Although this is not a typical Monday, it’s the start of MARCH MADNESS!! So with different writers breaking down each region, lets head to the Midwest.
Midwest Bracket
bracket-ncaa
First Look
The first glance over this region, and immediately you see how deep this region is. All of these teams have a realistic shot of making it out of this section, and that is because one team isn’t dominant in this region. KU being the number one seed will have its wits tested early in the second round (yea I’m assuming KU doesn’t forget how to play against NCC/UCD). Miami/Michigan State is going to be tough for the Hawks’, both teams play stingy defense and coached well enough to make a run in March. I see MSU beating Miami, and another round of Izzo/Self coaching will be happening! Continuing down the bracket we have ISU and Nevada, ISU is going to win this easily (cue Corso NOT SO FAST voice) and continue to be one of the hottest teams in the nation. Purdue is going to roll Vermont (Sorry mid-major fans) due to the size, defense, and what other pick do you have than the duo of Matt Painter/ Swanigan in a must win game? PS. Purdue is Big. Now here is where things get hairy, and that is due to these upcoming matchups. Creighton can be lights out and play exquisite ball in March buuuut they have lived and died by the three at times, and frankly, I see them dying. Up next on the slate is Oregon VS. Iona…not much to talk about here. Oregon dominates. HERE is the game to watch: OSU VS. Michigan. We could very well be talking about the match of the tournament (yes it’s a guess, and no I am not crazy) because OSU is the most efficient team in the country and Michigan is the hottest team in the country. OSU has Jawun Evans, who is arguably the best player in the country that isn’t on a top 25 team. Now Michigan is coming off the improbable Big-10 Tournament W, and that makes them the hottest team in the country. Winning it as an eight seed, the lowest seed ever to win the Big-10 championship btw.. The Wolverines are tough to play against because they are unselfish, tough defenders, and they get motivated by John Beilein who happens to be the most bad ass guy named John. To finish off the bracket we have the #2 seed (how?) Louisville and Jacksonville State…there will be upsets, but this is not one of those games.
Who Advances
Looking and talking to various sports enthusiasts/writers we all tend to believe KU VS. Purdue in the top half. This game intrigues me because KU at times has struggled to defend against big teams that can body them. Purdue has that in size they possess, and since both teams have POY candidates, it is a 50/50 match. For me, I see Purdue walking away, and KU stumbles again (Deuces Josh Jackson). In the bottom half of the bracket, I don’t quite know who to pick because it all depends on which teams show up to play (common line but they are all even). So I choose it to be Oklahoma State VS. Oregon(#hottake). I think Oklahoma State will catch fire and once they do, they are tough. If Evans can dominate early and find looks for Forte, and Carroll then the Cowboys are tough to beat. While Oregon is the best team not named Arizona in the tournament, they have Dillion Brooks whom almost did the improbable by beating U of A in the Pac-12 championship after being down late in the game. I think that’ll motivate the Ducks’ after seeing how easy Arizona’s bracket is. Winner: Oregon.
Elite 8
Purdue VS. Oregon.
Oregon walks away with this one.
Conclusion
Oregon escapes out of this region, and the Pac-12 will be represented by two teams in the Final Four! The Ducks’ have been streaky throughout the year, and I believe (history agrees) that Oregon finds the groove in the tournament and will go on. This region will prove to be one of the most entertaining ones with “the best” second rounders in the bracket.
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