NCAA Basketball: 2023 Fort Myers Tip-Off preview, predictions

Wisconsin vs. Virginia

It may not be the prettiest of games, but expect Gard to try to work both Crowl and Wahl down low to try to get the Badgers to the free-throw line as much as possible. Virginia will look to lean in on Beekman offensively while trying to get as many looks for Ryan Dunn inside the arc. Almost fittingly, this game will come down to the final minutes. Will the Badgers’ defense improve, or will Virginia’s ability to clamp down on defense prove to be too much for Bucky? It will be a close one, but give me Tony Bennett’s club squeaking out a close-fought victory in the first game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off.

Final Score: Virginia 68 Wisconsin 65

West Virginia vs. SMU

This one is interesting because on one hand, West Virginia is the more “talented” team on paper, per se, but their depth issues will continue to plague them once Kriisa and Akok return. Given their razor-thin depth, if West Virginia gets in foul trouble early, that could prove monumental for SMU down the stretch of the game. BartTorvik currently gives West Virginia a 58% chance to win this game. Although it will be close, West Virginia should be able to stay out of foul trouble and get just enough from the trio of Edwards, Slazinski and Johnson. It will be a close one, but the Mountaineers prevail.

Final score: West Virginia 71, SMU 66

Third-Place Game: Wisconsin vs. SMU

Similar to their first game, expect Greg Gard to continue to look down low and get to the free-throw line with Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl against an undersized SMU squad. Because SMU has quality guards in Zhuric Phelps and Chuck Harris, Wisconsin will need big games from Chucky Hepburn, Max Klesmit and John Blackwell to limit their impact. Wisconsin matches up well against SMU both physically and athletically — giving them the edge in the third-place game over SMU.

Final score: Wisconsin 73, SMU 60

Championship Game: Virginia vs. West Virginia

In the battle of the Virginia’s, expect the Cavaliers to get after West Virginia early and limit the impact of Jesse Edwards. West Virginia has struggled to shoot efficiently from the field so far this season and Virginia’s defensive prowess will only complicate that. Expect Ryan Dunn and Reece Beekman to be major forces in this game, giving the Cavaliers the edge both offensively and defensively. The Cavaliers match up well against the short-handed Mountaineer squad and should be able to walk away from the 2023 Fort Myers Tip-Off victorious.

Final Score: Virginia 68, West Virginia 58.