Well, we made it. College basketball fans across the country weathered the storm of another regular season “without a truly great team” to annual holiday that is Selection Sunday. No, we are not here to talk about the massive swing and miss from TBS on trying to fix the selection show that wasn’t broken. We are not here to talk about the four-person in-studio audience or the fact that Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith have not watched a college basketball game all season. We aren’t here to talk about the visual/audio not syncing up or the piss-poor reveal of the teams in the tournament. We are going to look past those egregious misfires and focus on the match-ups and potential match-ups the selection committee has given us region by region.
South Region
8)Creighton vs. 9)Kansas State
The eight-nine match-ups are often overlooked on the one-seeds’ schedule to making the Final Four, but make no mistake that each one of this year’s eight-nine match-ups could produce a legitimate test for their respective one seed in the second round. Let’s start in the South region, where Creighton matches up with Kansas State. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Dean Wade, their best player, has been sidelined with a foot injury. Perhaps more unfortunately for the Wildcats, this will be a revenge game for all Big-East guard Marcus Foster, who was kicked off the K-State roster by Bruce Weber before transferring to Creighton. Foster is a high volume shooter who is capable of dropping 30 points against anyone. With the extra motivation, Foster, Khyri Thomas and the rest of the Blue Jays offense could be in for a huge night. I’m taking Creighton to win this one, and for Foster to rub Bruce Weber’s face in it.
8)Creighton vs. 9)Kansas State
The eight-nine match-ups are often overlooked on the one-seeds’ schedule to making the Final Four, but make no mistake that each one of this year’s eight-nine match-ups could produce a legitimate test for their respective one seed in the second round. Let’s start in the South region, where Creighton matches up with Kansas State. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Dean Wade, their best player, has been sidelined with a foot injury. Perhaps more unfortunately for the Wildcats, this will be a revenge game for all Big-East guard Marcus Foster, who was kicked off the K-State roster by Bruce Weber before transferring to Creighton. Foster is a high volume shooter who is capable of dropping 30 points against anyone. With the extra motivation, Foster, Khyri Thomas and the rest of the Blue Jays offense could be in for a huge night. I’m taking Creighton to win this one, and for Foster to rub Bruce Weber’s face in it.
5)Kentucky vs. 12)Davidson
Kentucky is fresh off winning their fourth consecutive SEC tournament, and Davidson is fresh of beating Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10 championship. Kentucky’s season has been an intriguing one, including a four game losing streak prior to finding their stride at the end of the regular season. Everyone is looking forward to the possible Arizona/Kentucky match-up in the second round, which is why I’m picking against the Kentucky Wildcats, in favor of the Davidson Wildcats to face to the Arizona Wildcats in the second round. People are so busy being caught up in the moment of Kentucky’s SEC tournament win that they forget that Kentucky can’t shoot the basketball and that this is one of John Calipari’s worst teams since arriving in Lexington. All these Kentucky kids are going pro after this year, and none of them know what a Davidson is. Bob Mackillop’s teams live off higher seeds taking them for granted, and they play a physical brand of basketball that should throw off the group of 18-year-olds wearing Kentucky blue.
Kentucky is fresh off winning their fourth consecutive SEC tournament, and Davidson is fresh of beating Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10 championship. Kentucky’s season has been an intriguing one, including a four game losing streak prior to finding their stride at the end of the regular season. Everyone is looking forward to the possible Arizona/Kentucky match-up in the second round, which is why I’m picking against the Kentucky Wildcats, in favor of the Davidson Wildcats to face to the Arizona Wildcats in the second round. People are so busy being caught up in the moment of Kentucky’s SEC tournament win that they forget that Kentucky can’t shoot the basketball and that this is one of John Calipari’s worst teams since arriving in Lexington. All these Kentucky kids are going pro after this year, and none of them know what a Davidson is. Bob Mackillop’s teams live off higher seeds taking them for granted, and they play a physical brand of basketball that should throw off the group of 18-year-olds wearing Kentucky blue.
6)Miami vs. 12)Loyola-Chicago
Jim Larrañaga has the Hurricanes in the tournament again with a 22-9 record. That record in the ACC should get you’re a pretty good matchup in the first round of the tournament, but someone forgot to tell the selection committee, because Miami will face the Ramblers of Loyola-Chicago. The Ramblers don’t have a lot of size but they are deep and have a really balanced scoring roster. Loyola will get discredited for having a stellar season because they are in the horrible Missouri Valley Conference, but I’m taking them to blitz Miami early and upset the Hurricanes.
