The 2013 NCAA tournament is upon us. We all know what that means: filling out several thousand brackets, cursing hysterically at the number of said brackets that will be shot to hell after the first weekend, calling in to work with your “sick” voices so you all could watch the first two rounds at the local sports bars.
While most of my bracket predictions may go down in a blaze of glory once again, here is how I see the NCAA tournament shaping out…
South Region
Top four seeds:
- Kansas
- Georgetown
- Florida
- Michigan
Dark horses: UNC and VCU
Analysis: Kansas has had a history of underachieving during the NCAA tournaments (last year notwithstanding). I think the Jayhawks will come up short again this year. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if UNC knocks them off in the second round. Speaking of UNC, they may have been disappointing during the majority of the regular season but are on a roll as of late, almost winning the ACC tournament Sunday.
I’d keep an eye on VCU as well. VCU plays at a frenetic pace that is reminiscent of Arkansas’ “40 minutes of hell” days.
Nevertheless, I think Georgetown is the best team in the region. Otto Porter, Jr is the truth and I do not see any team in this region stopping him and the Hoyas.
East Region
Top four seeds:
- Indiana
- Miami
- Marquette
- Syracuse
Dark horse: NC State
Analysis: NC State has one of the most talented rosters in the country – and certainly the most talented in the region. If the Wolfpack could put their heads together (re: if CJ Leslie shows up), they would be a force to be reckoned with in the East. But as the saying goes, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. While NC State will win its first game, it will go down to Indiana in flames.
Speaking of Indiana, the only team I think can stop them is Miami. Miami is the truth, and proved it in winning both the ACC regular season and tournament championships. Hell, it won in what was considered a road game against UNC in the tournament title game in Greensboro. Coach Jim Larranaga has those boys on a mission, and the mission will end with the Hurricanes winning the region.
Midwest Region
Top four seeds:
- Louisville
- Duke
- Michigan State
- St. Louis
Dark horse: Michigan State
Analysis: This is easily the hardest region of the tournament. Either Louisville, Duke or Michigan State could win this region. Louisville, is the overall top seed. It is one of the most complete teams in the country. The Cardinals ran roughshod through the Big East tournament Saturday, and should be the favorites the win the Midwest region.
Michigan State is one of those teams who always shows up during tournament time. This year won’t be any different. The Spartans are tough, rugged, and one of the better rebounding teams in the country. It had a good run in the Big Ten (arguably the best basketball conference this season) tournament. The Spartans should easily advance to face Duke in the Sweet 16.
Duke is going to be a rather pissed off team this tournament. The Blue Devils took Maryland lightly in the ACC tournament and paid dearly for it. If Duke had won the ACC tournament, it would have been a #1 seed. Now the Blue Devils could take out its frustrations as a 2-seed.
In fact, the winner of the Michigan State-Duke matchup will beat Louisville and win the Midwest region. In fact, I think Duke will be that team.
West Region
Top four seeds:
- Gonzaga
- Ohio State
- New Mexico
- Kansas State
Dark horse: Wisconsin
Analysis: Look, I am glad to see Gonzaga grab a top seed. It’s good to see the “mid-majors” representing – though it could be argued that Gonzaga is not longer a “little guy”. That said, I don’t see the Zags going far in this tournament. In fact, look for them to lose to Pitt the next round.
Now with that out of the way, I’m going to lay out why I think the Ohio State Buckeyes will come up roses in the West region. For starters, look at the competition in their end of the bracket. Besides their walk-over opening game, the winner of the Notre Dame-Iowa State is no match for the Buckeyes. And while New Mexico is a good team, I don’t see them beating Ohio State. The winner of the West region will come down between Ohio State and Wisconsin. And we all remember what happened the last time those two teams met…
Final Four: Georgetown, Miami, Duke, Ohio State
2013 National Champion: Duke (I just threw up in my mouth)
Categories: college basketball
Whoa Scott! You put my Dukesters in the Championship and winning?! I’ve been a Duke fan for life and I’m not even doing that this year. It’s a toss up. I haven’t even looked at my bracket yet. I’ve been wrapped up in the WBC. I gave up on predicting college basketball earlier this year. Anything can happen.
Pitinoes are always better in march and they had a chance to beat duke without Gorgui Dieng. Stats wise if Gorgui plays and gets 1 third of his production Louisville wins on a nuetral floor. Louisville vs Duke on neutral floor….Pitino team in march…Gorgui back…I see a louisville win if duke makes it….Louisville has no bad loses they are 15 points from being undefeated.