When the March Madness bracket was revealed Sunday evening, the First Round schedule did not disappoint.
To begin with the First Four play-in games, on Tuesday night, (16) Howard took care of (16) UMBC for the right to play top-seeded Michigan. After that, (11) Texas won on a last second bucket against (11) North Carolina St. to move onto the First Round where they will verse BYU.
On Wednesday night, (16) Prairie View A&M's dream run continued when they won their first March Madness game against (16) Lehigh in a game that determined who will play Florida. Following that, the First Four concluded with (11) Miami (OH) defeating (11) SMU, as the RedHawks will now advance to play Tennessee in the First Round.
Without further ado, let's get into the predictions.
East
(1) Duke 92, (16) Siena 60
This game is between the number one overall team in the country and the champions of the MAAC, so this prediction goes without saying.
(8) Ohio State 79, (9) TCU 74
These two teams match up just as well as any other teams in the field. Ohio State and TCU have been playing some of their best basketball in the homestretch of the season. These two teams also very similar résumés, strengths and weaknesses. With that being said, Bruce Thornton along with John Mobley Jr. will simply be too much for TCU's offense to keep up with. Expect the Buckeyes to get the job done in South Carolina.
(5) St. John's 80, (12) Northern Iowa 62
If you are looking for your annual 12 over 5 upset, this is not the one to pick. St. John's is seen as underseeded by many fans and analysts across the country as they are this year's Big East Champions after defeating UConn for the second time this season. To keep it brief, Zuby Ejiofor is a force to be reckoned with and he will have his way against a Northern Iowa team that is far from battle-tested.
(4) Kansas 80, (13) Cal Baptist 67
Cal Baptist is a scarier 13-seed than many would think. They are led by Dominique Daniels Jr. who is averaging more than 23 points per game. The Lancers have the capability to make this a real game, but their sloppy basketball at times can plague them against a team that has been cruising in the Big 12 for most of the season behind potential No. 1 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft in Darryn Peterson.
(6) Louisville 77, (11) South Florida 73
It was announced earlier this week that Louisville's star freshman Mikel Brown Jr. will miss the March Madness opener. Brown Jr. has not played since February 28 and it is clear that the Cardinals offense has regressed without him. Because of his absence combined with South Florida's historic season in the American, this has been a very popular upset pick. The important thing to keep in mind about the Cardinals is that they do not lose to teams they should not lose to. Despite the absence of their point guard, they still have an army of players that can take over the show. On the other hand, South Florida's size and rebounding ability should keep them in it until the end.
(3) Michigan State 85, (14) North Dakota St. 68
This game can be taken just as seriously as a 1 vs 16 game. Tom Izzo is leading one of his greatest teams yet with the Final Four well in sight and North Dakota St. will not stand in his way.
(7) UCLA 79, (10) UCF 71
As if this region could not have been any more chalk, UCLA will take care of UCF. The Bruins are expected to have star players Donovan Dent and Tyler Bilodeau back in time for their game, the two average more than 30 points together. The Bruins are also just as battle-tested as anyone in the country and have been playing some of their best basketball in the past month. As for UCF, the Knights are a scarily inconsistent team with major defensive breakdowns down the stretch in important games.
(2) UConn 84, (15) Furman 55
Furman made history three years ago when they upset number three seeded Virginia. Unfortunately, the Paladins will have a much tougher draw this time around when they face Dan Hurley's UConn Huskies. UConn's defense will wear this Furman team down by congesting them for 40 minutes.
West
(1) Arizona 95, (16) Long Island 57
Long Island University enters this game as more than 30-point underdogs. The NEC Champions simply will not have an answer for anything Arizona has in store. This game should be over quite quickly.
(8) Villanova 69, (9) Utah State 76
Another great game on the slate is when Villanova meets Utah State on Friday afternoon. 8 versus 9 games are almost always true tossups, which is what this game will be. The Wildcats have not been playing their best basketball as of late having lost three of their last six, which includes them getting knocked out by last-place Georgetown in the Big East Tournament. Utah State on the other hand won four straight en route to a Mountain West Championship. Expect the Aggies offense to get the job done.
(5) Wisconsin 85, (12) High Point 76
This game will be an offensive duel. High Point has been a top offense all season long as they average 90 points per game while shooting just under 49%. Despite the Panthers intimidating offense, Wisconsin's offense is just as deadly. Wisconsin is home to one of the deadliest backcourt duos in the country between Nick Boyd and John Blackwell. The two guards average just under 40 points a game by themselves and it will simply be too much for the High Point defense to contain.