Jim Larrañaga has the Hurricanes in the tournament again with a 22-9 record. That record in the ACC should get you’re a pretty good matchup in the first round of the tournament, but someone forgot to tell the selection committee, because Miami will face the Ramblers of Loyola-Chicago. The Ramblers don’t have a lot of size but they are deep and have a really balanced scoring roster. Loyola will get discredited for having a stellar season because they are in the horrible Missouri Valley Conference, but I’m taking them to blitz Miami early and upset the Hurricanes.
West Region
8)Missouri vs. 9)Florida State
Moving on to the West region, where the Missouri Tigers and Florida State Seminoles will matchup with a date against the weakest one seed, the Xavier Musketeers, on the line. Missouri has a player on their team named Michael Porter Jr., perhaps you’ve heard of him? The highly touted prospect was underwhelming in his college debut in a loss against Georgia in the first round of the SEC tournament. Porter looked like he was playing sped up, which is common for freshmen playing in their first few games. Unfortunately for Porter, he will only have one game under his belt before tournament play against a tough defensive squad in Florida State, who are led by do-everything guard Terrance Mann and 7’4” rim protector Christ Koumadji. To make matters worse for Missouri, second leading scorer and rebounder Jordan Barnett was arrested for DWI last Saturday and will be forced to sit out the Tigers’ first round game. Missouri will enter that game with seven scholarship players available, one of whom has only played one college basketball game since having surgery on his back. It will be a tough task for Cuonzo Martin’s squad to overcome, but they draw a favorable location as the game will be played in Nashville, which is only about five hours away from the University of Missouri campus. I’m picking Florida State.
8)Missouri vs. 9)Florida State
Moving on to the West region, where the Missouri Tigers and Florida State Seminoles will matchup with a date against the weakest one seed, the Xavier Musketeers, on the line. Missouri has a player on their team named Michael Porter Jr., perhaps you’ve heard of him? The highly touted prospect was underwhelming in his college debut in a loss against Georgia in the first round of the SEC tournament. Porter looked like he was playing sped up, which is common for freshmen playing in their first few games. Unfortunately for Porter, he will only have one game under his belt before tournament play against a tough defensive squad in Florida State, who are led by do-everything guard Terrance Mann and 7’4” rim protector Christ Koumadji. To make matters worse for Missouri, second leading scorer and rebounder Jordan Barnett was arrested for DWI last Saturday and will be forced to sit out the Tigers’ first round game. Missouri will enter that game with seven scholarship players available, one of whom has only played one college basketball game since having surgery on his back. It will be a tough task for Cuonzo Martin’s squad to overcome, but they draw a favorable location as the game will be played in Nashville, which is only about five hours away from the University of Missouri campus. I’m picking Florida State.
3)Michigan vs. 14)Montana
Consider this me calling my shot. I have absolutely no evidence to suggest that Michigan won’t win this game by a million. After winning the Big 10 tournament for the second straight season, Michigan will be everyone’s favorite “sleeper” to make an Elite Eight and maybe a Final Four. Mo Wagner is a monster, and Michigan will have had a full week off since their last game. I know literally nothing about Montana, but I’m going to pick them here because this is the type of matchup that screws everyone’s bracket, so I’m going to beat the system. Of course, this means Michigan will beat Montana senseless on their way to the Final Four because I’ve clearly overthought this.
Consider this me calling my shot. I have absolutely no evidence to suggest that Michigan won’t win this game by a million. After winning the Big 10 tournament for the second straight season, Michigan will be everyone’s favorite “sleeper” to make an Elite Eight and maybe a Final Four. Mo Wagner is a monster, and Michigan will have had a full week off since their last game. I know literally nothing about Montana, but I’m going to pick them here because this is the type of matchup that screws everyone’s bracket, so I’m going to beat the system. Of course, this means Michigan will beat Montana senseless on their way to the Final Four because I’ve clearly overthought this.
