As we look at the bracket postings, the first thing that comes to mind are the ridiculous matchups that B1G teams got for the first/second round games.
Lets look at Purdue for the first of four teams that the B1G produced for the Big Dance this season. I mention Purdue first because I feel as if they possibly got the best draw of these teams. As a 2-seed, they start their championship run with a matchup against Cal St Fullerton. I fully expect Isaac Haas and co. to take care of the Titans, but it is the second matchup that I feel they find their mismatch. They are either pitted against number 7 Arkansas, or number 10 Butler.
Now to the Midwest Regional where we find the Michigan St. Spartans. This is a team that I think is screwed from the get-go. This bracket finds the likes of Kansas, Duke, and Auburn. These are just the TOP FOUR SEEDS! Along with a ton of talented mid majors, and some talented Power 5 teams, the Spartans will have their hands full.
This is probably the lowest part of my day, but Michigan is the team with the most opportunity for this years tournament. As one of the hottest teams in the country, it makes you wonder with having such a long layover if their streak has cooled off. But that doesn’t make their draw any better as they will have to face a very dynamic Rob Gray led Houston team, and probably the biggest game they’ll have against North Carolina and Joel Berry.
Finally Ohio State got smacked with a reality of truth as the Buckeyes will first have to get through the Mike Daum led South Dakota St. Jackrabbits. Let me just say this, Mike Daum is dropping 30, and a possible upset. Even if Chris Holtmann finds a way to get through the first night, they have Mark Few and Gonzaga still standing in their way…. and if you remember the matchup between the two in season as well as I do, it wasn’t very pretty.