Oh yes. The brackets. That is a thing isn't it...
In a year where we have seen the 1) Most top-10 upsets 2) Almost the most different #1 teams in the AP poll 3) Only a handful of conference #1 seeds actually winning their conference tournament AND YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT BRACKETS?!
Fine, I'll appease the fans.
Don't say I didn't warn you though, this year is going to be a dumpster fire with all of this parity going on. This is the year where the #1 seeds combine for the most losses in a long while (jury is still out on whether Oregon actually deserves the 1 seed, but I digress). Which goes in hand that this is the year that only one team has 30+ wins (Kansas, at exactly 30). But all of this parity is what makes watching March Madness fun! Who could forget the time when Dunk City came alive and outta nowhere a #15 seed was in the Sweet Sixteen after destroying America's brackets? (I hated them for a brief moment after the damage they have done, then I started watching them and this highlight reel, and proceeded to root for them in their unlikely conquest):
(Due to time constraints, life, and college, I'm only previewing the first round, but I will give you my Final Four and champs at the end and whenever that team shows up)
SOUTH REGION:
#1 Kansas vs #16 Austin Peay:
Kansas is the only team that has showed poise all year long with very little faults, and quite frankly, I think the hardest match-up Kansas will get prior to their inevitable Final Four appearance will honestly be their second round, regardless if its Colorado or Uconn (More so if it's Uconn *cough cough*) and heck, if it's not Oklahoma or Oregon in the Final Four, then that second round against potentially Uconn I see as the biggest threat that could stop Kansas.
Kansas over Peay, into the Final Four, into the Finals.
#8 Colorado vs #9 Uconn:
I love these 8/9 match-ups that can totally go either way. Colorado the past few years has always had a team that's showed up to these tournaments, but will they have enough to stop the momentum of AAC champion Uconn? Nah, Uconn in a scrap fight as they prepare to give Kansas a run for their money.
#5 Maryland vs #12 South Dakota St.: Upset Alert?
Sorry, this isn't the year of the 12 over 5, but the 11 over 6 (which we will get tooooo....) However SDSU plays a bit scrappy and Maryland is either "Haha we just dropped 90 on you without trying" or "Oh damn, we can barely get to 70". If the latter Maryland team shows up and SDSU's defense is on point...welllllll....but don't count on Maryland to get far with their indifference if they press on (which they most likely will)
#4 California vs #13 Hawaii: Upset Alert!
California showed promise early in the regular season but kinda faded as they began conference play. Yeah they've had some nice wins and can go on a tear on offense...but they're just not convincing me...Hawaii on the other hand is an extremely stellar defensive team with some hot shooting to back it up. Yes they played in a weak conference, but they had some pretty close non-conference upsets...I'll take the Rainbows in the early upset and to potentially threaten Maryland
#6 Arizona vs #11 Wichita State: Upset Alert!
Oh Arizona. One of the most interesting teams to watch because they have an extreme case of Maryland's disease. Can be wicked good, or can just dry up and wither pretty quickly. What isn't helping their case is that they're not 100% healthy and they have to face Wichita, one of the best defensive teams in the nation that knows how to get it done. And don't try to tell me that they're hurting from not winning their conference, they want that vengeance to show the world. Wichita State is Elite Eight potential waiting to happen.
#3 Miami vs #14 Buffalo:
Miami has been an interesting team to watch, they should be able to slide through this first round match-up, but they need to worry about their second round match-up more than anything, regardless of Arizona or Wichita State. If they get through that though, then it's smooth to the Elite Eight
#7 Iowa vs #10 Temple: Upset Alert?
Iowa took me a bit to evaluate, because yes they're decent, but they're not Elite Eight decent. The problem is they have a weak side of the bracket featuring a second round match-up against most likely Villanova (lol) and then having to deal with one of the three of Arizona/Wichita/Miami in the Sweet Sixteen which Iowa can easily compete with if they are on their A game. The problem with Iowa is, we don't know what their A game is and how often they play it. They could even go down to Temple if they're not careful
#2 Villanova vs. #15 UNC Asheville:
As much as I think Villanova is overrated, the numbers kinda back up a bit of their claim. They won't have any trouble in their opener (lol if they do) but then they get it tough with the rest of the bracket as already mentioned. Definitely not Elite Eight or Final Four potential.