7)Texas A&M 10)Providence
Texas A&M looked as good as anyone through the first 24 hours of this college basketball season. The Aggies trounced the West Virginia Mountaineers on an airplane hangar in Germany. Despite being one of the biggest teams in the country with guys like Tonny Trocha-Morelos, Robert Williams, Tyler Davis and DJ Hogg, A&M had experienced highs and lows like most other teams throughout the season. The main issue for A&M is that they struggle shooting from distance and don’t pound the ball inside as much as they should. The Friars of Providence also had an up and down season, but are the only team to have beaten two number one seeds, with wins over both Xavier and Villanova. Ed Cooley is one of the more underrated coaches in America, the Friars have three players averaging double figures. Due to the more balanced scoring of Providence and inconsistency of A&M, I’m taking the Friars and Ed Cooley’s tailor.
Texas A&M looked as good as anyone through the first 24 hours of this college basketball season. The Aggies trounced the West Virginia Mountaineers on an airplane hangar in Germany. Despite being one of the biggest teams in the country with guys like Tonny Trocha-Morelos, Robert Williams, Tyler Davis and DJ Hogg, A&M had experienced highs and lows like most other teams throughout the season. The main issue for A&M is that they struggle shooting from distance and don’t pound the ball inside as much as they should. The Friars of Providence also had an up and down season, but are the only team to have beaten two number one seeds, with wins over both Xavier and Villanova. Ed Cooley is one of the more underrated coaches in America, the Friars have three players averaging double figures. Due to the more balanced scoring of Providence and inconsistency of A&M, I’m taking the Friars and Ed Cooley’s tailor.
East Region
8)Virginia Tech vs 9)Alabama
East region, we find one of the most intriguing player in the tournament in Alabama’s Collin Sexton. Sexton is a sure lottery pick in this upcoming NBA draft, and has been drawing comparisons to NBA players such as Donovan Mitchell and even Russell Westbrook. Sexton took the nation by storm with his performance in the SEC tournament, in which he single-handedly propelled his Alabama team into the tournament with a game-winning running finger roll in the first game, followed by a 31-point performance in the second round. Sexton and the Crimson Tide will face Virginia Tech, one of the two teams to beat the overall number one-seed Virginia Cavaliers this season. Coach Buzz Williams will have the Hokies well-prepared for the matchup, but it might not matter if Collin Sexton decides he’s going to be unguardable. I’m still picking Virginia Tech because they have been more consistent than Alabama all season.
8)Virginia Tech vs 9)Alabama
East region, we find one of the most intriguing player in the tournament in Alabama’s Collin Sexton. Sexton is a sure lottery pick in this upcoming NBA draft, and has been drawing comparisons to NBA players such as Donovan Mitchell and even Russell Westbrook. Sexton took the nation by storm with his performance in the SEC tournament, in which he single-handedly propelled his Alabama team into the tournament with a game-winning running finger roll in the first game, followed by a 31-point performance in the second round. Sexton and the Crimson Tide will face Virginia Tech, one of the two teams to beat the overall number one-seed Virginia Cavaliers this season. Coach Buzz Williams will have the Hokies well-prepared for the matchup, but it might not matter if Collin Sexton decides he’s going to be unguardable. I’m still picking Virginia Tech because they have been more consistent than Alabama all season.
5) West Virginia vs. 12)Murray State
This matchup is interesting not due to Murray State being good, as much as I think West Virginia sucks. Okay, they don’t suck, but man they play a flawed style of basketball. They pressure the ball, and force you into turnovers. They are also a horrid offensive basketball team. If they have any plays, they don’t like to show them off. Their entire offense is Jevon Carter dribbling around for 20 seconds and then either taking a contested jump shot, or passing it to Daxter Miles Jr., who takes the contested jumper. On top of that, their press is the worst press that West Virginia has had in recent history. If the Mountaineers get off to a hot start, they can accumulate a big lead, but the offense isn’t sustainable and that allows the opponent to slowly chip away at the lead. I’m still taking the Mountaineers here, but I’m not taking them past their next opponent because I don’t trust them to play well for 40 straight minutes against a good team.
