At this point in basketball season, we’ve got to touch upon the NCAA Tournament and the annual madness, mayhem and delight that come along with it.
We’re an hour late with this post; the first two games are already underway.
Let the madness begin!
First Pass: Which No. 1 seed goes down first?
Jeremy Bauman: Louisville hasn’t lost since February 9th and that was a 5-overtime game against Notre Dame IN South Bend.
That being said, I genuinely believe that if St. Louis can survive their first two rounds they can give Louisville at least a scare and possibly more than that. Thanks to their veteran leadership, commitment to team play and head coach Jim Crews, I’ve got STL knocking off Louisville in the Sweet Sixteen.
Butler coach Brad Stevens raved about the Billikens last week at the A-10 Tournament saying they have all the ingredients to make a deep run in the tournament, especially this year.
Well, Brad, for my brackets sake, I hope you are correct.
I’ve got Kansas going down to Michigan in the Sweet 16, as well. I think Michigan’s guard play will get the best of Kansas and the Wolverines big man play is adequate enough to bang with Kansas on the interior.
Max Ogden: Every time I see the Kansas Jayhawks play, I’m more and more disappointed in what is supposed to be a super-power. They may find a way to win, but they trail early and eventually slip away with a second half run. With a potential Sweet Sixteen battle against VCU or Michigan, that approach will not be enough to achieve victory.
Ben McLemore is a bonafide star and the Jayhawks are led by seniors and juniors. Unfortunately, their draw is just too difficult and they won’t be able to survive their region.
Ben Baroff: Each No. 1 seed has the potential to make the Final Four and win a national championship, but they will each find themselves in a tough spot in the Sweet Sixteen, if not before.
Although Louisville is the No. 1 overall seed, I believe they will be severely tested by St. Louis in the Sweet Sixteen. Look for a game in the 50’s, but Louisville will prevail.
Ditto for Indiana against Syracuse. Indiana is a better team, but the Orange pose a matchup nightmare for the undersized Hoosiers.
Gonzaga and Kansas are my picks to fall in the Sweet Sixteen. Both could be facing teams – Wisconsin and VCU – that will overwhelm them with their unique and chaotic style of play.
Gonzaga can beat any team in the country on any given night, but they aren’t used to the frustrating style of Wisconsin basketball. VCU will wreak havoc on a Kansas team that lost to TCU and was crushed by Oklahoma.
Second Pass: Who’s your Cinderella?