NCAA Basketball: Mock 2020 NCAA Tournament Round of 64 predictions
Top-half of South Region
(1) Kansas vs. (16) NC Central
Adam Childs
North Carolina Central had a nice season in the MEAC going 13-3, but only went 18-13 on the year and playing Kansas is a different ball game. This is not a 1 vs 16 matchups that will ever be close. The Jayhawks jump out to an early lead and never look back. The only question in this game is if the starters will play in the second half. Udoka Azubuike does anything he wants down low scoring 18 in the first half. Devon Dotson also scores in double-figures as the Jayhawks easily move on to the second round.
Kansas 92, NC Central 54
Jason Kinander
The Jayhawks have been one of the most dominant teams in the country and should have little trouble against NC Central. I’d expect big first halves from Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike, giving Kansas a 20-some point lead heading into the break. This should almost serve as a warmup to Kansas, as well as an opportunity for players such as Isaiah Moss and Ochai Agbaji to get going. This won’t be anything near UVA-UMBC. Jayhawks by a million.
Kansas 83, NC Central 49
Matthew Winick
Everyone likes to remember Virginia’s epic defeat against 16 seed UMBC two years ago, but many also forget the fact that they were down 14 early against 16 seed Gardner Webb last year. It is now more likely than ever before for 16 seeds to remain competitive against the dominant 1 seeds.
With that being said, and speaking of dominance, Kansas big Udoka Azubuike would simply have a field day against almost any mid-major frontcourt, and NC Central is no exception. Expect an inside-out mentality from the Jayhawks, against a team who likely wouldn’t be able to go bucket-for-bucket with the likes of Devon Dotson and Ochai Agbaji.
Kansas 82, NC Central 56
Kansas gets a 3-0 sweep
(8) LSU vs. (9) Rutgers
Childs
Rutgers is making its first tournament appearance since 1991 and is highly motivated after coming off big wins against Maryland and Purdue to secure a spot. LSU, on the other hand, have lost six of their last ten. Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr for the Scarlet Knights make a tough combination for the Tigers to defend. The Tigers have four guys that average double-figures but Rutgers plays tough man-to-man defense and that will frustrate the LSU scorers. Baker takes over for Rutgers and leads them to a rare NCAA tournament win.
Rutgers 64, LSU 58
Kinander
Can Rutgers win away from home? Will LSU shake their late-season skid? One of these questions will be answered as yes, as someone has to win a game between two teams full of question marks. Skylar Mays certainly doesn’t want his collegiate career to close with a first-round exit, but the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers aren’t just here for a good time—Geo Baker and the crew are ready to make a run. I’ll take the star power of Rutgers in this one, albeit a very close one.
Rutgers 61, LSU 57
Winick
It gets mentioned frequently, but the Rutgers home (18-1) and away/neutral (2-10) splits are quite jarring. On the other hand, Rutgers recently ended the season by beating Purdue in West Lafayette and handling then #9 Maryland at home. They have certainly been surprising this year, led by a balanced scoring attack and tough-nosed defense.
However, LSU’s offense has been clicking for a while now, led by star guard Skylar Mays. This team loves to play an up-and-down style and attack the rim at will, leaving teams who aren’t prepared for it falling behind. Chances are, if LSU gets off to a hot start, Rutgers won’t have the firepower to fight back. Given their tendencies to struggle away from home, LSU seems to possess the advantage.
LSU 76, Rutgers 69
Rutgers squeaks by with a 2-1 edge
(4) Louisville vs. (13) Akron
Anthony Brown
The Louisville Cardinals finished the season 24-7 (15-5 ACC) and second in the ACC. Led by All-ACC First Team and USA Today Third Team All-American guard Jordan Nwora, the Cardinals swept Miami, Pitt and beat Duke, Syracuse and Virginia at least once. They won their ACC-Big Ten Challenge matchup against No.4 Michigan 58-43. This game against the Akron Zips is a rematch with higher stakes as the two teams played one another at the beginning of the year.
