It’s time for the Madness. Here is my analysis of each region, along with my eventual Final Four and national champion picks.
South Region: When looking at the South region, it quickly jumps out at you how cushy Kansas’ path to the Final Four really is. There’s a tricky matchup with UConn in the second round, and then Villanova and Miami once they get to the later stages, but any region where 5-seed Maryland might be the toughest test a number-one seed has to face is not exactly daunting. I’m taking the Jayhawks to get to the Final Four with relative ease.
Upset special: Hawaii over California.
Sleeper: Wichita State.
West Region: The West region is intriguing simply because there isn’t one team that I would label as “great.” There are several good teams but not one that is head-andshoulders above the rest. This is the kind of region where a strong 7 or 8-seed could make a run. I’ve ultimately got Duke beating Texas A&M to go to the Final Four. The Blue Devils aren’t super deep, but they have more top-level talent than anyone else, plus Coach K. I’m rolling with the Dukies.
Upset Special: St. Joseph’s over Oregon.
Sleeper : Northern Iowa.
East Region: Also known as the gauntlet, the East region is going to be an absolute bloodbath. UNC, Xavier, West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana are all teams that, if they were in another region, would be tempting Final Four picks – but they’re all in the same region. Yikes. At the end of the day, I’m going with West Virginia here. Bob Huggins is an incredibly underrated coach, and they’ve been consistent throughout the year in college basketball’s toughest conference.
Upset Special: Wisconsin over Xavier.
Sleeper: Providence.
Midwest Region: The Midwest region has a great team as a 1-seed (Virginia) and a great team as a 2-seed (Michigan State), with a lot of alright teams in between them. This typically sets up for lots of first round upsets and weird teams in the Sweet 16, but ultimately gives us the 1 vs. 2 showdown we’re all looking for. I expect that here, and for the third year in a row, Michigan State knocks out Virginia. “Don’t pick against Tom Izzo in March” has been the number-one rule of my bracket for the last few years, and it hasn’t failed me yet.
Upset Special: Little Rock to the Sweet 16.
Sleeper: Seton Hall.
Final Four Picks: Kansas over Duke, Michigan State over West Virginia.
National Title Pick: Michigan State over Kansas.
