MIDWEST REGIONAL PREVIEW
The Jayhawks have a lot smoother road to the Final Four than they have in recent years. The weakest number two seed resides in their bracket, a banged up three seed and not to mention they get to play a regional final about 90 minutes from Lawrence. Things look primed for the Jayhawks to cut down the nets in Kansas City on their way to the Final Four in Phoenix. Here is what the region looks like
1) Kansas
2) Louisville
3) Oregon
4) Purdue
5) Iowa State
6) Creighton
7) Michigan
8) Miami
9) Michigan State
10) Oklahoma State
11) Rhode Island
12) Nevada
13) Purdue
14) Iona
15) Jacksonville State
16) UC Davis/NC Central
Play-In Games
#16 North Carolina Central over UC-Davis
This game really doesn't matter because whoever wins earns the right to get thumped by Kansas on Friday. I think that honor goes to North Carolina Central
ROUND of 64
#1 Kansas over #16 North Carolina Central
If a top seed is to lose in the first round, I feel like it would be Kansas, but for the sake of my friends who are Jayhawk fans, I don't think that's going to happen.
#9 Michigan State over #8 Miami
This should be an exciting game, Miami is probably more talented, but Michigan State is better coached. Tom Izzo takes his team to a match-up with Rock Chalk.
#5 Iowa State over #12 Nevada
Both teams shoot the three ball really well, but Iowa State is playing really hot right now. The 'Clones get it done in the hometown of Deontae Burton and Donovan Jackson
#4 Purdue over #13 Vermont
What the hell is a Catamount? Well, it doesn't really matter because Caleb Swanigan will carve through the Vermont Catamount defense.
#11 Rhode Island over #6 Creighton
Rhode Island looked really good in the Atlantic 10 tournament and Creighton is going to miss Maurice Watson.
#3 Oregon over #14 Iona
The Ducks have enough to get past Iona even if they are banged up.
#7 Michigan over #10 Oklahoma State
The battle between Michigan's Derrick Walton and Oklahoma State's Juwan Evans should be a load of fun. Michigan is playing too well right now and the Pokes just don't play enough defense.
#2 Louisville over #15 Jacksonville State.
The Gamecock's first ever trip to the big dance ends in the first round. No upset here.
ROUND OF 32
#1 Kansas over #9 Michigan State.
If there is any coach who can take an average tournament team and upset the second best team in the tournament, it would be Tom Izzo, but I think the Jayhawks are just way too talented and advance to Kansas City.
#4 Purdue over #5 Iowa State.
The dream game of Iowa State-Kansas in Kansas City will never happen. Purdue has a manster named Caleb Swanigan and the Cyclones have struggled against bigs all year. Boilermakers advance.
#11 Rhode Island over #3 Oregon
The Ducks are without big Chris Boucher, so I think the Rams can get their big, Hassan Martin rolling and the Rams upset the Ducks to advance to the Sweet Sixteen
#7 Michigan over #2 Louisville.
I have not been sold on Louisville as a two seed at all. They look very vulnerable and Michigan is playing really well. The Wolverines get revenge on Louisville for beating them in the 2013 title game.
SWEET SIXTEEN
#1 Kansas over #4 Purdue
This game should be fun, but Frank Mason III and company are simply just more talented than the Boilermakers.
#7 Michigan over #11 Rhode Island
From almost having to forfeit the Big Ten Tournament to winning it to the Elite Eight. That is how highly I think of the Wolverines
ELITE EIGHT
#1 Kansas over #7 Michigan
The Jayhawks will reach their first Final Four since 2012, unless Trey Burke comes back and starts throwing up 35 foot jumpers, I'll take the Jayhawks to win this region.
This is a quality piece of writing. I enjoyed it.
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