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NCAA Basketball: 2018 Diamond Head Classic preview and predictions

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Head coach Jamie Dixon of the TCU Horned Frogs reacts during the first half against the Syracuse Orange in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Head coach Jamie Dixon of the TCU Horned Frogs reacts during the first half against the Syracuse Orange in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 08: Jaylen Fisher #0 of the TCU Horned Frogs drives to the basket past Jordan Caroline #24 of the Nevada Wolf Pack during the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at Staples Center on December 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 08: Jaylen Fisher #0 of the TCU Horned Frogs drives to the basket past Jordan Caroline #24 of the Nevada Wolf Pack during the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at Staples Center on December 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Prediction

Indiana State has some talented players but I don’t think they have enough depth to hang with Colorado for a full 40 minutes. McKinley Wright will be the difference. The second game in the top half of the bracket won’t be as close, as I think Hawaii will benefit from playing at home and from UNLV’s turnover problems.

However, Hawaii’s run will end in the semis against Colorado. The Buffs simply have too much of a talent advantage and can stifle Hawaii’s inconsistent offense.

On the other side of the bracket, both Rhode Island and TCU are too good to lose to Bucknell or Charlotte, respectively, pitting them against each other in the semis. TCU’s defense and URI’s inability to shoot from deep will lead to another pretty easy win for the Horned Frogs.

That will leave Colorado and TCU going up against each other in the finals. Colorado is better than a lot of people are giving them credit for but the Horned Frogs have consistently been a top-25 caliber team over the past couple of years whenever Jaylen Fisher is healthy.

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Since he is and is playing at a high level, coupled with the depth of their lineup, makes me think that this tournament is TCU’s to win.