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March Madness: 8 bold predictions for 2019 NCAA Tournament

By Brian Rauf

Duke Blue Devils, North Carolina Tar Heels. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Duke Blue Devils, North Carolina Tar Heels. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Louis King #2 and Kenny Wooten #14 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Louis King #2 and Kenny Wooten #14 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

3) Only one double-digit seed makes the Sweet 16

Of those 10 lower seeds that I think will pull off upsets, only one – Oregon – will make it to the Sweet 16.

The Ducks have a chance to be an untraditional Cinderella because they’re a power conference school in a No. 12 seed, but they are red hot and have won eight games in a row. Their defense has given them a new identity and allowed them to become maybe the team no one wants to face.

They’ve held seven of their eight opponents on this win streak to 61 points or fewer and point guard Payton Pritchard has returned to being the All-Pac-12 performer he was supposed to be at the start of the season. Throw in their elite team athleticism and reliable contributions from both Louis King and Kenny Wooten, and the Ducks are a force to be reckoned with.

Remember, this Oregon team was ranked in the top 15 at the start of the season. The talent has always been there. They have dealt with significant injuries this year (they’ve been without Bol Bol, a projected lottery pick, since December) and, now healthy outside of Bol, they’re starting to play up to their potential.

There’s also the matter of the draw Oregon got in their region. Wisconsin is struggling and I think the Ducks will win that game no problem, but then they’d face the winner of Kansas State-UC Irvine. I’ve already told you I believe the Anteaters win that game, but even if the Wildcats do, that game against Oregon will be one they can’t win without the injured Dean Wade.

Every other quality lower-seed has a very tough projected matchup in the second round that I think will cost them, so don’t be surprised if Oregon is the lone “Cinderella” dancing on the second weekend.

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