Busting Brackets
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NCAA Tournament 2019: Buy or sell Iowa State, Villanova, Buffalo and Maryland?

By Nick Hemming

LINCOLN, NE - FEBRUARY 6: The Maryland Terrapins bench celebrates a score against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on February 6, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - FEBRUARY 6: The Maryland Terrapins bench celebrates a score against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on February 6, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 21: Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles attempts a shot while being guarded by Davonta Jordan #4 of the Buffalo Bulls in the second half at the Fiserv Forum on December 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 21: Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles attempts a shot while being guarded by Davonta Jordan #4 of the Buffalo Bulls in the second half at the Fiserv Forum on December 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Buffalo Bulls | 31-3 (16-2 in MAC)

First Round Opponent: #11 Arizona State/St. John’s (Friday, 3/22 @ 4 PM)

I don’t care what conference you’re in–it’s hard to have a nearly-undefeated season. Just ask Gonzaga! Keeping that in mind, this year’s team of Buffalo Bulls should enter the tournament with more respect than they are being given. Last year, Arizona learned the hard way not to sleep on Coach Nate Oats’ Bulls. It would appear as though they are poised for yet another run, entering the tourney as the #6 seed in the West.

The Bulls haven’t lost a game since throwing in a clunker against Bowling Green on February 1st, capping their season off by avenging that loss and defeating Bowling Green to lock up the MAC Championship. Senior guard CJ Massinburg, who poured in 43 points against West Virginia in last year’s tournament, has been the leader of the pack, averaging 18.3 PPG with 6.6 RPG.

The Bulls will potentially have a tough match-up against Chris Beard’s Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second round, but I don’t think Arizona State or St. John’s has the defense to stop their red-hot offense. A lot of schools will most likely be trying to lure away Oats after they exit the tourney, but don’t count on that being this weekend!

Verdict: BUY

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