- This is college, coaches make a difference. When it comes to picking teams in the tournament, don't overlook how good their coach is. Coaches like Tom Izzo are at their best come March.
- Make a pick and stick with it. Too often people will waffle on a pick and then switch it because they saw a statistic or article about some team. Usually you'll end up regretting it.
The tournament is nearly underway, with First Four games starting tonight. In the small chance you care, I'll pick Mississippi Valley State and Iona to win tonight and get into the field of 64. Let's get going to the teams that have byes tonight.
1 Michigan State vs 16 LIU Brooklyn
Michigan State wins 10 of 10
Why Michigan State Will Win. . .
Tom Izzo knows how to get it done. Michigan State has one of the best coaches come March and a Final Four has become expected every year, regardless of seed for the Spartans. This year is no different, considering the Spartans weren't ranked in the preseason polls. Draymond Green does it all, averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds and over 3 assists per game. Green can play inside and outside, which makes it difficult for teams to match up with him. Along with Green, the Spartans have several players who can score on any given night and have players who can come in and hit the three when needed. This team is well coached and poised to make a Final Four run.
8 Memphis vs 9 Saint Loius
Memphis wins 5 of 10
Why Memphis Will Win. . .
Memphis enters the tournament having won 11 of their last 12 games. Leading the scoring is sophomore Will Barton, but they have plenty of legitimate scorers. As a team, they shoot over 49% from the floor, which puts them near the top of the country. They also distribute the ball well, so the Tigers will definitely be a tough out of the tournament. They have an interesting matchup with Saint Louis in the opening round, where many believe both teams were vastly underseeded.
Why Saint Louis Will Win. . .
If you are looking for a coach that has been there and done that, look no further than the Billikens' Rick Majerus. In the mid-to-late '90s, Majerus had Utah among the best programs in college basketball. He did everything be win it all. Majerus now has the Billikens in the NCAA tournament ready to make an impact. I personally find their mascot to be one of the coolest looking in the tournament, but their logo sort of makes him look like the Grinch. Can the Billikens do their best Grinch impression and steal some tournament wins? They don't have the athletes that Memphis or Michigan State have, but Majerus will have this team ready against any team.
5 New Mexico vs 12 Long Beach State
New Mexico wins 7 of 10
Why New Mexico Will Win. . .
If you like San Diego State or UNLV, you should like New Mexico, since they took 2 out of 3 from both those teams this year. The Mountain West champions have senior Drew Gordon averaging a double-double. The Lobos also get 12 and 11 points per game from Kendall Williams and Tony Snell respectively. This team is deep and are near the top of the country in assists per game, but what will win them games in the tournament is their defense. New Mexico is a dangerous #6 seed who has a good chance of making it into the Sweet 16.
Why Long Beach State Will Win. . .
Not many teams can score with the 49ers. They have five players averaging over 9 points per game, with Casper Ware leading them with over 17 per game. Long Beach State played a very tough non-conference schedule. Kansas, North Carolina, Kansas State, Louisville, Xavier, and Creighton all found themselves on the 49ers schedule. While the only win came over Xavier, Long Beach State played well against some of the best teams in the country. That experience and their ability to score could be enough for them to make a cinderella run into the Sweet 16 or possibly beyond.
4 Louisville vs 13 Davidson
Louisville wins 8 of 10
Why Louisville Will Win. . .
The Cardinals are playing some of their best basketball entering the tournament. A lot of that has to do with the play of Peyton Siva. If you haven't seen him play, he is lightning quick and can finish at the basket. Louisville is led in scoring by senior Kyle Kuric, but has six players averaging at least 9 points per game. This is also a very good rebounding team. The trend of good coaches continues with Rick Pitino, who has had success everywhere he's been. Expect this team to do no different as it advances to the Sweet 16.
Why Davidson Will Win. . .