EAST REGION:
#1 North Carolina vs. #16 Florida Gulf Coast:
North Carolina, another poor victim of Maryland's disease. I'm giving FGCU a shred of hope but it ain't much. Otherwise as we take a look at the rest of the region, there is high potential that North Carolina can go down early. There is also high potential that they can get in the Final Four or even the national championship game, it's been that kind of year. But when your region is filled with consistent teams like Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Xavier? Good luck Mr. Inconsistency.
#8 USC vs #9 Providence:
Back at it again with the 8/9! However I think Providence is too good for USC, an easy win there. Its the interestingness (trademarked) of North Carolina that intrigues me. Do they have the potential? Sure. Will it happen? Probably not, but I'll put Providence as a dark horse
#5 Indiana vs #12 Chatt:
Indiana is a very dynamic team, more offensively than defensively, but can still play some lockdown D. A good win over Chatt gives them the fun of playing Kentucky (man that committee though with these early match ups!). Indiana has the firepower to make it to the Final Four, the question for parity is, will they?
#4 Kentucky vs. #13 Stony Brook: Upset Alert?
People are putting Kentucky on upset alert, me not so much. A quick win to prep them for a showdown against Indiana, and either way; winner of that game will stump North Carolina if Providence hasn't already.
#6 Notre Dame vs. #11 Michigan: Upset Alert!
Hey the first upset in this region! Sorry Notre Dame, but you also have Maryland's disease. You wouldn't have been going too far with the second round match up against West Virginia anyway, but I just don't see them standing strong against the resilience of Michigan.
#3 West Virginia vs. #14 SF Austin:
Like defense and turnovers? Might want to watch this one. Unfortunately for a potential Cinderella, West Virginia simply just does it better. West Virginia's defense and size, and transitional offense make them too formidable of a foe. West Virginia on to the Final Four.
#7 Wisconsin vs. #10 Pittsburgh: Upset Alert!
A very close match up between two scrappy teams. Could go either way, but let's take Pitt's scrappy-ness. Reminder, Wisconsin lost to Nebraska. That's a pretty big mark against any team.
#2 Xavier vs. #15 Weber State:
Xavier was one of my favorites coming into the tournament, then they lost in the Big East and got an interesting draw in the tournament. I still like them because of their style of play and they also have a favorable draw until they meet West Virginia...
WEST REGION:
#1 Oregon vs. #16 Some Team:
Oregon will have no problems in this first round, its this teams potential and who they could face that scares my bracket and the rest of the field. They could go as far as the Final Four, or trip up to a very potent Duke squad. Also spotted as a dark horse pre-tourney, however that awkward high seed and draw though (Duke or Baylor could trip them up before the Elite Eight. And yes I do think they're overseeded, but we'll see then!)
#8 St Joes. vs. #9 Cincy:
8/9 what more is there to say. Both scrappy teams, one comes in hot, one comes in meh but plays some defense. The numbers say Cincy, but let's see what St. Joes can do.
#5 Baylor vs #12 Yale: Upset Alert?
I'm still not seeing it. Yale over Baylor? Maybe...? Yale comes out of a weak Ivy League where as Baylor was competitive in the Big 12. I just don't see it because frankly Baylor is Elite Eight caliber. They don't have any glaring weaknesses, they're just their. Sitting there. Waiting for the opportunity to destroy your brackets. Because it's been that kind of year.
#4 Duke vs. #13 UNC Wilmington:
Duke has had that weird season. They were good, then they got hurt, but they got good again...and then slipped into the ACC tournament and now I don't know who to root for. Grayson Allen went from being the golden boy to most hated pretty quickly. So who knows what this Duke team is capable of, Elite Eight talent that could go down in the second round.
