NCAA Basketball: 2019 Paradise Jam preview and predictions

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Jarron Cumberland #34 of the Cincinnati Bearcats reacts during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Jazz Johnson #22 and Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack hold up the championship trophy after they defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen 110-87 to win the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Holiday Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Paradise Jam Champion: Cincinnati

Cincinnati has the best chances to hoist the trophy due to their supporting players. The bench ability is what they are going to need in order to be the 2019 Paradise Jam champions. The Bearcats will be able to get open shots early on and if they can knock those down, I do not see them having much trouble or any at all in this tournament.

Sleeper: Valparaiso

Valparaiso is an underrated team who will make strides in this tourney. Freeman-Liberty can really cause teams to have trouble. If teams can’t find a way to stop Freeman-Liberty, it’s going to be a long day for them to figure out how to stop Valpo. Hot take: Freeman-Liberty averages 25 ppg in this tournament.

Most Pressure to Win: Cincinnati

Cincinnati is consistently improving so they are under the most pressure to win. Cincy and Nevada are the two highest ranked teams in the Paradise Jam so they are going to have to be able to product and make strides in all their games. If CIncy does not exceed expectations, I can see this being a tough season for the Bearcats.

Next. Teams exceeding expectations. dark

Finals Prediction

Cincy takes the championship over Valpo 74-68. Freeman-Liberty has a big scoring game with 31 points and Cincy’s starting lineup all get double digits in the championship game. Grand Canyon takes 8th, Bowling Green 7th, Fordham 6th, Illinois State 5th, Western Kentucky 4th, Nevada 3rd.

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