2013 NCAA Tournament Predictions: Midwest Region

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 NCAA tournament field is set, and it’s time to go region by region and make predictions as to who will be advancing to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the Final Four.

After breaking down the matchups, here’s what my bracket looks like in the Midwest:

FIRST ROUND

#1 Louisville over #16 Liberty
#9 Missouri over #8 Colorado State
#5 Oklahoma State over #12 Oregon
#4 Saint Louis over #13 New Mexico State
#6 Memphis over #11 Middle Tennessee
#3 Michigan State over #14 Valpo
#7 Creighton over #10 Cincinnati
#2 Duke over #15 Albany

SECOND ROUND

#1 Louisville over #9 Missouri
#4 Saint Louis over #5 Oklahoma State
#6 Memphis over #3 Michigan State
#2 Duke over #7 Creighton

SWEET 16

#1 Louisville over #4 Saint Louis
#2 Duke over #6 Memphis

MIDWEST REGIONAL FINAL

#2 Duke over #1 Louisville

WRAPUP

The first thing that probably stands out is Memphis advancing to the Sweet 16. Everyone and their mother is picking them to lose to the winner of the play-in game in Dayton between Middle Tennessee and Saint Mary’s. I’m a fan of both of those teams, but the more I look at Memphis, the more I like their chances to make a run. There’s so much talent on this team, and their athleticism is going to cause teams trouble.

As for the regional final, I’m going with my gut and taking Duke. Personally, I think Louisville has the tougher road to get there. Despite the fact that the Cardinals hammered Missouri earlier in the year, that’s an intriguing second round game because of the style of play. And then Louisville meets a Saint Louis team that might be the best defensive team in the country.

If you’re filling out multiple brackets, don’t be afraid to have the number one overall seed fall before the Elite Eight to either Missouri or Saint Louis.