It’s one of my favorite times of the year: March Madness. The 68-team field is set and millions of brackets are set to be filled out. Having a good bracket this year, though, will be much tougher than usual. It has been an upset-ridden year in college basketball, which should cause more madness than ever. But here is my guide to help you pick your bracket.
Upset Alert
First Round games that could result in an upset
No. 6 Miami vs. No. 11 Loyola-Chicago
You may not know it, but Loyola-Chicago has one of the best defenses in the country this season, holding opponent’s to an average of 62.2 points per game (5th in NCAA). The Ramblers are a solid squad all-around with five players averaging double-digit points. Meanwhile, Miami is still without star guard Bruce Brown and are 7-4 without him. The Ramblers’ great defense and guard scoring could help propel them to victory.
No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 12 South Dakota State
South Dakota State boasts the sixth-best offense in the nation this season, led by dominant big man Mike Daum who averages 23.8 PPG and 10.4 RPG. High powered offenses are usually key in making a high-profile upset like this happen. On the other side, the Buckeyes have struggled down the stretch, losing three of their last five games (including two to unranked Penn State). If the Jackrabbits can slow down Big Ten Player of the Year Keita Bates-Diop and tough forward Jae’Sean Tate, they can definitely pull off the upset.
No. 4 Auburn vs. No. 13 Charleston
Charleston, when you look at team stats, doesn’t really jump off the page. But they have a trio of players that can fill it up, in guards Grant Riller and Joe Chealey, and forward Jarrell Brantley. But in my opinion, I really think Auburn is not as good as they appear on paper. The Tigers lost four of their last six games, including getting blown out by rival Alabama in their first game of the SEC Tournament. The Cougars may not win this game, but it should be much closer than people think.
Other candidates
No. 5 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Davidson, No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 12 New Mexico State, No. 6 TCU vs. No. 11 Arizona State/Syracuse
Players to Watch
DeAndre Ayton, Arizona
Ayton has arguably been the best player in college basketball in the past month. The 7-foot-1-inch center leads his team in points, rebounds and blocks. He has an incredible inside game to go with a sweet stroke from beyond the arc. He should get a lot of attention from every opponent the Wildcats come across.
Collin Sexton, Alabama
The freshman phenom has been heating up late in the season with a 31-point game against rival Auburn and a 27-point game against tournament team Texas A&M. He excels at getting to the basket and executing tough finishes, and he has a tendency to get flashy every once in a while. It could get interesting with Sexton if the Tide get a chance to face top-seeded Villanova in the second round.
Miles Bridges, Michigan State
Bridges made the surprising decision this offseason to not go to the draft as a potential lottery pick. He wanted another chance to make it far in the big dance after a second-round exit last season. Bridges leads the Spartans in points and steals and is just a very good all-around player. Look for Bridges and the Spartans to make noise in the Midwest region.
Joel Berry II, North Carolina
Berry, already a Final Four Most Outstanding Player, is back in the tournament for one last time. He’s a tough guard, good at shielding off big men going up for layups, and he is a great three-point shooter. He hasn’t been very efficient as of late, but look for his leadership to play a huge role in the Tar Heels’ tournament run.
Other Players to Watch
Trae Young, Oklahoma; Marvin Bagley III, Duke; Trevon Bluiett, Xavier; Jalen Brunson, Villanova
Cinderellas
Low seeds that could make a deep tournament run
No. 8 Missouri, West Region
The Tigers have been missing No. 2 recruit Michael Porter Jr. all season but he is finally back. He has only played one game after the injury, which could be an issue, but adding him to an already pretty solid team could be dangerous. And where they are in the bracket, the Tigers are a win vs. Florida State and an upset vs. No. 1 Xavier away from making deep run.
No. 7 Arkansas, East Region
The Razorbacks have a high-scoring duo in the backcourt with Daryl Macon and Jaylen Barford, who both shoot over 42 percent from three-point range. Last season, they played, and were in a position to beat the eventual champion North Carolina. The high seeds in the bottom half of the East Region (No. 2 Purdue and No. 3 Texas Tech) historically don’t make it far in the tournament, which can work out for the Razorbacks in the long run.
No. 12 New Mexico State, Midwest Region
The Aggies are fourth in the nation averaging 41.5 RPG as a team. That being said, rebounding is an advantage for them against just about every opponent. Couple that with their top 10 defense, and the Aggies could have a chance at beating not only Clemson, but potential opponent Auburn en route to the Sweet 16.
Other possible Cinderellas to look for
No. 12 Davidson, South Region; No. 12 South Dakota State, West Region; No. 9 Alabama, East Region
My Final Four
Arizona, South Region
The Wildcats are one of the hottest teams in America behind Wooden Award finalist DeAndre Ayton and high-scoring guard Allonzo Trier. Not only do they have the talent, but they seem to be playing with a chip on their shoulder. A potential Sweet 16 matchup with Virginia would be by far their biggest obstacle on their way to San Antonio, but that’s a game they can certainly win, especially with ACC Sixth Man of the Year De’Andre Hunter out for the tournament.
Villanova, East Region
Look, more Wildcats. ‘Nova has the No. 1 offense in America, led by senior guard Jalen Brunson, a Wooden Award finalist. They are second in the NCAA in three-pointers made, which is key in March. Additionally, the other top seeds in their region are historically not good in the tournament. I expect the Wildcats to get back to the Final Four after getting upset in the second round last season.
Michigan State, Midwest Region
The Spartans, in my opinion, were misseeded by being placed as a three seed. Led by Miles Bridges and Cassius Winston, they have the talent to beat anyone. The first two seeds in their region, No. 1 Kansas and No. 2 Duke, have struggled in the tournament in recent years (with the exception of Duke’s championship in 2015). I like the Spartans to come out of the Midwest to play Villanova.
North Carolina, West Region
Okay, this may come with a little bit of bias, but I think the Tar Heels can make the Final Four for the third straight season. Led by seniors Joel Berry and Theo Pinson, the Tar Heels boast the most tournament experience. Adding Kenny Williams and Cameron Johnson to this year’s run should help significantly, in addition to a favorable region. The biggest potential obstacle on their road to the Final Four will be Michigan, a team they have already beat. I think the Tar Heels will make the trip to San Antonio to play Arizona.
-By Jeffrey Marcin
