MIDWEST REGION: Chicago, Illinois
Opening Rounds – FIRST and SECOND
(1) Virginia v (16) Hampton
The Virginia Cavaliers have not
had sustained success since the early 80s and the Ralph Sampson days. Head
coach Tony Bennett has changed that part of UVA’s history. A 3rd
straight trip to the NCAA tournament including back to back 1 seeds. Virginia
(26-7) has been in the ACC mix these past several years because of their
defense. Dick Bennett, Tony’s father implemented their pack line defense which
once again is reeking pain on opponents. Now Hampton must figure this out. In
state team, Hampton won the MEAC with a (21-10) record. The Pirates may not be
all around equipped to hang with Virginia but they do get to the glass. Hampton
averages around (41.6rpg). Reginald Johnson and Quinton Chievous are the 1-2
punch that the Pirates rely on. UVA does not put up a lot of points either it
is there defense which is the bread and butter. That defense tops in the ACC
again which could be the best conference in all of college hoops. Enough
said. VIRGINIA
(8) Texas Tech v (9) Butler
When the season started no one and
I mean no one had Texas Tech in the field. Legendary head coach Tubby Smith
changed that this season. His Red Raiders team are making an appearance in the
tourney for the first time in almost a decade. February showed more than love
for Texas Tech, reeling off 3 big conference wins in route to a (19-12) record.
Butler is the success most “mid-majors” are looking for. The Bulldogs (21-10)
endured some tough times going 2-7 vs the Top 25. No Brad Stevens roaming the
sidelines but the same concept of winning has Butler back in the dance. Back to
back trips now with a flourish of athletes including seniors Roosevelt Jones
(14.0 ppg), Kellen Dunham (16.3ppg) and underclassman Kelan Martin (16.1
ppg).That trio itself helps Butler score almost 80 a game. Though they have the
talent, Texas Tech won’t back down. TEXAS TECH
Virginia and Texas Tech: ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive
Player of the Year Malcolm Brogdon will be the key to any matchup with
Virginia. As Brogdon goes, so does Virginia. The senior is putting up (18.7 ppg
/ 46% FG / 88% FT / 40% 3PT) and is carrying Virginia this season. UVA has held
opponents to (59.7 ppg) which is 2nd in the NCAA. The Big 3 of
Brogdon, Anthony Gill, and London Perrantes have been the foundation of their
defense and the philosophy they preach. Texas Tech won’t be able to keep up
with Virginia and with the Cavs vibrant defense, the Red Raiders really have no
chance. VIRGINIA
(4) Iowa State v (13) Iona
Iona the 13th seed may
be one of the most intriguing lower seeds in the tourney. The Gaels (22-10)
robbed Monmouth of their tourney berth and found themselves dancing. Iona are
winners of 8 straight including 12 of their last 13 games. Iona is guard heavy
with a lot of scorers. AJ English (22.4 ppg / 5.0 rpg / 6.2 apg) is their
leading scorer. He and a group full of seniors and upperclassman are ready for
any team standing in their way. Iowa State meanwhile are in their 5th
consecutive tourney appearance. The Cyclones have not seen the Sweet 16 since
2014 however. They spread the ball very well and can get to the rim. Iowa State
is 5th in the NCAA shooting 56.7% from the field. The Gaels will
have their hands full as both teams like to shoot the ball and shoot the ball well
they do. Upset brewing??? IONA
(5) Purdue v (12) Little Rock
Little Rock winners of the Sun
Belt enter the tourney with a (29-4) record and (17-3) in conference play.
Little Rock really has not played anyone this season which I think will end up
hurting them. The Trojans play great defense as they rank 3rd in the
NCAA in scoring defense and 6th best in steals. Purdue (26-8)
battled their way into the BIG10 tournament title game to come up short. This
Boilermakers team started hot 11-0 and really does not have a bad loss on the
resume but to the Illini. Purdue passes the ball well and rebounds the ball
affectively than most. AJ Hammons and Isaac Hass are some towers down low; 7
foot and better. These two combined with their balance on the court can make it
tough for Little Rock all game long. PURDUE
Purdue and Iona: The only thing lacking with the Boilermakers is
holding on to the ball. They are one of the worst in the BIG 10 at turning the
ball over. Luckily for Purdue the Gaels do not always play the best defense.
The combined scoring and post-game between Hammons and Hass to go with Edwards
and Swanigan scoring double figures, it will be a great contest between these
two teams. In the end I believe the size and length of the Boilermakers will
prove to be the difference. PURDUE
(2) Michigan State v (15) Middle Tennessee
In March one thing you cannot do
is count out Michigan State, and you can’t count out head coach Tom Izzo. Now
with their 18th consecutive tournament appearance, Sparty looks to
be a Final 4 contender when it is all said and done with. Sparty (29-5) coming
off a BIG10 tourney title is aimed and ready for more postseason success. Hard
to find out what the Spartans do badly. They rebound well (6th in
NCAA). They share the ball tremendously (1st in assist in the NCAA).
