Diamondback Jay
Psalms 23:1
East Regional
1. North Carolina vs. Western Kentucky
No 16 seed has ever beaten a number 1 in NCAA Men's Tournament history, and this isn't going to be the game that breaks the tradition.
I see the Colonels putting up a respectable showing, perhaps making Carolina sweat it out for the first 5 minutes, however the talent gap here is too deep for them to even think of making a run.
Prediction: North Carolina 91, Eastern Kentucky 65
Marquette vs. Michigan State
Teacher vs. Pupil games are always the most exciting to watch, and this one should be no different.
The Golden Eagles will feel not having Jerel McNeal early on, however I forsee red-hot Dominic James bailing them out just enough to etch out a victory over the Spartans.
Prediction: Marquette 61, Michigan State 55
USC vs. Arkansas
Talk about saving your job-- Hogs coach Stan Heath was on the hottest of hot-seats before the SEC Tournament. After catching lightning in a bottle and making it to the conference championship game, he may have bought himself some time. A win in the tournament will only help his cause.
USC on the other hand, is a very streaky team. Tim Floyd has done a fantastic job bringing USC back in to the Top 25 and returning them to the tournament, however I think in this one, they get arrogant and attempt to play racehorse basketball with the Hogs, and wind up getting shut down by Steven Hill and company.
Prediction: Arkansas 77, USC 68
Texas vs. New Mexico State
This will be Kevin Durant's farewell to the college game, and if my crystal ball is functioning properly, I can forsee him and the Longhorns having a Syracuse-esque run in to the Final Four and possibly beyond.
Reggie Theus is a very good coach. Look for him to be elsewhere, other than Las Cruces, NM next year. However, in this one, Texas will prove to be just too much for the Aggies to handle. They'll keep it close....... but........
Prediction: Texas 68, New Mexico State 61
Vanderbilt vs. George Washington
Here's one of my first upset picks..
Gee Dub is riding a hot hand coming in to the tournament, winning eight in a row, with five of those eight coming on the road/neutural site games. The backcourt of Maureece Rice and Carl Elliot are capable and WILL control the pace of this game, while underrated Regis Koundja is at worst capable of maintaining either Derrick Byars or Shan Foster, Vandy's wing players.
With the inability to do anything after their two top dogs are minimalized, the Commodores bow out early.
Prediction: George Washington 55, Vanderbilt 49
Washington State vs. Oral Roberts
And now... The REAL Upset of my picks.
Check my brackets.. In every single one, I have Oral Roberts beating Wazzu..
I really like Caleb Green, and think that there's noone on Washington State's roster who can counter him. Also, underrated point guard Ken Tutt will find the right open shots and teammates to maintain the pace of the game. Remember also, the Golden Eagles beat Kansas IN Lawrence.. This team's battle tested enough to beat the underwhelming Cougars.
I see this being a buzzer beater but..
Prediction: Oral Roberts 78, Washington State 75
Boston College vs. Texas Tech
It's a three man team (Dudley, Marshall and Rice) versus a 2 man team (Jackson and Zeno).
You know the saying about numbers right?
Prediction: Boston College 60, Texas Tech 55
Georgetown vs. Belmont
Georgetown's everyone's chic pick to make the Final Four.. While I see them losing before that point, it's not going to be to Belmont.
Prediction: Georgetown 91, Belmont 60
Midwest Regional
Florida vs. Jackson State
The Gators attempt to become the first team since Duke to repeat as NCAA Champions. Where I don't see them doing the trick, I DO see them blowing Jackson State out of the water.
Prediction: Florida 98, Jackson State 45
Arizona vs. Purdue
Meet the most frustrating team in the NCAA Tournament-- the Wildcats of Arizona.
Talentwise, this team has all kinds of talent. Based off of just talent alone, this team COULD (key word being COULD) make some noise in this tournament. However, their lax defense and poor chemsitry could have them bounced just as quickly.
Either way, I see them beating Purdue. They've got too much talent for the Boilermakers to handle. Whereas the Boilers have a very decent defense, the offense is poor.
Prediction: Arizona 63, Purdue 48
Butler vs. Old Dominion
Which Butler shows up could dictate how far or how quickly the Bulldogs go.
If the Butler squad that won the Pre-Season NIT shows up, they could go to the Sweet 16.
