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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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Feb 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones senior guard Matt Thomas (21), guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15), guard Monte Morris (11) and guard Deonte Burton (30) watch the post game video after beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Cowboys 86 to 83. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones senior guard Matt Thomas (21), guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15), guard Monte Morris (11) and guard Deonte Burton (30) watch the post game video after beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Cowboys 86 to 83. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

Iowa State

Kansas has the seed, Louisville the coach and defense, and Oregon maybe the single best player in the region with Brooks, but I am taking Iowa State to win the Midwest. ISU simply looks like a team on a mission this year. They have won 9-of-11, including a massive road win at Kansas in Phog Allen Fieldhouse.

The biggest reason I’m taking the Cyclones is tournament guard play. The team has four guards that can kill you any number of ways. Monte Morris does everything and leads the nation in career assist-turnover ratio. Matt Thomas and Naz Mitrou-Long are both long-range snipers; both average over 38% from deep, but are capable passers that can create their own shots. Finally, Deonte Burton is the latest Cyclone matchup nightmare. The 6’4″, 250 lb forward averages 14.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.4 blocks, and caps those numbers off with 44% from three-point range. No team has guards as good as ISU right now.

Iowa State will get knocked for size, but their versatility and depth have proven themselves time and time again. It takes a special breed to beat Kansas on the road, avenge losses to WVU and Baylor, and win two games over Oklahoma State all in one month. Pick and Iowa State and enjoy the ride to the Final Four.

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