Louisville held on to beat Akron 82-76 as four Cardinals scored in double figures. Loren Cristian Jackson and Tyler Cheese combined for 40 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the loss. I think the Zips will come out with a lot more energy and try to take control of the game in the first half. Having momentum going into halftime will be huge in this game. Ultimately, I don’t see an upset happening in this matchup.
Louisville 72 – Akron 61
Brian Rauf
This has the makings of a game that could be much more interesting than people give it credit for. Louisville is reeling a bit, closing the regular season with a 3-4 stretch thanks to the rebirth of their offensive woes. Jordan Nwora needs to round back into form for the Cardinals if they’re going to make a long NCAA Tournament run, and that starts here against an Akron team that ranks outside the top 100 in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Akron is no pushover though, as their veteran backcourt of Loren Cristian Jackson and Tyler Cheese will make this uncomfortable for Louisville fans. Jackson will be a problem in particular thanks to his three-point shooting (42.8 percent) and will be the best player on the court in stretches. It will look like an upset may be in the cards during the first 30 minutes, but Louisville’s defense and depth will make the difference down the stretch.
Louisville 83, Akron 76
Dakota Fearn
Second-year head coach, Chris Mack, has the Louisville Cardinals in tip-top shape to make a run at the Final Four. Quite possibly the most experienced team in the NCAA with five seniors, the key for the Cardinals game against Akron is Junior Forward, Jordan Nwora. Averaging 18.0-ppg, the ACC POY runner-up has shown this season he is a scoring threat from deep.
Led by Loren Jackson and Xeryirus Williams, the Akron Zips finished the season strong, winning 8 of their last 9, claiming the MAC regular-season title. With Jackson averaging nearly 43-percent from the 3-point line and Williams nearly averaging a double-double during the regular season, the Zips have the offensive firepower needed to upset Louisville. Look for this to be a tight high-scoring affair with the Akron Zips prevailing for the upset in their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2013.
Akron 72, Louisville 68
Louisville moves on with a 2-1 split
(5) Wisconsin vs. (12) Stephen F. Austin
Brown
The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks shocked the world this season when they beat the Duke Blue Devils 85-83 and dominated the Southland Conference with a 28-3 (19-1 Southland) record en route to a regular-season title. The Wisconsin Badgers won a share of the Big Ten title and Greg Gard won Big Ten Coach of the Year as the Badgers finished the season 21-10 (14-6 Big Ten).
While Wisconsin isn’t as athletic and explosive as the Duke team is, the Badgers will get solid production from D’Mitrik Trice, Micah Potter and Nate Reuvers to win this game. I don’t see an upset happening here either.
Wisconsin 83 – Stephen F. Austin 72
Rauf
This is a very popular upset pick, and for good reason. Not only is this the classic 12-5 matchup, but everyone knows Stephen F. Austin because of their victory over Duke in Cameron Indoor Stadium back in November. However, unlike some other teams that pull off historic upsets (looking at you, Evansville), the Lumberjacks maintained a high level of play all season long thanks to their defense.
Defense is right up Wisconsin’s alley, as they rank 17th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. We know we’ll see quality play on that side form both teams, so the victor will likely be determined by which offense can make more plays down the stretch. I’ll lean Stephen F. Austin’s direction in that case due to their guard play and shooting – plus Wisconsin hasn’t been all that great offensively away from the Kohl Center.
Stephen F. Austin 65, Wisconsin 61
Fearn
Stephen F. Austin rolled through the Southland and even beat Duke on the road to the NCAA Tournament. With one of the better Mid-Major resumes we’ve seen in the past years, this Lumberjacks team is a cinderella favorite. They’ve shown throughout the season they can put up scores well into the 90s but I’m not quite sure they have the firepower to keep up with the red hot Badgers.
The Badgers are the hottest and most experienced team heading into the tournament, with five seniors and no losses since January. That combination alone can propel this starless team to the Final Four. Throw in junior leading scorer Nate Reuvers and look for this Badgers team to roll through cinderella hopeful Stephen F. Austin.