SOUTH REGION: Louisville, Kentucky
Opening Rounds – FIRST and SECOND
(1) Kansas v (16) Austin Peay
Now with 27 straight tourney
appearances and 12 consecutive BIG12 tournament champs under their belts, Bill
Self Jayhawks (30-4) team enter the tourney as the unanimous favorite. Austin
Peay (18-17) finished under .500 in conference play but found a way to win the
Ohio Valley tournament. Chris Horton a 6’8 senior brings his double-double
average of (18.9 ppg / 12.0 rpg / 60% shooting) for the Governors. While Kansas
only allows (67.7 ppg) with their stifiling defense. KANSAS
(8) Colorado v (9) Connecticut
Last time the UCONN Huskies were
in the tournament it was 2014. That same year they won it all. Once again Connecticut
plays the underdog role; somewhat. The 8/9 matchup is a toss-up, but with UCONN
prevailing after a 4OT game and winning the American Conference tourney
they are one of the hottest teams in the tournament. Colorado played shaky in
the PAC12 tournament, but a strong RPI helped them this season. Last time the title game was in
Houston, UCONN won; good luck next year Huskies, to much Buffalos. COLORADO
Kansas and Colorado: Kansas has 4
players averaging double figures in scoring including senior Perry Ellis and junior
Wayne Selden Jr. The Buffalos also have a top scorer in Josh Scott. Scott
(16.1 ppg / 8.7 rpg) leads the team in rebounding on a team that averages
(42.2rpg) which is 4th in the nation. That frontcourt will have to
bring their all against Kansas who has a frontline that is as athletic as they come. The Jayhawks are on a 14 game win streak and has
not lost since January 25th. KANSAS
(4) California v (13) Hawaii
Cal comes in (23-10) and full of
confidence. The Bears have been in the top 25 all season and been pretty
consistent in conference play all season. They won 12 conference games and have
made it to their first tournament appearance since 2013. Hawaii can go about
7-8 deep in their rotation and has length and size. Stefan Jankovich was the Big
West player of the year as the Rainbow Warriors took their 13-3 conference
record on to a Big West tournament title. The Bears will have their hands full
with a more experience team in Hawaii but neither team has much postseason experience. Those seniors for Hawaii won’t go down easy against a group of
underclassmen for Cal. Upset alert??? HAWAII
(5) Maryland v (12) South Dakota State
With the combination of Melo
Trimble, Rasheed Sulaimon, and Diamond Stone I thought Maryland had Final 4
chances in the beginning of the season; not anymore. The Terps who had won 15
of 16 to begin the season find themselves as a 5 seed. So much more potential is in the Terps than we have seen of late. South Dakota State (26-7)
brings great guard play and leadership to a JackRabbits team that we should not
sleep on. SDST has a deep rotation and has been dancing 3 out of the last 5
years in route to a Summit League title in 2016. This was a hard choice and the
classic 5/12 upsets is waning but I cannot see it in this matchup. If it was on mascots, the
Jackrabbit would crush the turtle, however… MARYLAND
Maryland and Hawaii: Maryland
(25-8) will face another underdog in Hawaii. Hawaii has proven they can win on
the road and has come close to beating Power 5 conference teams all year long. The Rainbow
Warriors also have won 17 of their 27 games by double-digits. Even after
the Terps fast start and rocky finish, I still believe in Melo Trimble and
company. Too much on offense and defense for the Terps not make it to the Sweet
16. MARYLAND
(2) Villanova v (15) UNC Asheville
Since head coach Jay Wright
stepped on Villanova’s campus in 2001; we have watched the Wildcats in 10
postseason berths including 4 consecutive seasons. After that, not much is left under Villanova's postseason resume. A
(29-5) record which we are used to seeing and a quick bounce as well; Wright hopes to differ that this season. This team has
endured pivotal losses all season including the Big East tournament upset to
Seton Hall which cost them a 1 seed in their bracket. UNC Asheville won the Big South tournament
under a well balanced attack on offense and defense. However a lack of experience
may hinder this team. NOVA comes in guard heavy with a trio of juniors/seniors
leading the way. Experience over youth. VILLANOVA
(7) Iowa v (10) Temple
This matchup has Philly ties written all on it. Former Leigh head coach Fran McCaffrey brings his Pennsylvania blood into this contest versus Temple. The Hawkeyes (21-10) who have lost 6 of 8
including an upset to (5-13 in conference play) Illinois during the BIG10
tournament still has a lot to prove. Iowa who ranks in the top 100 in most statistical categories has
declined of late. Jarrod Uthoff (18.9 ppg/6.4 rpg) and Peter Jok (16.2 ppg) lead
the way for Iowa. Temple has not been to the tourney since 2012. The Owls led
the American conference all season until they were upended by UCONN in the
conference title. No big resume win but against SMU early in the season. This
will be a tight game and close throughout this contest but I believe Iowa will get it done. IOWA
Villanova and Iowa: I have been
back and forth between Iowa and Temple reaching the next round I was already
picking against Villanova. Nova experience as stated will help them once again.
Hopefully they make it out of opening weekend this year unlike previous matches. With Iowa still not
looking as good from earlier in the season, I have to take the Wildcats. Jay
Wright team will make it to next weekend, but how much further? Only time will tell. VILLANOVA
(3) Miami v (14) Buffalo
Buffalo can score, but they also
can’t defend. The Bulls almost score as many as 80 points a contest while
giving up almost the same amount of points. Buffalo (20-14) besides winning the MEAC tournament championship, nothing really catches your eye with the Bulls resume. Miami on
the other hand, could have won the ACC once again this season. A hiccup or two down the stretch but
the Hurricanes have proved they are not just a football university. Several winning
streaks of 4 or more this season and the Canes have won 20+ games for the 3rd
time in 5 seasons under Jim Larranaga. Larranaga famously took George Mason in
2006 to the Final 4 as the Cinderella of the field. He hopes this Miami team led seniors Angel Rodriguez and
Sheldan McClellan can get them past their Sweet 16 visit in 2013. MIAMI
(6) Arizona v (11)
Vanderbilt/Wichita State
The Wildcats of Arizona are
familiar faces in the tourney. This is their third consecutive trip and has
only missed the tournament twice since 2000. Sean Miller once again brings hsi savy coaching skills an
elite prospect of talent coming out of the PAC12 on display. Arizona (25-8) was a game away
from back to back PAC12 tournament championships. With Ryan Anderson, Gabe
York, and Allonzo Trier all averaging over (15.0 ppg); they will be a tough task
for Vandy or Wichita State which has gone from Cinderella, to common Elite 8
foe, and now last 4 in. Either the Commodores or the Shockers still won’t be
enough to take down the Wildcats who have nba caliber talent on the court. ARIZONA
Miami and Arizona: The Hurricanes
won 13 games in a tough and competitive ACC this year. Facing Arizona won’t be
easy but the Canes will be up for the challenge. With the trio I mentioned from
Arizona, just 2 (York/Anderson) are upperclassman. Larranaga’s bunch is
upperclassman heavy. This will be a fun battle. Arizona averages (81.2 ppg)
which ranks in the top 20. Miami plays defense and do it well. The Canes only allow
(66.0 ppg). This will be a back and forth match between two elite teams all game long, but I
like the combination of Rodriguez and McClellan to keep on moving. MIAMI
MY SOUTH REGION SWEET 16 PREDICITONS
Kansas v Maryland
Villanova v Maryland
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