdue vs #16 Fair Dickinson: I saw this team against Penn State in the BIG10 Championship Game and boy oh boy was I impressed even if they nearly blew that game. In my opinion they have the most potent player in the entire country for crying out loud. That’s right, Zach Edey is a generational talent that has destroyed anyone in his path and is a rebounding and jump hook machine. (Projected #3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft in my book) His supporting cast of Braden Smith, and Fletcher Loyer came up big in Chicago during the BIG10 tourney. This may be the best team Purdue has seen in almost 20 years and they’ve looked that way other than facing their brothers across the state. Fair Dickinson, I’m sorry but you are about to get mugged by this giant of a center the Boilermakers have. Prediction: Edey drops another 30-10 performance in a blowout win.
#8 Memphis vs #9 FAU: Just like most of the 8 vs 9 matchups over the years, the experts have this being a tightly contested game. I however do not agree with this. The reasoning is because Memphis just dominated the #1 team in the nation in the AAC Championship by shutting down the duo of Sasser and Roberts. When a team gives up the fewest points in the conference and is Top 10 in the country in defense, and Kendric Davis averages more than 22 PPG, yeah there’s a good chance you can go far. But their opponents may be just as potent. Florida Atlantic has won 7 straight including the championship in Conference USA. But they haven’t faced a brick wall like this one. Prediction: The Tigers defense shuts down the Owls in crunchtime.
#5 Duke vs #12 Oral Roberts: When Coach K retired last year, and a slow start to this season ensued, you’d think that the empire of College Basketball over the past 30 years would fall right? WRONG! Instead Duke has made almost everyone eat their words with even more heroics when people least expect it. The Blue Devils have won 9 in a row and just swept the ACC Championship with ease. Like most years, Duke has been scrappy and they have multiple scoring options in crunchtime even if the names have changed over the years. Well this should be easy in this round right. You’d also be wrong. You see Oral Roberts, the Cinderella Story in 2021 is back again and looking to play spoiler. The Golden Eagles are storming into Orlando on a 17 game win streak and have all the momentum in the world. White hot team vs the perennial juggernaut. OH BOY! Prediction: Duke wins this shootout in overtime
#4 Tennessee vs #13 Louisiana: After seeing their football team have a chance at glory only for the gods to troll them, Rocky Top is trying to not let that happen again. The Vols don’t have a headliner, but they have balance and are hard to beat if they get hot. Although that wasn’t the case in the SEC tournament. As for this game, on paper they should dominate the Cajuns but Jordan Brown might have other plans if he keeps up this tear he’s been on over the past two weeks. If Brown is contained, there should be no reason why Tennessee loses this one. Prediction: Brown gets his 20 points and 8 assists, but Louisiana still loses by double figures.
#6 Kentucky vs #11 Providence: When you think of university recognition in terms of basketball you’d think this would be a close game. However I don’t see it that way. The reasoning is because the Friars after their fast start have fallen on hard times. They laid a massive egg at the end of the regular season and were trounced in the Big East tournament right away. And that’s with Bryce Hopkins averaging close to a double double. Here’s the fun part, they get to face a program that has plenty of experience in the NCAA tourney. Kentucky may not be what they were, but you can never take them lightly especially as the underdog. Prediction: The nightmare in Providence continues, as the Wildcats pound them all day long.
#3 Kansas State vs #14 Montana State: 2 weeks ago it looked as if Kansas State was trending towards being a trendy pick for a run towards the Final 4. However they hit two bad games including one of them against TCU. But this is their chance to redeem themselves. Keyontae Johnson isn’t one of the most dominant scorers in the BIG12 for nothing. And Markquis Nowell is not too far behind. They have the talent to make a run but consistency will be the issue. There have been times where they can light up the scoreboard, only to falter in big spots. Pick a form! They’ll have to do it quickly because Montana State has won 22 of 26 after a 3-5 start. And they’ll be hungry for an upset. The question I have is this. Which K-State team will we see? Prediction: The high scoring K-State team shows up and they win a shootout in the Battle of the Cats.
#7 Michigan State vs #10 USC: You know, there isn’t a bigger 1st Round matchup in my opinion than USC against Michigan State. Tom Iso and the Spartians are trying to recapture their old glory with a deep run no matter what the cost is. Even if they blew a winnable game against their longtime rivals in the Buckeyes, they should be able to get back on their feet quickly. That would be if they weren’t facing a USC team ready to prove their doubters wrong. The Trojans may not be as potent as they were under the Mobley Dynasty, but they are also looking for revenge after getting sent home early in the PAC12 postseason. The good thing about this matchup is that it’s only a sign of things to come once the Trojans and their LA rivals join the BIG10 in a couple of years. Prediction: Michigan State wins in a defensive struggle.
#2 Marquette vs #15 Vermont: Who saw this coming back in the Fall? The Marquette Golden Eagles went from almost a decade of mediocrity back to 2003 form. That’s what happens when an accomplished coach like Shaka Smart comes in and changes the entire culture. Cam Jones and Tyler Kolek have led the way and they have tremendous depth behind them. And it was on full display in the Big East tourney. Some pundits are calling this Marquette squad the best team they’ve had since the Al McGuire years and that’s saying something. The last thing ESPN needs is the other tennant at Fiserv Forum to win it all this year, oh just think of the possibilities of both teams winning it this year. (I have friends that go to Marquette and are on the team by the way) On paper they should dominate Vermont in a big way even if the Catamounts have a feel good story Prediction: The Golden Eagles pick up where they left off at MSG in a big way.
