Busting Brackets
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March Madness: Previewing the Midwest

By Doug Winkey

Feb 22, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Mitch Lightfoot (44), guard Frank Mason III (0) and guard Josh Jackson (11) celebrate with the Big 12 championship hats and shirts after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 87-68 at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Mitch Lightfoot (44), guard Frank Mason III (0) and guard Josh Jackson (11) celebrate with the Big 12 championship hats and shirts after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 87-68 at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2017; Burlington, VT, USA; Vermont Catamounts forward Payton Henson (35) celebrates during the America East Championship against the Albany Great Danes at Patrick Gym. Mandatory Credit: Ryan Mercer/Burlington Free Press via USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Burlington, VT, USA; Vermont Catamounts forward Payton Henson (35) celebrates during the America East Championship against the Albany Great Danes at Patrick Gym. Mandatory Credit: Ryan Mercer/Burlington Free Press via USA TODAY Sports /

Vermont

The Catamounts from Burlington will be a popular upset pick after rolling the America East Conference. Vermont went 16-0 and took the America East title in a tough game against Albany. UV has won 21 games in a row dating back to late December.

6’6″ freshman Anthony Lamb will lead the Catamounts into battle against Purdue. He averages 12.6 points on 51% shooting (40% from deep) along with 5.4 boards and 1.2 blocks. Lamb leads a team that shot 50% from the field through the regular season. Payton Henson and Trae Bell-Haynes average 11.4 and 11.1, respectively. Seven of the nine rotation guys average at least six points, so Purdue will have to figure out how to stop waves of players coming at them.

Besides depth, pace is a factor trending in Vermont’s favor. They are experts at slowing down the game with the 313th rated tempo. Purdue is faster at 116th, but by no means do the Boilermakers love to run and gun with their interior-oriented attack. Handling a guy like Big Ten POY Caleb Swanigan is a chore, I like UV to hit just enough shots and snake past Purdue coming out of a weak Big Ten.

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