NCAA Basketball: Mock 2020 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen predictions
1) Baylor Bears vs 4) Kentucky Wildcats
Max Hastings
Man, I would’ve loved to see this matchup. Two of the best backcourts in the nation, each team plays with three guards at a time, making this one of the most intriguing matchups in the entire nation.
These two backcourts actually remind me a lot of two NBA teams’ backcourts, the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz. First, Kentucky’s backcourt reminds me a lot of the Boston Celtics backcourt, with Immanuel Quickley playing the role of the team’s go-to scorer in Kemba Walker and Ashton Hagans the role of the lockdown defender in Marcus Smart. And finally, playing probably the most important role is Tyrese Maxey in the role of Jayson Tatum, the fearless iso-baller who you can count on down the stretch of close games.
On the other hand, Baylor’s backcourt reminds me a lot of the Utah Jazz’s 3-and-D backcourt. Jared Butler plays the role of Donavan Mitchell as the catalyst of the offense and big shot maker, while MaCio Teague and Davion Mitchell are the team’s knockdown 3-point shooters and lockdown defenders, much like Bojan Bogdanovic and Royce O’Neal.
Both of these teams’ pro-style play has led to very successful seasons and should produce one of the most exciting games in this tournament. Much like when the Celtics and Jazz played each other this season, this matchup is basically a coin flip. I’m gonna go with Kentucky because like the Celtics, their backcourt is more talented and will be able to make the tough shots down the stretch that Baylor’s backcourt will be unable to.
Kentucky 72, Baylor 69
Sydney Chesser
Baylor has consistently been one of the most dominant teams in the country all season. Whereas Kentucky lost a few questionable games during the regular season, putting a big question mark on how they would fare during the postseason. Despite the struggles that Kentucky has faced, Ashton Hagans, Tyrese Maxey, and lead scorer Immanuel Quickley, helped transform the Wildcats into a completely different team entering the tournament. Kentucky will look to the trio to matchup with Baylor’s Jared Butler, MaCio Teague, and Davion Mitchell.
I predict a close scoring game with Baylor coming out on top. Kentucky averages 12.5 turnovers per game, which is not a statistic they can afford against the defensive efficiency of a team like Baylor. Baylor’s defense will be able to force turnovers, slow Kentucky down at the rim, and capitalize on defensive rebounds. Kentucky will have a hard time slowing down Butler, Teague, and Mitchell with the possibility of Devonte Bandoo coming off of the bench for Baylor if adjustments are needed.
Baylor 63, Kentucky 54
Connor Gilbert
It appears that championship week was a turning point of sorts for John Calipari’s Wildcats, and they haven’t looked back since. Baylor’s guard-dependent offense, on the other hand, has sputtered in a few cases as of late and the Bears have looked susceptible when depending on their elite defense.
Tyrese Maxey (14 ppg) is an NBA lottery prospect that is head-and-shoulders above almost everyone else on the court in this matchup talent-wise, and he’s shown that he can make crucial plays late in games since the day the season started.
In a battle between the Big 12 and SEC champions, Kentucky should come out on top. Kentucky is Kentucky, after all.