If the Butler who lost four of it's last eight shows up, they get bounced by an experienced and hungry Monarch squad.
I'm gonna go with the former, but hold my breath doing so.
Prediction: Butler 51, Old Dominion 47
Maryland vs. Davidson
The Wildcats are another team who could make a trip to the 16, based largely off the hands of Stephen Curry.
I think the Cats keep it close, however Maryland's experience plays out.
Prediction: Maryland 59, Davidson 53
Notre Dame vs. Winthrop
Gregg Marshall's one of college basketball's brightest coaches, however come March, his Eagles are 0 fer the tournament.
As they say though, there's a first time for everything, and if the Eagles were ever suited to break that streak, it's this year.
Prediction:Winthrop 55, Notre Dame 52
Oregon vs. Miami (OH)
Meet coach #2 who may have saved his job by a good run in conference tournament play, the Ducks blew threw the Pac 10 tournament with ease, temporarily silencing critics in Eugene.
Those boo birds will come back in a hurry if the Ducks bow out early. Where I only see them riding this wave so far, they're in for at least one win, and beat a game, but overmatched Red Hawk squad.
Prediction: Oregon 69, Miami 62
UNLV vs. Georgia Tech
Does it seem hard to believe that UNLV is making their first tournament trip in almost seven years? Hell, it seems like just yesterday, they were one of the premier teams in college basketball under Jerry Tarkanian.
Give Lon Kruger credit here, he's brought Runnin' Rebel basketball back to prominence, and this team is one that COULD be a sleeper.
Georgia Tech is a good matchup for the Rebs. Both Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young are explosive and capable of putting the Yellow Jackets on their backs and carrying them in to a few wins in the tourney.
The main issue with G-Tech this year has been lousy defensive play and poor play on the road, going 3-10 away from home this season.
I see this going down to the wire.
Prediction: UNLV 78, Georgia Tech 74
Wisconsin vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Wisconsin's one of my final four teams, for the mere fact that defensively, they're one of the best in the Nation. They've shown capability of shutting down the best of the best.
They should have little issue beating the up-and-coming, excited to be here Islanders.
Prediction: Wisconsin 69, Texas A&M CC 48
Other predicted scores.
South
Ohio State 99, Central Connecticut State 44
Xavier 65, BYU 59
Tennessee 75, Long Beach State 63
Virginia 81, Albany 72
Louisville 70, Stanford 54
Texas A&M 82, Penn 59
Nevada 81, Creighton 79 (OT)
Memphis 91, North Texas 70
West
Kansas 103, Niagra 68
Villanova 78, Kentucky 69
Illinois 69, Virginia Tech 60
Southern Illinois 58, Holy Cross 55
Duke 60, Virginia Commonwealth 53
Pitt 82, Wright State 65
Gonzaga 66, Indiana 62
UCLA 98, Weber State 44
1. North Carolina vs. Western Kentucky
No 16 seed has ever beaten a number 1 in NCAA Men's Tournament history, and this isn't going to be the game that breaks the tradition.
I see the Colonels putting up a respectable showing, perhaps making Carolina sweat it out for the first 5 minutes, however the talent gap here is too deep for them to even think of making a run.
Prediction: North Carolina 91, Eastern Kentucky 65
Marquette vs. Michigan State
Teacher vs. Pupil games are always the most exciting to watch, and this one should be no different.
The Golden Eagles will feel not having Jerel McNeal early on, however I forsee red-hot Dominic James bailing them out just enough to etch out a victory over the Spartans.
Prediction: Marquette 61, Michigan State 55
USC vs. Arkansas
Talk about saving your job-- Hogs coach Stan Heath was on the hottest of hot-seats before the SEC Tournament. After catching lightning in a bottle and making it to the conference championship game, he may have bought himself some time. A win in the tournament will only help his cause.
USC on the other hand, is a very streaky team. Tim Floyd has done a fantastic job bringing USC back in to the Top 25 and returning them to the tournament, however I think in this one, they get arrogant and attempt to play racehorse basketball with the Hogs, and wind up getting shut down by Steven Hill and company.
Prediction: Arkansas 77, USC 68
Texas vs. New Mexico State
This will be Kevin Durant's farewell to the college game, and if my crystal ball is functioning properly, I can forsee him and the Longhorns having a Syracuse-esque run in to the Final Four and possibly beyond.