#6 Texas vs. #11 Northern Iowa: Upset Alert!
The committee did a wonderful thing with these interesting first round match ups now did they? Both of these teams beat North Carolina, both play pretty similarly, both probably deserve more respect. Both of these teams could make a run into the Sweet 16 by getting through Texas A&M. But here we're going to look at the parity factor. Sure Texas has beaten North Carolina, but they got some bad losses and bad play sometimes. And sometimes King Chippy himself (Shaka Smart) can't coach around bad playing styles
#3 Texas A&M vs #14 Green Bay: Upset Alert?
Texas A&M also has a case of Maryland's disease. Probably worse, because they went from one of the hottest teams to encountering a losing streak in one of the weakest basketball conferences in the nation. I wouldn't sleep on Green Bay either, they're not the greatest team, but they could hit that ripe match up against A&M's spotty defense.
#7 Oregon State vs #10 VCU: Upset Alert!(?)
I'm not sure if I want to call this one an upset, because frankly Oregon State is a wee bit overseeded (Much like most of the Pac-12 outside of Arizona) and VCU still has some scrappy-ness left in them after King Chippy left (Still Shaka Smart). Oregon State can ball too...but they have LSU syndrome, which is having only one superstar on a team of mediocre people. Basketball is a team sport last I checked.
#2 Oklahoma vs #15 CSU Bakersfield:
Easy first round for Oklahoma, I would venture to say they won't have any trouble until maybe the Elite Eight when they get Oregon or Duke/Baylor. But Oklahoma is easily a Final Four team, and if they can get the best of Kansas finally, then watch out.
MIDWEST REGION:
#1 Virginia vs #16 Hampton:
People have Hampton as a quiet team that could make this a close game; but eh. What we need to look at is how far Virginia can go. They're always the defensive master minds, but sometimes can struggle on the offensive end. I have them as potential Elite Eight talent, but I'm questioning them against Purdue
#8 Texas Tech vs #9 Butler:
8/9. Both teams play meh ball, actually questioning why both of these teams are in the field at all, but oh well. We're giving the edge to Butler
#5 Purdue vs #12 Arkansas-Little Rock: Upset Alert?
So here's a puzzler. Purdue has Elite Eight talent, but they could quickly fall against a team that plays extremely similar to them. Little Rock comes in as the best defense in the field, but Purdue can play a bit of offense, especially on the inside glass. Edge to the Boilermakers, but this'll be a fun game to watch (like most of these will)
#4 Iowa State vs #13 Iona:
Easy first round match up, but frankly I don't see Iowa State getting through Purdue's defense, Iowa State is a bit of an offensive juggernaut but they've lost their defensive ways. Even if they do get through Purdue, they're going to be quickly stifled by Virginia
#6 Seton Hall vs. #11 Gonzaga: Upset Alert!
Telling ya it's the year of the 11 over 6. Seton Hall can ball, but they also come out of a weak Big East (But they beat Villanova and Xavier!) Oh well, sometimes that happens. Gonzaga is always good for at least one win, but either way the winner is going down to Utah.
#3 Utah vs #14 Fresno State:
Easy first round matchup, could be in for one in the second round, but they need to put their focus on Michigan State, and frankly that'll be a tough battle for a slightly overseeded Pac-12 team
#7 Dayton vs #10 Syracuse:
Debates can be made on whether or not either of these teams should be in the field but we will table those. Dayton got hot in the A-10, but let's not totally throw the experience of Syracuse under the bus, they just haven't been that spectacular this year is all.
#2 Michigan State vs #15 Middle Tennessee:
I don't see anyone stumping Michigan State on the way to their inevitable Final Four, they will probably get an interesting Big Ten Champ rematch with Purdue in the Elite Eight (or a defensive fight with Virginia) and frankly, Michigan State is the only team that could come close to challenging Kansas for the crown. Final Four, Finals team.
So to recap:
Final Four: Kansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Michigan State
Final: Kansas vs Michigan State
Champ: Kansas
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