2017 NCAA Tournament: How could historical trends play out this March?

Mar 12, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Rhode Island Rams guard E.C. Matthews (0) dribbles the ball against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the first half of the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship game at the PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 11, 2017; Providence, RI, USA; Butler Bulldogs guard Kamar Baldwin (3) during the first half against the Providence Friars at the Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /

Avoid Chalk for the Sweet 16

While it’s tempting to just go chalk, all four of a region’s top seeds make the Sweet 16 in only 12.5% of regions since the tournament expanded, per ESPN. If you’re going to make that pick, limit it to one region. Continuing on that hypothetical, the region should be the South.

UNC, UCLA, and Butler all have fairly easy paths. Kentucky, as mentioned earlier, will face a challenge from Wichita State, but I predict they will survive.

Of course, anything could happen — which is why so few regions reach the Sweet 16 with their No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 still alive. But, the South seems most probable to do so, if any region will.

These trends prove to be true time and time again. They may surprise you and can prove hard to follow, but they’ve been right before. Following trends could make a difference in your office pool and may be the edge you need.

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