bballnut90
LV Adherent. Topic Crafter
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2011
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Here we go:
Greensboro Regional:
1. South Carolina vs. 5. North Carolina. SC should win this game but UNC is probably their toughest obstacle pre-Final Four. UNC is solid defensively, rebounds well and capable of pulling off upsets. I think SC does its thing and gets a solid lead and rides it to a comfortable win despite the margin of victory not being massive. 59-50 SC.
3. Iowa State vs. 10. Creighton. Creighton won an epic game vs. Iowa to earn their spot in the Sweet 16, but I think their Cinderella story ends here. Look for Joens to have a statement game. Iowa State wins 69-52.
Spokane Regional:
1. Stanford vs. 4. Maryland. This is maybe the most intriguing matchup IMO, as both teams are loaded with talent and Maryland seems to finally be clicking. Diamond Miller and Ashley Owusu are playing their best basketball of the season right now and along with Angel Reese, they make up an insanely talented big 3 for Maryland. I could absolutely see Maryland pulling this off, but they've been so inconsistent this year I have to stick with Stanford in a hard fought 73-66 game.
2. Texas vs. 6. Ohio State. Another compelling matchup. Texas is one of the hottest teams in the country right now and Ohio State has one of the best backcourts in the nation. I think Texas probably holds on here but I expect Ohio State to make it competitive. 75-66 Texas.
Greensboro Regional:
1. NC State vs. 5. Notre Dame. Another very compelling game. Notre Dame is maybe the tournament's biggest wild card right now--a few weeks ago they were down 41-3 vs. Louisville, and then this weekend they were up 60-25 over Oklahoma at halftime. They beat NC State earlier this year, but NC State is a much steadier team and is looking like a legitimate title contender. I think NC State takes this round 76-63.
2. UCONN vs. 3. Indiana. Another contender for most intriguing game. Both teams have had ups and downs this year, dealt with injuries and almost lost at home to a double digit seed in the 2nd round but were able to eek by. I think this one is going to be a barn burner--UCONN has more talent but still seems unsettled with so many lineup changes this year and Bueckers clearly isn't 100%. Indiana has a savviness about them and Berger is playing really well, but I think the home crowd gives UCONN the slight edge it needs and they win 67-64.
Wichita Regional:
1. Louisville vs. 4. Tennessee. Louisville is playing well right now and Hailey Van Lith appears motivated after a disappointing ACC tournament. Tennessee somehow hobbled into the Sweet 16 after almost losing at home to Belmont. I don't think Tennessee generates enough offense and Louisville wins rather easily, 70-53.
3. Michigan vs 10. South Dakota. South Dakota pulled off arguably the upset of the tournament so far, but a focused Michigan team is not an easy task. Sjerven vs. Hillmon will be a fantastic matchup down low. I think Michigan's rebounding and having a great wing in Brown give them the edge. Michigan 77-60.
Greensboro Regional:
1. South Carolina vs. 5. North Carolina. SC should win this game but UNC is probably their toughest obstacle pre-Final Four. UNC is solid defensively, rebounds well and capable of pulling off upsets. I think SC does its thing and gets a solid lead and rides it to a comfortable win despite the margin of victory not being massive. 59-50 SC.
3. Iowa State vs. 10. Creighton. Creighton won an epic game vs. Iowa to earn their spot in the Sweet 16, but I think their Cinderella story ends here. Look for Joens to have a statement game. Iowa State wins 69-52.
Spokane Regional:
1. Stanford vs. 4. Maryland. This is maybe the most intriguing matchup IMO, as both teams are loaded with talent and Maryland seems to finally be clicking. Diamond Miller and Ashley Owusu are playing their best basketball of the season right now and along with Angel Reese, they make up an insanely talented big 3 for Maryland. I could absolutely see Maryland pulling this off, but they've been so inconsistent this year I have to stick with Stanford in a hard fought 73-66 game.
2. Texas vs. 6. Ohio State. Another compelling matchup. Texas is one of the hottest teams in the country right now and Ohio State has one of the best backcourts in the nation. I think Texas probably holds on here but I expect Ohio State to make it competitive. 75-66 Texas.
Greensboro Regional:
1. NC State vs. 5. Notre Dame. Another very compelling game. Notre Dame is maybe the tournament's biggest wild card right now--a few weeks ago they were down 41-3 vs. Louisville, and then this weekend they were up 60-25 over Oklahoma at halftime. They beat NC State earlier this year, but NC State is a much steadier team and is looking like a legitimate title contender. I think NC State takes this round 76-63.
2. UCONN vs. 3. Indiana. Another contender for most intriguing game. Both teams have had ups and downs this year, dealt with injuries and almost lost at home to a double digit seed in the 2nd round but were able to eek by. I think this one is going to be a barn burner--UCONN has more talent but still seems unsettled with so many lineup changes this year and Bueckers clearly isn't 100%. Indiana has a savviness about them and Berger is playing really well, but I think the home crowd gives UCONN the slight edge it needs and they win 67-64.
Wichita Regional:
1. Louisville vs. 4. Tennessee. Louisville is playing well right now and Hailey Van Lith appears motivated after a disappointing ACC tournament. Tennessee somehow hobbled into the Sweet 16 after almost losing at home to Belmont. I don't think Tennessee generates enough offense and Louisville wins rather easily, 70-53.
3. Michigan vs 10. South Dakota. South Dakota pulled off arguably the upset of the tournament so far, but a focused Michigan team is not an easy task. Sjerven vs. Hillmon will be a fantastic matchup down low. I think Michigan's rebounding and having a great wing in Brown give them the edge. Michigan 77-60.