This matchup is interesting not due to Murray State being good, as much as I think West Virginia sucks. Okay, they don’t suck, but man they play a flawed style of basketball. They pressure the ball, and force you into turnovers. They are also a horrid offensive basketball team. If they have any plays, they don’t like to show them off. Their entire offense is Jevon Carter dribbling around for 20 seconds and then either taking a contested jump shot, or passing it to Daxter Miles Jr., who takes the contested jumper. On top of that, their press is the worst press that West Virginia has had in recent history. If the Mountaineers get off to a hot start, they can accumulate a big lead, but the offense isn’t sustainable and that allows the opponent to slowly chip away at the lead. I’m still taking the Mountaineers here, but I’m not taking them past their next opponent because I don’t trust them to play well for 40 straight minutes against a good team.
Midwest Region
8)Seton Hall vs. 9)NC State
The winner of this game will move on to face the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round. In his first season as head coach of the Wolf Pack, Kevin Keatts led NC State to a respectable 21-11 record in the ACC. The team is led by graduate transfer Al Freeman, junior point guard Torin Dorn, and seven-foot sophomore center Omer Yurtseven. The Turkish born Yurtseven flirted with the NBA draft last season, but decided to return to school for another year and has really turned the corner offensively. Seton Hall is led by seniors Desi Rodriguez, Angel Delgado and Khadeen Carrington, who are not actually professional baseball players. I’m taking the Pirates of Seton Hall because I think Delgado will hammer NC State on the glass and force Freeman to take tough shots.
8)Seton Hall vs. 9)NC State
The winner of this game will move on to face the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round. In his first season as head coach of the Wolf Pack, Kevin Keatts led NC State to a respectable 21-11 record in the ACC. The team is led by graduate transfer Al Freeman, junior point guard Torin Dorn, and seven-foot sophomore center Omer Yurtseven. The Turkish born Yurtseven flirted with the NBA draft last season, but decided to return to school for another year and has really turned the corner offensively. Seton Hall is led by seniors Desi Rodriguez, Angel Delgado and Khadeen Carrington, who are not actually professional baseball players. I’m taking the Pirates of Seton Hall because I think Delgado will hammer NC State on the glass and force Freeman to take tough shots.
5)Clemson vs. 12)New Mexico State
Clemson finished tied for fourth in the ACC, which was their best finish in the league in ten years. Clemson’s big wins include beating North Carolina, Miami and NC State at home. They also lost a game to Virginia in which they only scored 36 points….total. Clemson will unfortunately go into the tournament without Donte Grantham and will face a New Mexico State team who features one of the best rebounders in the country in Jemerrio Jones, who pulls down 13.2 boards a contest. Clemson seems just happy to be here, and because of that, I’m taking New Mexico State to move forward into the second round. |
4)Auburn vs. 13)College of Charleston
Do you know who won the regular season of the SEC? Hint: it wasn’t Kentucky, it was Auburn (at least until this gets vacated) and Tennessee. However, Auburn looked terrible in their loss to Alabama in the SEC tournament that culminated in Bruce Pearl getting into a screaming match with the Alabama strength coach as he was being ushered off the court by security and assistants. I don’t have a lot of confidence in this Auburn team, and they are now missing Anfernee McLemore. I’m going to take Auburn here because I don’t think College of Charleston has the talent or size to take advantage of Auburn’s weaknesses, but like West Virginia, I’m not taking Auburn past round one. |
7) Rhode Island vs. 10) Oklahoma
It’s no secret that Oklahoma doesn’t deserve to be here. The Sooners are terrible defensively and lost 11 of their last 14 games heading into the tournament. But, they have Trae Young, who finished the year averaging 27.4 points and 8.7 assists per game. Trae Young needs help from his teammates. The Rams, led by senior guards E.C. Matthews and Jared Terrell, were the best team in the Atlantic 10 conference all season. I'm picking Dan Hurley's squad to roll past Trae Young into a match-up with the Duke Blue Devils in the second round.
It’s no secret that Oklahoma doesn’t deserve to be here. The Sooners are terrible defensively and lost 11 of their last 14 games heading into the tournament. But, they have Trae Young, who finished the year averaging 27.4 points and 8.7 assists per game. Trae Young needs help from his teammates. The Rams, led by senior guards E.C. Matthews and Jared Terrell, were the best team in the Atlantic 10 conference all season. I'm picking Dan Hurley's squad to roll past Trae Young into a match-up with the Duke Blue Devils in the second round.