First Round
#1 Duke vs. #16 North Dakota State/North Carolina Central: We do not know yet who Duke is going to play, but it is irrelevant because neither ND Condition nor NC Central possess Zion Williamson. Duke does. Select: Duke
#8 VCU vs. #9 UCF: As is the case with 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 believe VCU’s defense does sufficient to continue in this one. Pick: VCU
#5 Mississippi State vs. #12 Liberty: The Flames will give Mississippi State a game, but I do not think that they have enough to conquer Quinndary Witherspoon and the Bulldogs. Pick: Mississippi State
#4 Virginia Tech vs. #13 Saint Louis: The Hokies get Justin Robinson back after a foot injury which sidelined the star guard for the last 12 matches of the year (including the ACC championship ). With Robinson back, VT is going to be able to move Nickeil Alexander-Walker back to more of a pure shot function than a distributor role. Select: Virginia Tech
#6 Maryland vs. #11 Belmont: Maryland is one of those Big Ten teams limping to the tournament as they dropped three of their last four games played. Belmont will keep this 1 close, but can not get their second NCAA tournament win. Select: Maryland
#3 LSU vs. #14 Yale: I really need to decide on the Bulldogs. Like, really, really wish to select on them. Miye Oni is a baller, and the Elis have the 10th best eFG% in the nation. . .but, their defense is not great. LSU still won’t have Will Wade on the sidelines, but I believe that the Tigers are simply too much in this one. Pick: LSU
#7 Louisville vs. #10 Minnesota: I mean, Louisville I figure? The most interesting thing about the game is that the committee set Richard Pitino against Poppa Pitino’s old squad. Jordan Nwora is the real deal and a whole lot of fun to watch, so. . .yeah. The Cards. Pick: Louisville
#2 Michigan State vs. #15 Bradley: Michigan State with no doubt. Select: Michigan State
Second Round
#1 Duke vs. #9 VCU: [checks rosters] Yep, Duke still has Zion Williamson. Pick: Duke
#4 Virginia Tech vs. #5 Mississippi State: Sticking together with the Hokies moving on to the Sweet 16. Kerry Blackshear has been great from the article and Ty Outlaw is one of the top three point shooters in the country in 46%. Pick: Va Tech
#6 Maryland vs. #3 LSU: Battle of the bigs. I’m extremely here for this particular match. Maryland’s Jaylen Smith and Bruno Fernando are as great a frontcourt as any in the nation, and they will have their hands filled with LSU’s Naz Reid. The Terps will not have sufficient outside shooting, so I am going with LSU to proceed in a close one. Select: LSU
#2 Michigan State vs. #7 Louisville: The Cardinals somehow squeaked an OT win over the Spartans back in late November, however I do not believe they get the season sweep. Ryan McMahon had 24 points in the triumph. MSU most likely will not have Kyle Ahrens from the tournament due to an accident in the Big Ten title game, but the Spartans have sufficient 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 Robinson. The Hokies will make a match of it, but Duke’s superstars are too much down the stretch. Select: Duke
#2 Michigan State vs. #3 LSU: Thus much chalk. MSU requires this one in an extremely physical matchup. Pick: Michigan State
Elite Eight
#1 Duke vs. #2 Michigan State: Should we don’t actually get this match, I will be furious. Some were surprised MSU got stuck in the East Region with Duke as the Spartans could have reasonably been a No. 1 seed themselves. Rather, they got matched up with the No. 1 overall seed in the Blue Devils. MSU will make Duke cover their errors, but Zion hits a game winner late. Pick: Duke
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