Well they don't have Stephen Curry, but the Wildcats can still score at will. They have five players averaging double digits and are also one of the best rebounding teams in the country. It may just be a year too early for Davidson though. They don't have a senior logging significant minutes, so this year will be about getting experience. However, that does not mean that this team does not have what it takes to win a game in the tournament. They definitely have the talent to get to a Sweet 16, but they are lacking the experience. I'm saying it now though, watch out for them next year.
6 Murray State vs 11 Colorado State
Murray State wins 9 of 10
Why Murray State Will Win. . .
It's hard to believe a team that went 30-1 is a #6 seed in the tournament. It goes to say that this team is much better than their seeding. If you haven't seen him play, Isaiah Canaan is one of the best scorers in the country. He averages over 19 points per game and gets Dick Vitale more excited than a bottle a Viagra. Canaan alone can carry this team through the tournament, but the Racers also have other players who can score. They shoot over 40% from beyond the arc as a team, so they could surprise anyone who looks at them like any other #6 seed.
Why Colorado State Will Win. . .
It's actually very surprising to see Colorado State in the tournament, especially as a #11 seed. This team was simply over matched against teams in the Mountain West conference and now they are facing the top teams in the country. They are extremely undersized and don't rebound very well, although they do shoot over 40% from the three point line. If the Rams are going to win a game in the tournament, they will need to do by getting hot from beyond the arc.
3 Marquette vs 14 BYU/Iona
Marquette wins 9 of 10
Why Marquette Will Win. . .
The Golden Eagles are one team you can never count out. They have come back from double-digit second half deficits on multiple occasions. They do this by scoring and playing stifling defense. The Big East player of the year Jae Crowder is a mismatch for anyone who guards him. Darius Johnson-Odom is a premier scorer who can score from anywhere on the floor. This team will get after you and aren't afraid to take it to the rim. Marquette can beat themselves with turnovers at times, but if they take care of the ball this is a Final Four team.
Why BYU/Iona Will Win. . .
As I said above, I believe Iona is going to win the play-in game and get to this spot. If they do, they could give Marquette a tough game. Mike Glover can score on the inside with the best of them. The Gaels could be this year's VCU, but they have a tough path to get to a Sweet 16.
7 Florida vs 10 Virginia
Florida wins 6 of 10
Why Florida Will Win. . .
Florida was a top-10 team in the preseason rankings, so this is a team that is underseeded in the tournament. They have five players who score in double digits and all of them aren't to get in and get a rebound. The front-runner for the Gators is Kenny Boynton, a junior guard who is terrific from beyond the arc. This is one of the most efficient offenses in the country and they take care of the ball. They started to get into their stride in the SEC tournament, so this could be a team to watch in the Sweet 16.
Why Virginia Will Win. . .
Virginia's defense is well-chronicled. Tony Bennett has this team in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2007. They started their season winning 14 of 15, but since have gone just 8-8. Their defense keeps them in games though, as seven of their nine losses were by three points or less. They do have an interior scorer in Mike Scott who can get it going at any time. If this team can get back on track, their defense could take them into a Sweet 16.
2 Missouri vs Norfolk State
Missouri wins 10 of 10
Why Missouri Will Win. . .
You shouldn't have to make much of an argument to have the Tigers in your Final Four. Missouri went 30-4 and won their conference tournament, showing consistency the whole season. They have arguably the best guard play in the country and Kim English is one of the best shooters in the country. This team will cruise past Norfolk State, but do have some tough matchups on their road to the Final Four.
My West Region Bracket
Sweet 16: Michigan State, Louisville, Marquette, Missouri Florida
Elite 8: Michican State, Marquette
Upsets: Florida over Missouri
50-50 Picks: Memphis over Saint Louis
It's mostly chalk in this region. The toughest game to pick is Memphis and Saint Louis, who are good teams. I just have some feeling that Missouri will fall early, but I couldn't pull the trigger on taking Florida over them, although I wanted to. EDIT: I decided to take Florida over Missouri. This could be my make or break pick of the tourney. Instead, I took Marquette in what would be an amazing game. When all is said and done, I am taking Izzo and Spartans to move on to the Final Four.
No comments:
Post a Comment