Must-Watch Thursday Game: Southeast No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 Belmont, 7:27 p.m. EST, TruTV
This game offers the sharpest clash in styles between the press-heavy Bruins of Belmont and the ultra-conservative Badgers of Wisconsin. Belmont relies on a quick tempo and full-court press to speed the game up while Wisconsin is dead last in the country in tempo according to kenpom.com. Bruins guard Kerron Johnson leads the country in steals, while Wisconsin point guard Jordan Taylor basically never commits a turnover, ranking 2nd in the country in turnover rate. Ultimately, whichever team can impose its style of play will come out on top.
Honorable Mention: Southwest No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 13 Morehead St. and Southeast No.5 Kansas St. vs. No. 12 Utah St.
Must-Watch Friday Game: West No. 4 Texas vs. No. 13 Oakland, 12:15 p.m. EST, CBS
Once the No. 1 team in the nation, Texas has lost 4 of their past 8 games and now finds themselves as a No. 4 seed facing a dangerous Oakland team. Oakland has proven they can play with the big boys, as they beat Tennessee in Knoxville earlier this season, and narrowly lost on the road to Illinois and Michigan St. They also will have the best player on the court in 6-foot-11 center Keith Benson. If Benson can control the paint, and Texas plays to its current form, then the Grizzlies could have a shot at the upset.
Honorable Mention: East No. 8 George Mason vs. No. 9 Villanova and East No. 6 Xavier vs. No. 11 Marquette
Least Interesting First Round Game: Southwest No. 8 UNLV vs. No. 9 Illinois
Sleepers: Belmont and Gonzaga
Belmont ranks 18th in the country in efficiency and has won 21 of their last 22. They’re not your ordinary No. 13 seed.
Gonzaga lucks out and gets to face a St. John’s team that just lost their leading rebounder, senior guard D.J. Kennedy to a torn ACL during the Big East tourney. In the second round they could face a BYU squad that just isn’t the same after losing Brandon Davies to suspension. The bracket is already opening up for the Zags.
No.1, 2 or 3 seed most likely to lose this weekend: Syracuse
Players to Watch:
Tu Holloway, Xavier. The best point guard in the country is the only player other than Nolan Smith averaging 20 points and 5 assists. He can single-handedly carry Xavier to the Sweet 16 and potentially beyond.
Chris Wright, Georgetown. If he is able to play following his broken hand then Georgetown could be a tough out, if not then they might not make it past the first day. The Hoyas lost all three games without Wright, averaging just 53 points per game without their point guard. Georgetown will only go as far as Wright carries them.
Final Four: Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, BYU
Final Four Most Outstanding Player: Kyle Singler
National Champion: Duke
Kyrie Irving’s glorious return once again makes the Blue Devils the most unbeatable team in the country. Singler and Smith go out on top.
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