They have the talent and coaching staff to compete with anyone, including
Wooden Award Finalists Denzel Valentine. His stats alone proves he is a lottery
pick this upcoming summer. Valentine’s (19.4 ppg / 7.6 rpg / 7.6 apg while
shooting 46% FG, 85% FT, and 44% 3PT) is astonishing in itself. Middle
Tennessee State winners of the Conference USA championship enter the tourney
(24-9). The Blue Raiders appeared in the tourney 3 years ago but do not have
the success Michigan State has become. Middle Tennessee State does play good
defense and has 4 players in double-digits but playing defense in Conference
USA and playing defense versus a potential national title team are two
different feats. MICHIGAN STATE
(7) Dayton v (10) Syracuse
For many the Cuse did not belong
in this year’s field. A (19-13) record, .500 in ACC play, and a weak
non-conference; this is not the same Orange team coach Jim Boeheim is
accustomed too. Losses to Georgetown, St. Johns, and Clemson to name a few had
folks scratching their heads to see Syracuse on the lines of 64. Besides their
13 losses they do shoot the ball from behind the arc well. Seniors Michael
Gbinije and Trevor Cooney will lead the Orange into battle one more time. Gbinije
(17.8 ppg) and Cooney’s (12.8 ppg) help lead Syracuse. Dayton has become used
to being in the tourney of late. Not just because Dayton is the home of opening
round games, because the Flyers have been playing good basketball. Dayton (25-7)
won the A10 regular season however fell to St. Joes in the semis of their
conference tournament. The Flyers have good scorers on the wings and just as
Syracuse can score from 3 at will. Problem with Dayton is they are horrific
from the line. Dayton shoots less than 70% from the free throw line so if it is
a close game, the Flyers may be in trouble. Though I do not think it will be
that close to where Dayton will be left dry at the chariot stripe. Dayton also
has won 8 straight games versus ACC foes. DAYTON
Michigan State and Dayton: A team like Dayton with recent history
in the tournament may give Sparty a run for their money. The Flyers have no
problems playing bigger teams and ranked opponents as they have proven their
validity over the years. Michigan State is a different animal. Bryn Forbes and
Matt Costello are compliments of Denzel Valentine. Valentine 20 times has
scored (15 / 5 / 5) in a game this season which is most among division 1
players this season. After losing 3 straight in late January Michigan State has
won 9 straight. Even though Dayton has “had” success versus ranked opponents,
this season they are 3-2 against the BPI top 50 and the teams they have faced
in the BPI top 50, SOS is 74th. Too much Sparty in the end. MICHIGAN STATE
(3) Utah v (14) Fresno State
Fresno State comes in with a 9
game win streak and a Mountain West title added to their resume. The Bulldogs
(25-9) do not have a great offense nor defense. Being said that is not good in
a lackluster Mountain West conference. Fresno State has not been in the big
dance since 2001. Senior guard Marvelle Harris leads the way for the Bulldogs.
The 6’4 senior averaged (20.6 ppg) this season and is the main focal point for
their offense. The Utes of Utah was a game behind Oregon in the race for the
PAC12 title. Utah (26-8) rolled of 13 PAC12 victories and have won 9 of their
last 10 games. Utah is led by their 7 foot Aussie Jakob Poeltl. Poeltl is
averaging almost a double-double with (17.6 ppg / 9.0 rpg) while shooting 65%
from the field. They can put points on the board but defending they sometimes
do not look the best at. Good thing for Utah, round one consist of Fresno
State. Round one in the books. UTAH
(6) Seton Hall v (11) Gonzaga
Head coach Mark Few has been
Gonzaga’s coach for 17 seasons. So far, for the past 17 years the Zags have
been dancing. Gonzaga (26-7) rebounds well and can put the ball in the basket
when needed. The WCC champs Gonzaga are the regular season and tournament
champs for the 4th straight season. Seton Hall (25-8) coming off a
BIG EAST tourney title upset over Villanova looks to be as focused as possible.
Isaiah Whitehead leads the way for Seton Hall. The sophomore guard averages
around (18.4 ppg). Seton Hall plays with a chip on their shoulders and that is
something for them to brag about. They are an underdog in a 6/11 matchup that
will bring all the fight to the Zags that the Pirates can bring. As much as I
didn’t care for Adam Morrison in the NBA, I don’t care for the Zags as much in
the tournament as well. Even with Gonzaga according to ESPN with the best
chance as a higher seed to pull the upset, Seton Hall is firing on all
cylinders. SETON HALL
Utah and Seton Hall: The Utes have size and length which can disturb
and cause all kinds of problems with teams. Utah also brings a little more experience
to the table than Seton Hall does. Utah has played well all season and Seton
Hall has just been as balanced. Even with Isaiah Whitehead leading charge, two
other players’ average double-figures for the Pirates as well. In route to
their tournament berth, Seton Hall took down the likes of Xavier and Villanova
so the mighty Utes won’t be a team feared by the Pirates. Upset alert again?
Yeah I am taking SETON HALL
MY MIDWEST REGION SWEET 16 PREDICTION
Virginia v Purdue
Michigan State v Seton Hall
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