NCAA Tournament 2019: 3 bold predictions for second weekend

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with his teammates after defeating the UCF Knights in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Tyler Herro #14 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts as they take on the Wofford Terriers during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

2. Tennessee is the only No. 2 seed to make the Elite Eight.

This might be a bold prediction, but its not unwarranted.

First, Kentucky. The Wildcats struggled with Wofford before luckily pulling off the win thanks to a poor shooting game from Fletcher Magee. With P.J. Washington’s status in question, against a red-hot Houston team that hasn’t missed a beat in their first two games, I think Kentucky is in big trouble. Houston edges out an upset over the Wildcats.

Now for Michigan. I haven’t really been a big fan of the Wolverines at all this season, mainly because of their lack of a premier scorer. I would expect that to be exposed big-time against Texas Tech. Jarrett Culver lights it up for the Red Raiders, who beat Michigan handily, sending them home early.

Finally, good ol’ Sparty. Michigan State is going to be pretty heavily favored over LSU on Friday as the Tigers are without their head coach and are coming off of back-to-back close games. However, I really, really like LSU in this one. Tremont Waters has done an amazing job of carrying this team, and I think we’re going to see a career day out of Naz Reid. I’ll take LSU in overtime.

The Vols will have their hands full against Purdue, but I think they’ve learned their lesson after Sunday’s near disaster against Iowa. The Vols are a good bet to move forward, as I like the one-two punch of Williams and Schofield over Purdue’s one-dimensional offense.

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