First Round
#1 Duke vs. #16 North Dakota State/North Carolina Central: ” We don’t know yet who Duke will play, but it doesn’t matter because neither ND Condition nor NC Central have Zion Williamson. Duke does. Pick: Duke
#8 VCU vs. #9 UCF: As is the case with each 8/9 game, this one is a tough pick. UCF has Tacko Fall, and while I desperately wish to see him matchup against Zion, I believe VCU’s defense does enough to continue in this one. Pick: VCU
#5 Mississippi State vs. #12 Liberty: The Flames will give Mississippi State a game, but I don’t believe they have enough to conquer Quinndary Witherspoon and the Bulldogs. Pick: Mississippi State
#4 Virginia Tech vs. #13 Saint Louis: The Hokies get Justin Robinson back after a foot injury which sidelined the star guard for the last 12 matches of the year (including the ACC championship ). Together with Robinson back, VT is going to have the ability to maneuver Nickeil Alexander-Walker back into more of a pure shooter function than a distributor function. Pick: Virginia Tech
#6 Maryland vs. #11 Belmont: Maryland is among those Big Ten teams limping into the championship as they dropped three of the last four games played. Belmont will continue to keep this one close, but can not get their second NCAA tournament win. Pick: Maryland
#3 LSU vs. #14 YaleI really want to decide on the Bulldogs. Like, really, really wish to select on them. Miye Oni is a baller, and the Elis have the 10th best eFG% in the nation. . .but, their defense isn’t great. LSU still won’t have Will Wade on the sidelines, but I think that the Tigers are just too much in this . Pick: LSU
#7 Louisville vs. #10 MinnesotaI mean, Louisville I figure? The most intriguing thing about the game is that the committee put Richard Pitino against Poppa Pitino’s old squad. Jordan Nwora is also a whole lot of fun to see, so and the real deal. . .yeah. The Cards. Select: Louisville
#2 Michigan State vs. #15 Bradley: Michigan State without a doubt. Pick: Michigan State
Second Round
#1 Duke vs. #9 VCU: [checks rosters] Yep, Duke still has Zion Williamson. Select: Duke
#4 Virginia Tech vs. #5 Mississippi State: Dealing together with the Hokies moving on to the Sweet 16. Kerry Blackshear has been great in the article and Ty Outlaw is among the best three point shooters in the nation at 46%. Select: Va Tech
#6 Maryland vs. #3 LSU: Battle of the bigs. I’m really here for this game. Maryland’s Jaylen Smith and Bruno Fernando are as good a frontcourt as any in the nation, and they will have their hands filled with LSU’s Naz Reid. The Terps will not have sufficient outside shooting, so I am going with LSU to move on in a near one. Select: LSU
#2 Michigan State vs. #7 Louisville: The Cardinals somehow squeaked an OT win over the Spartans back in late November, however I do not think they get the season sweep. Ryan McMahon had 24 points in the win. MSU most likely won’t have Kyle Ahrens from the tournament Because of an accident in the Big Ten title game, but the Spartans have enough with Cassius Winston, Nick Ward, and Matt McQuaid. Pick: Michigan State
Sweet Sixteen
#1 Duke vs. #4 Virginia Tech: Now things are getting interesting. Duke lost to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg in the regular season when Duke was without Zion and VT was Robinson. The Hokies will make a game of this, but Duke’s superstars are too much down the stretch. Select: Duke
#2 Michigan State vs. #3 LSU: Thus much chalk. MSU requires this one in an extremely physical matchup. Select: Michigan State
Elite Eight
#1 Duke vs. #2 Michigan State: If we do not really get this match, I will be furious. Some were surprised MSU got stuck at the East Area with Duke since the Spartans might have fairly been a No. 1 seed . Rather, they have matched up with the No. 1 overall seed in the Blue Devils. MSU will create Duke cover their errors, but Zion strikes a match winner late. Select: Duke
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