(4) Arkansas 85, (13) Hawai'i 71
Although Hawai'i is one of the better 13 seeds that we have seen led by big man Isaac Johnson, the Rainbow Warriors have to go up against the SEC Champions in Arkansas. Each of the Razorbacks eight losses have came to quadrant one teams, meaning they will not be upset on Thursday.
(6) BYU 73, (11) Texas 75
This is more of a game than many would believe to be considering BYU is led by future top three NBA Draft pick, AJ Dybantsa. Dybantsa, who averages an absurd 25 points per game, has had a tough time trying to carry his team. BYU has struggled many times this season against teams who were not even in consideration for this year's tournament. Additionally, the Cougars loss of three-point sniper Richie Saunders is bound to catch up to them. This is an encouraging matchup for Texas that they are more than capable of taking advantage of, especially with a bit of momentum after winning their First Four game on Tuesday night.
(3) Gonzaga 89, (14) Kennesaw State 63
Gonzaga's offense behind All-American Graham Ike will have Kennesaw State begging for mercy by halftime.
(7) Miami (FL) 70, (10) Missouri 77
This is one of the most intriguing games of the opening round, hence why we will have to wait until late Friday night to see it. Just like 8 versus 9 games, 7 versus 10 games are just as much as tossups. These two teams are nearly identical in any metric you look at. The factor that sticks out the most in this game is the fact that it will be played in St. Louis, just around 125 miles away from Missouri's campus. This will give the Tigers a sense of home court advantage over Miami.
(2) Purdue 94, (15) Queens (NC) 68
To round out the west, Purdue has a meeting with Queens. Purdue has been notorious as of late for being upset by mid-major schools. Unfortunately for Queens, it will not be happening this year.
Midwest
(1) Michigan 94, (16) Howard 58
Howard will have to play the Michigan Wolverines. There is no need to explain this prediction.
(8) Georgia 81, (9) Saint Louis 71
Another great scheduling job by the committee as we get to see two teams who exceeded expectations this season. Saint Louis has been anchored by mid-major icon Robbie Avila, who just seems to be able to do everything. Although Saint Louis has a great defense, the Billikens have a deadly offense as they like to share the ball, and they do so effectively as they have six different players averaging over nine points per game. On the other side, Georgia ridiculously averages just south of 90 points each game with Jeremiah Wilkinson leading the pack. When it comes to predicting a winner, due to Saint Louis's less than impressive schedule, mixed with losing three of their last six, compared to Georgia's SEC membership, give me the Dawgs.
(5) Texas Tech 68, (12) Akron 75
Akron has been swept under the carpet this season as Miami (OH) has been the talk of the MAC. It is worth sharing that the Zips won the MAC with a 17-1 conference record, and an overall record of 29-5. As for Texas Tech, it is evident that the loss of superstar JT Toppin has caught up to them. The Red Raiders have lost three straight games by a combined 36 points. Sophomore guard Christian Anderson has what it takes to put the team on his back and make a run for the Red Raiders, but in spite of that, Akron is no easy match. The Red Raiders will have a hard time preventing Akron's guards from scoring efficiently. If you're looking for your 12 over 5 upset, this might be the one to invest in.
(4) Alabama 72, (13) Hofstra 73
As if this was not already a nightmare matchup for the Crimson Tide, they will be without their second leading scorer in Aden Holloway after he was arrested on drug charges this week. Alabama will be tasked with containing the Hofstra backcourt of CAA Player of the Year Cruz Davis, and CAA Rookie of the Year Preston Edmead. Underneath, the Crimson Tide will have to find a way to tame the 7-foot, 282-pound Silas Sunday. Additionally, Hofstra's elite defense allows just 66 points per game. On the bright side for Alabama, there is reason to believe they will take care of business with no problems as they are one of the most explosive offenses we have seen this year, averaging just under an insane 92 points each game. This will definitely be a game to look out for.
(6) Tennessee 78, (11) Miami (OH) 72
Miami earned a spot in the first round after shooting the lights out in their First Four game against SMU. The RedHawks showed how deadly they can really be from downtown against a tournament team. Many will pick the RedHawks to keep their magical season rolling into Philadelphia when they face Tennessee, but the Rick Barnes led Volunteers are well experienced in slowing down opposing offenses. On the other side of the ball, the Volunteers well-rounded duo of Nate Ament and Ja'Kobi Gillespie will overwhelm Miami as the Volunteers will advance onto the Second Round.