West:
#1 Kansas vs #16 Howard: The quest towards a repeat is hard on its own especially in College Basketball. Many teams have tried and only a few have been able to pull it off. That’s what the Jayhawks are trying to do. The only issue is that Bill Self has been in bad health as of late but he should be back on the sidelines sometime in the tournament. Just like last year they have a potent team that can make some noise in March. With Jalen Wilson increasing his draft stock with a tremendous season, plus a great supporting cast around him they should at least make the Sweet 16 at minimum. As long as they don’t lay an egg like they did against Texas they’ll be ok. Just don’t let it be against Howard. Prediction: Kansas begins title defense in dominating fashion.
#8 Arkansas vs #9 Illinois: Both of these teams are trying to get out of a slump any way they can. Arkansas has gotten smoked by the elites in the SEC after a fast start to the season. Illinois is hoping to do the same thing especially after losing to Penn State in Chicago. Both of these teams are known for rebounding and scoring in the paint so it’ll be interesting to see who wins this battle in the trenches. I feel like whoever knocks down the most threes in this game will win in the end. If it comes down to that the Illini have a clear advantage in that department. Prediction: Illinois rallies from a late deficit to win in the final seconds.
#5 Saint Marys #12 VCU: Out of all the underdogs in the tournament, if there is any team that I think could pull off a deep run it’s VCU. Did you see what they did in the Atlantic 10 Tournament? They wiped the floor with most of their competition with defense, and mistake free possessions. They don’t have a headliner but there really aren’t any weaknesses as far as I’m concerned. But they will come up against a Gaels team that is the definition of being ticked off. They got smacked by Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference Title Game, and they want to prove that the whipping they got from the Bulldogs was a fluke. This should be an interesting prediction. Prediction: VCU uses a large run in the 2nd Half to pull away thanks to the 3 ball.
#4 UConn vs #13 Iona: Last year UConn was seen as a candidate to make a deep run, only for them to fall against New Mexico State. This time the Huskies are trying to not let that happen again. They’ve been on a roll as of late. Besides a tough loss to Marquette, UConn is trending in the right direction. However they shouldn’t get super confident because Iona has won 14 in a row coming in and as mentioned earlier underdogs with long win streaks are dangerous commodities. Will the trend continue? I just don’t know anymore. Prediction: Iona blows late lead, as UConn shuts down their offensive attack.
#6 TCU vs #11 Arizona State: Boy has Jamie Dixon been here before. Despite his outstanding track record if there’s one thing he’s known for in this tournament its being the definition of a mystery box. His teams either get knocked out in the first two days of the tournament or make a deep run. There’s no inbetween. This time TCU is coming in as an underrated power after taking their inner state rival in Texas to the limit. They have a Big 3 in Mike Miles, Damion Baugh, and Emanuel Miller, but will they be able to overcome the early exit of last year? With an Arizona State team coming off a blowout of Nevada they should be very careful especially since the Sun Devils have played some hard fought games as of late. Do I choose experience or Ball So Hard U? You know where I’m going with this. Prediction: Jamie Dixon underachieves again as Ball So Hard University outmuscles them in the end.
#3 Gonzaga vs #14 Grand Canyon: The last few years have meant nothing for Gonzaga despite their success. Anything less than a National Championship is unacceptable and they know it. This time they are led by perhaps the best player in the West Coast Conference in Drew Timme averaging a career high 20 PPG and being just as potent on the other side of the ball. Led by Timme, the Bulldogs have won 23 of their last 25 games and look to be a serious wrecking machine in the tourney. They’ll be matched up in this round against a Grand Canyon team that is also on a hot streak. Fresh off a Western Athletic Conference Title, the Lopes are in search of trying to do what no one thought would be possible. Beat the Zags in the opening round. The bad news for them is that Gonzaga usually doesn’t get eliminated until later. Prediction: The Dawgs come out of the blocks on fire and maintain that big lead.
#7 Northwestern vs #10 Boise State: 2 struggling teams and only one of them comes out with more false hope is most likely getting their asses kicked by UCLA. To say that Northwestern is limping into the tourney would be an understatement. Yes the brutal schedule of theirs to end the year but they did this to themselves. They blew winnable games against Maryland and Penn State which easily cost them a higher seed. The same can be said about Boise State although they haven’t been that rusty though. But to be fair both of these teams have nothing to lose which should make for an interesting matchup. Now who gets out of their slide? Prediction: The Broncos shove the depressing trumpet down the throats of the Wildcats.
#2 UCLA vs #15 UNC Asheville: Other than a close loss to Arizona in the PAC12 Title Game, UCLA has been on a tear and looks to be one of the favorites to make the Final 4. Jamie Jaquez, he and his scrappy playstyle and 3 dimensional scoring has been the engine that has made this team go. The cast around him isn’t far behind. They have two excellent rotations to work with and those are the teams that are dangerous. UNC Asheville I know you’ve had a great season but the Basketball Gods won’t let your season continue unless every single thing goes your way. Good luck. Prediction: The Bruins run circles around the Dogs all game long. PAUSE.
Prediction: This is a very deep pool of teams in each region, especially in the Midwest. No prediction for a Final 4 is a safe one so let’s go with 4 teams that look the most complete and/or have been down this road before. That being Virginia, Texas, Marquette, and Kansas. I can’t wait for Purdue, Gonzaga, Houston, and Bama fans to tell me that I’m wrong. Any minute now.
Bragging Rights Sports 