First Round
#1 Duke vs. #16 North Dakota State/North Carolina Central: We don’t know yet who Duke will playwith, but it is irrelevant because neither ND State nor NC Central possess Zion Williamson. Duke does. Select: Duke
#8 VCU vs. #9 UCF: As is true for every 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 think VCU’s defense does enough to hold on in this one. Select: VCU
#5 Mississippi State vs. #12 Liberty: The Flames will give Mississippi State a match, but I don’t believe that they have enough to overcome Quinndary Witherspoon and the Bulldogs. Select: Mississippi State
#4 Virginia Tech vs. #13 Saint Louis: The Hokies get Justin Robinson back after a toe injury that sidelined the star guard for the last 12 matches of the season (including the ACC tournament). Together with Robinson back, VT is going to have the ability to move Nickeil Alexander-Walker back into more of a pure shot function than a distributor role. Pick: Virginia Tech
#6 Maryland vs. #11 Belmont: Maryland is among the Big Ten teams limping into the championship as they lost three of the last four matches played. Belmont will continue to keep this 1 close, but can not get their second NCAA tournament triumph. Select: Maryland
#3 LSU vs. #14 YaleI really want to decide on the Bulldogs. Like, really, really want to select on them. Miye Oni is a baller, and the Elis have the 10th greatest eFG% from the nation. . .but, their defense is not fantastic. LSU still won’t have Will Wade on the sidelines, but I think the Tigers are just too much in this . Select: LSU
#7 Louisville vs. #10 MinnesotaI mean, Louisville I guess? The most interesting thing about the game is that the committee put Richard Pitino contrary to Poppa Pitino’s older squad. Jordan Nwora is also a whole lot of fun to watch, 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: Sticking with the Hokies moving on to the Sweet 16. Kerry Blackshear has been great from the article and Ty Outlaw is among the best three point shooters in the country in 46%. Pick: Va Tech
#6 Maryland vs. #3 LSU: Battle of the bigs. I am really here for this match. Maryland’s Jaylen Smith and Bruno Fernando are as great a frontcourt as any in the country, and they’ll have their hands filled with LSU’s Naz Reid. The Terps won’t have sufficient outside shooting, so I’m going with LSU to proceed in a near one. Pick: LSU
#2 Michigan State vs. #7 Louisville: The Cardinals somehow squeaked out an OT win over the Spartans back in late November, however I do not think that they get the season sweep. Ryan McMahon had 24 points in the win. MSU probably won’t have Kyle Ahrens in the championship Because of an injury 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 without Robinson. The Hokies will make a game of this, but Duke’s superstars are down the stretch. Pick: Duke
#2 Michigan State vs. #3 LSU: So much chalk. MSU requires this one in a very physical matchup. Select: Michigan State
Elite Eight
#1 Duke vs. #2 Michigan State: Should we don’t actually get this game, I will be furious. Some were surprised MSU got stuck at the East Region with Duke since the Spartans could have fairly been a No. 1 seed . Instead, they got matched up with the No. 1 overall seed in the Blue Devils. MSU will make Duke pay for their errors, but Zion hits a game winner . Pick: Duke
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