The madness of March is finally here. Yesterday, the NCAA released the 68 teams that will participate in one of the greatest events in sports. The NCAA vindicated that they are far from perfect. While, the NCAA did a solid job nailing the top seeds. They certainly whiffed on seeding the rest the field. How is Wichita State a 10 seed? Why is Wisconsin an 8 seed, but Minnesota is a 5 when Wisconsin won the Big Ten regular season? Why is Vanderbilt in the tournament? They lost to Missouri, they should be ineligible. Anywho, where is what the East Region looks like
1) Villanova
2) Duke
3) Baylor
4) Florida
5) Virginia
6) SMU
7) South Carolina
8) Wisconsin
9) Virginia Tech
10) Marquette
11) Providence/USC
12) UNC-Wilmington
13) East Tennessee State
14) New Mexico State
15) Troy
16) Mount St. Mary's/New Orleans
PLAY-IN GAMES
#11 Seed-Providence over USC
I think the Friars are significantly better than USC. The Trojans are in the tourney because their weak non-con schedule padded their record. They only had two wins over tournament teams (SMU and UCLA). Providence played in a lot more competitive conference and were 7-8 against tourney teams.
#16 Seed-New Orleans over Mount St. Mary's
Not going to lie, I know very little about these teams, so just guessing here. Give me the Privateers
ROUND OF 64
#1 Villanova over #16 New Orleans
A 16 seed has never beat a top seed and I don't think it happens to the reigning champs. Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson won't let it.
#8 Wisconsin over #9 Virginia Tech
No way in hell should the Badgers have been seeded 8. Tough luck for the Hokies. Bronson Koenig, Ethan Happ and Nigel Hayes get it done for Bucky Badger.
#12 UNC-Wilmington over #5 Virginia
FIRST UPSET of the tourney. This Virginia has the making of a team destined to be upset and the Seahawks are just the team to do it. Solid guard play and decent three pointers coming off the bench.
#13 East Tennessee State over #4 Florida
I mentioned the other day that I like ETSU. TJ Cromer can go off any given night and they have a solid big man in Tevin Glass. The Gators are dinged up.
#6 SMU over #11 Providence
SMU is probably more deserving a four or five seed. Semi Ojeyele is a stud. I'll take the Mustangs.
#3 Baylor over #14 New Mexico State
I would not be surprised to see Baylor get bounced in the first round for what seems like the 10th year in a row, but this team is too talented to do that.
#10 Marquette over #7 South Carolina
South Carolina is too much of a defensive-minded team, Marquette spreads the court well and is the better team
#2 Duke over #15 Troy
Blue Devils should win easy.
ROUND OF 32
#1 Villanova over #8 Wisconsin
I would not be surprised if Wisconsin bounces Villanova. That would be a fitting way for the Badgers to stick it to the committee. Love to see a Josh Hart/Bronson Koenig match-up.
#12 UNC-Wilmington over #13 East Tennessee State
The Seahawks advance to the Sweet Sixteen and coach Kevin Keatts becomes an even hotter commodity for major programs
#6 SMU over #3 Baylor
This could be a fun matchup. Throwback to the Southwest Conference. I really like SMU. The match-up between Ojeyele and Jonathan Motley should definitely be worth watching.
#2 Duke over #10 Marquette
Coach K against his former protege Steve Wojchiechowski. Marquette is good, but Duke is better and too talented.
SWEET SIXTEEN
#1 Villanova over #12 UNC-Wilmington
The cinderella ride of the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks comes to an end in New York City at the hands of the reigning champs. Villanova is just too much.
#2 Duke over #6 SMU
This matchup could be one of the best in the Sweet Sixteen. Both teams are really talented, but I think Grayson Allen, Jayson Tatum and co. get it done for the Blue Devils.
ELITE EIGHT
#2 Duke over #1 Villanova
I really hope neither of these teams screw this up because I would love to see this in Madison Square Garden for the right to go to the Final Four. No team has repeated since Florida did it in 2007 and it will have to wait at least one more year. Duke is playing like everyone would expect a Duke team to play come tournament time. I think this team is better than the championship team from two years ago. If Grayson Allen can keep his screwed on, but even then Luke Kennard, Frank Jackson, Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum might still be able to get it done against Nova.
PREDICTED ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM
Grayson Allen (Duke)
Jayson Tatum (Duke)
Josh Hart (Villanova)
Jalen Brunson (Villanova)
Most-Outstanding Player-Luke Kennard (Duke)
PREDICTED ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM
Grayson Allen (Duke)
Jayson Tatum (Duke)
Josh Hart (Villanova)
Jalen Brunson (Villanova)
Most-Outstanding Player-Luke Kennard (Duke)
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