(3) Virginia 82, (14) Wright State 68
Wright State had an impressive season in the Horizon League. Sadly, their season will end when they beat the ACC runner-ups, Virginia. Virginia will be too much for the Raiders to handle in every aspect of the game.
(7) Kentucky 73, (10) Santa Clara 66
This has been another very popular upset pick. Santa Clara is having their best season since their Steve Nash days and they don't plan on ending it just yet. The Broncos defeated Saint Mary's in the WCC semifinals, and later went neck and neck with Gonzaga in the championship. There is no doubt that the Broncos are for real. With that being said, Mark Pope has a lot of faith in his Kentucky team through all of this season's ups and downs. We have seen the Wildcats take down teams like St. John's, Vanderbilt and Tennessee (twice). This will be Kentucky's game to lose and it will be interesting to see if Santa Clara can take control of the tempo in this one.
(2) Iowa State 91, (15) Tennessee State 59
Iowa State's defense will smother Tennessee State from tip-off until the final buzzer. The Cyclones will breeze by and punch their ticket to the Second Round.
South
(1) Florida 104, (16) Prairie View A&M60
Florida's explosive offense will have Prairie View A&M questioning why they even decided to take the trip to Tampa.
(8) Clemson 63, (9) Iowa 70
Two words. Bennett Stirtz. The Hawkeyes senior guard is recording an even 20 points per game on nearly 50% shooting. Clemson has had an incredible amount of trouble this season when it comes to containing opposing teams' leading scorers. As Stirtz is one of the best scoring guards in this year's tourament, the Tigers are simply not built to keep with someone of Stirtz's caliber.
(5) Vanderbilt 83, (12) McNeese State 68
McNeese State will pose as a threat to a No. 5 seed for the third straight season out of the Southland Conference. Last year the Cowboys got their first ever March Madness win when they knocked off Clemson. This time around, they will have to face Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt enters this tournament red hot as they went all the way to the SEC Championship before losing to Arkansas. This Commodores team is just too good in too many ways to be exposed by a 12-seed McNeese in this year's March Madness.
(4) Nebraska 68, (13) Troy 75
Nebraska has had their best season in the history of their basketball team. The Cornhuskers have defeated teams like Michigan State, Illinois and Wisconsin to earn themselves a No. 4 seed in this year's dance, though, Nebraska did not get the luckiest of draws for the opening round. The Troy Trojans won a weak Sun Belt Conference, but you should not let that fool you as the Trojans have wins over San Diego State, Akron and an overtime loss to USC. The Trojans interestingly use size to their advantage and like to bury teams with their physicality. Troy is a great rebounding team which could give Nebraska issues. Although their high-motored offense may face problems against a great defense like Nebraska's, Nebraska is new to playing in March and could find these lights too bright. Despite the Cornhuskers as 15-point favorites, it is worth remembering that nothing is supposed to make sense in March, give me Troy.
(6) North Carolina 74, (11) VCU 70
This is yet another popular upset pick. Despite this, North Carolina has the statistical advantage in almost every category. I will keep this short and simple, the Tar Heels are the more efficient team, they have better defense and they are a better rebounding team. Additionally, VCU has no wins against power conference teams this season.
(3) Illinois 92, (14) Penn 70
Pennsylvania won the Ivy League in dramatic fashion on Sunday behind superstar TJ Power. The Quakers story will end there as Illinois will shoot the lights out of the gym.
(7) Saint Mary's 69, (10) Texas A&M 65
Saint Mary's received legitimate attention after taking down Gonzaga towards the end of the regular season. While the Gaels are known for their shut down defense, they also have guys that know how to score a bucket. The Gaels like to control games with their slow paced offense, disrupting opposing teams rhythms. Although Texas A&M's eruptive offense has resulted in them winning some big games, they are 0-4 against Top 25 teams, largely due to their disappointing defense. Take the Gaels with this one.
(2) Houston 79, (15) Idaho 50
To put this game into perspective, Idaho finished 9-9 in the Big Sky Conference. The Vandals will have no answers on offense for yet another defensively dominant Kelvin Sampson team.