March Madness Predictions

March+Madness+Predictions

Gavin Frick, Editor in Chief

March Madness is easily one of my favorite season of the year. The anticipation on Selection Sunday is unmatched and the excitement while filling out a bracket is incredibly fun. Then my favorite part, watching the First Round noon games on my phone on Thursday and Friday.

 

This season is different. Many people are unsure who they should select to win their bracket. Well if you’re reading this, you’re in luck. Consider me your crystal ball into the future. In the next few seconds, you will be reading exactly what will happen in the next few weeks.

 

Well. Not exactly. That’s nearly impossible..but this is the closest I can get.

 

South Region

 

Where the #1 overall seed Virginia resigns, the South region is stacked. Entering the tournament, I was praying for Tennessee to have an easy waltz into the Final 4. Well, that fell through. Tennessee was seeded 3rd in the most difficult region, accompanied by #2 Cincinnati, #4 Arizona, and the SEC Champions #5 Kentucky.

 

Well, outside of the heavy hitters, expect some drama throughout the region. I’m predicting that #11 seed Loyola-Chicago will defeat the #6 seed Miami Hurricanes. In addition, I have the #10 seeded Texas Longhorns defeating the #7 seed Nevada Wolfpack. Despite the weak image, don’t sleep on Cincinnati, who have a very real chance of punching their ticket to the Final 4 considering their explosive offense. Watch out for the #15 seed Georgia State to make some noise. A much more dangerous #15 seed than we have usually seen. Don’t be surprised if the Panthers pull off the upset over the #2 Bearcats.

 

However, with the recent injury of Virginia’s star player, I can say with confidence that Tennessee and Kentucky will meet in the South Regional Final and the 3rd seeded Volunteers will punch their ticket to the Final 4, representing the best conference in the NCAA, the SEC.

 

East Region

 

In another competitive region, the #1 seed Villanova looks to rebound after its early exit in last years tournament. Along with Villanova resides the #2 seeded Purdue, #3 Texas Tech, and #4 Wichita State, all stand chances to walk their way to the Final 4.

 

I really like #6 Florida. Quality wins over incredibly good teams including Kentucky, Cincinnati, Gonzaga, and Auburn. Four Top 16 teams. Florida will be a team to watch. Along with Florida, I like Arkansas’s chances to pull of an upset over #2 Purdue in the Round of 32. When the two teams meet, I have Florida advancing to face Villanova in the Elite 8.

 

At the end of the day, I think Villanova is a top 3 team and i’d imagine they take care of business, avenging their loss from last season.

 

Midwest Region

 

I was extremely disappointed with the draw for the Midwest region. Entering Selection Sunday, I was hoping Duke and Michigan State would be put on opposite sides of the bracket. Both are teams I believe could bring home the National Championship in April. However, the two teams were punished and scheduled a date in the Sweet 16, the winner, possibly facing the #1 seeded Kansas Jayhawks in the Elite 8, that’s if Kansas can get around the most talent #16 seed ever, Penn. Ivy League teams at known for pulling off the big ones. If it’s going to happen this year, it’ll be Penn becoming first ever #16 seed to ever beat a #1.

 

Despite the conflict, I just think the #2 seed Duke and #3 seed Michigan State are both good enough to pull of the string of victories and at the end of the day, the winner will go on to play in the Final 4. In addition, I have the #13 seed Charleston pulling off the upset on #4 Auburn. After their devastating loss of their Center, the Tigers have been rattled by Alabama and could barely beat South Carolina at home. The Tigers are in trouble.

 

At the end of the day, Duke and Michigan State are the best two teams in the NCAA. The Duke Blue Devils will go on to defeat the Spartans and the Jayhawks and march into April as the most talented team left in the field.

 

West Region

 

In the weakest region, the hometown Ohio State Buckeyes find themselves as a #5 seed in #1 Xavier’s region, the weakest #1 seed. However, the Buckeyes first must defeat a red hot South Dakota State team, who is the best #12 seed in the tournament. If the Buckeyes manage to defeat the Jackrabbits, I can’t imagine them winning again. Especially if they must face the #4 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs.

 

Elsewhere in the region, the #2 seeded North Carolina Tar Heels are coming off an awfully impressive ACC Tournament and will carry that momentum throughout the region, defeating #15 Lipscomb, #10 Providence, and red hot #3 seed Michigan.

 

The Tarheels will then matchup against the #4 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs in a rematch of the 2017 National Championship and once again, the Tar Heels will reign again.

 

Final 4

 

In the battle of the #3 seed Tennessee Volunteers and #2 North Carolina Tarheels, the blue blood will dominate and advance to their third straight National Championship. Awaiting them will be their blue blood rival, the #2 seed Duke Blue Devils.

 

The best rivalry in college basketball won’t disappoint but at the end of the day, the #2 Duke Blue Devils will win the most prestigious title in College Sports, winning their 6th National Championship, becoming the third most winningest program ever.