March Madness this 12 months comes at a time of nice uncertainty in school sports activities.
In addition to eyeing potential 5-12 upsets and making an attempt to determine which sleeper to place within the Elite Eight, followers even have to think about extra existential questions on school basketball’s future. How will realignment have an effect on the make-up of Division I? How a lot will football-related selections have an effect on basketball? How lengthy will the NCAA Tournament keep at 68 groups, and if it adjustments, what is going to that imply for the Cinderellas of March?
For now, this occasion appears just about the way in which it has for a era. Don’t take it as a right as you fill out your brackets — and for those who want some suggestions, right here you go. A Final Four with UConn, Houston, Gonzaga and Michigan State? Let us clarify:
First spherical winners: UConn, Northwestern, San Diego State, Auburn, BYU, Illinois, Drake, Iowa State.
Yale brings 7-footer Danny Wolf and an skilled supporting solid, however drew a tricky first-round matchup in opposition to fourth-seeded Auburn. The Tigers are ranked No. 4 within the nation by Ken Pomeroy.
Second spherical winners: UConn, Auburn, Illinois, Iowa State.
The Sweet 16 on this area may embody the convention event champions of the Big East, SEC, Big Ten and Big 12.
Regional semifinal winners: UConn, Iowa State.
UConn is the betting favourite to win a second straight nationwide title. The Huskies are additionally ranked No. 1 by Pomeroy, and though we’re used to surprises it’s arduous to select them to exit earlier than the Elite Eight.
Regional champion: UConn. Iowa State had a case for a No. 1 seed, however there’s a niche between the Cyclones and the Huskies.
First Four: Colorado over Boise State.
First spherical winners: Houston, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Duke, Texas Tech, Kentucky, Florida, Marquette.
James Madison over Wisconsin figures to be a preferred first-round upset choose — possibly a little bit too standard. Same with Vermont over Duke. The chalk holds on this area, for this spherical anyway.
Second spherical winners: Houston, Duke, Kentucky, Florida.
Kentucky’s protection needs to be its undoing ultimately, however the Wildcats beat Texas Tech in a conflict of types.
Regional semifinal winners: Houston, Kentucky.
The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight within the South are being held in Dallas, so anticipate the Cougars to have loads of assist.
Regional champion: Houston. The Cougars needs to be properly ready after becoming a member of the Big 12 and going through a power-conference schedule. It’s on to the Final Four for Kelvin Sampson’s workforce.
First Four: Montana State over Grambling State, Colorado State over Virginia.
First spherical winners: Purdue, TCU, Gonzaga, Samford, Oregon, Creighton, Texas, Saint Peter’s.
“Dickinson” is the important thing phrase on this area. Kansas large man Hunter Dickinson didn’t play within the Big 12 Tournament, and his well being has been a priority for the Jayhawks. Top-seeded Purdue, in the meantime, must keep away from being haunted by final 12 months’s loss to Sixteenth-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson.
The Boilermakers advance. The fourth-seeded Jayhawks go down in opposition to Samford.
Second spherical winners: Purdue, Gonzaga, Creighton, Saint Peter’s.
Three occasions previously 5 tournaments, a No. 15 seed has made the Sweet 16, so don’t be afraid to select one. And hey, Saint Peter’s has achieved it earlier than from this identical seed line.
Regional semifinal winners: Gonzaga, Creighton.
Purdue might be below loads of strain to keep away from underachieving within the NCAA Tournament once more. The Boilermakers get by means of the primary weekend however fall wanting an prolonged run.
Regional champion: Gonzaga. The Zags get an opportunity to fly below the radar this 12 months, and with a shaky Kansas workforce close to them within the bracket, there’s a positive path to the Sweet 16. If Gonzaga can get previous Purdue, the Final Four may be very a lot in play.
First Four: Howard over Wagner.
First spherical winners: North Carolina, Michigan State, Saint Mary’s, Alabama, New Mexico, Baylor, Nevada, Arizona.
Arizona is one other workforce making an attempt to rebound from a first-round loss in 2023, and top-seeded North Carolina returns after lacking the event completely final 12 months.
Second spherical winners: Michigan State, Saint Mary’s, New Mexico, Arizona.
It’s nearly a cliche to select Tom Izzo’s workforce to overachieve in March, however Michigan State’s Pomeroy rank (18th) suggests the Spartans are harmful as a No. 9 seed.
Regional semifinal winners: Michigan State, Arizona.
Here’s a query you don’t hear usually: Can Michigan State maintain its personal in opposition to Saint Mary’s on the boards? The numbers counsel it will be robust, however the Spartans pull it out with protection.
Regional champion: Michigan State. The Big Ten and SEC aren’t making a variety of associates as of late. The Spartans stop them from getting shut out of the Final Four.
Of the 2 underdogs on this Final Four, Gonzaga is extra more likely to advance as a result of it could harm Houston on the boards, however finally UConn and Houston survive to arrange a matchup between two former American Athletic Conference groups.
The Huskies are in all probability the higher all-around workforce, however it’s simply too arduous to repeat. Houston wins all of it.
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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and protection: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