Reggie Theus is a very good coach. Look for him to be elsewhere, other than Las Cruces, NM next year. However, in this one, Texas will prove to be just too much for the Aggies to handle. They'll keep it close....... but........
Prediction: Texas 68, New Mexico State 61
Vanderbilt vs. George Washington
Here's one of my first upset picks..
Gee Dub is riding a hot hand coming in to the tournament, winning eight in a row, with five of those eight coming on the road/neutural site games. The backcourt of Maureece Rice and Carl Elliot are capable and WILL control the pace of this game, while underrated Regis Koundja is at worst capable of maintaining either Derrick Byars or Shan Foster, Vandy's wing players.
With the inability to do anything after their two top dogs are minimalized, the Commodores bow out early.
Prediction: George Washington 55, Vanderbilt 49
Washington State vs. Oral Roberts
And now... The REAL Upset of my picks.
Check my brackets.. In every single one, I have Oral Roberts beating Wazzu..
I really like Caleb Green, and think that there's noone on Washington State's roster who can counter him. Also, underrated point guard Ken Tutt will find the right open shots and teammates to maintain the pace of the game. Remember also, the Golden Eagles beat Kansas IN Lawrence.. This team's battle tested enough to beat the underwhelming Cougars.
I see this being a buzzer beater but..
Prediction: Oral Roberts 78, Washington State 75
Boston College vs. Texas Tech
It's a three man team (Dudley, Marshall and Rice) versus a 2 man team (Jackson and Zeno).
You know the saying about numbers right?
Prediction: Boston College 60, Texas Tech 55
Georgetown vs. Belmont
Georgetown's everyone's chic pick to make the Final Four.. While I see them losing before that point, it's not going to be to Belmont.
Prediction: Georgetown 91, Belmont 60
Midwest Regional
Florida vs. Jackson State
The Gators attempt to become the first team since Duke to repeat as NCAA Champions. Where I don't see them doing the trick, I DO see them blowing Jackson State out of the water.
Prediction: Florida 98, Jackson State 45
Arizona vs. Purdue
Meet the most frustrating team in the NCAA Tournament-- the Wildcats of Arizona.
Talentwise, this team has all kinds of talent. Based off of just talent alone, this team COULD (key word being COULD) make some noise in this tournament. However, their lax defense and poor chemsitry could have them bounced just as quickly.
Either way, I see them beating Purdue. They've got too much talent for the Boilermakers to handle. Whereas the Boilers have a very decent defense, the offense is poor.
Prediction: Arizona 63, Purdue 48
Butler vs. Old Dominion
Which Butler shows up could dictate how far or how quickly the Bulldogs go.
If the Butler squad that won the Pre-Season NIT shows up, they could go to the Sweet 16.
If the Butler who lost four of it's last eight shows up, they get bounced by an experienced and hungry Monarch squad.
I'm gonna go with the former, but hold my breath doing so.
Prediction: Butler 51, Old Dominion 47
Maryland vs. Davidson
The Wildcats are another team who could make a trip to the 16, based largely off the hands of Stephen Curry.
I think the Cats keep it close, however Maryland's experience plays out.
Prediction: Maryland 59, Davidson 53
Notre Dame vs. Winthrop
Gregg Marshall's one of college basketball's brightest coaches, however come March, his Eagles are 0 fer the tournament.
As they say though, there's a first time for everything, and if the Eagles were ever suited to break that streak, it's this year.
Prediction:Winthrop 55, Notre Dame 52
Oregon vs. Miami (OH)
Meet coach #2 who may have saved his job by a good run in conference tournament play, the Ducks blew threw the Pac 10 tournament with ease, temporarily silencing critics in Eugene.
Those boo birds will come back in a hurry if the Ducks bow out early. Where I only see them riding this wave so far, they're in for at least one win, and beat a game, but overmatched Red Hawk squad.
Prediction: Oregon 69, Miami 62
UNLV vs. Georgia Tech
Does it seem hard to believe that UNLV is making their first tournament trip in almost seven years? Hell, it seems like just yesterday, they were one of the premier teams in college basketball under Jerry Tarkanian.
Give Lon Kruger credit here, he's brought Runnin' Rebel basketball back to prominence, and this team is one that COULD be a sleeper.
Georgia Tech is a good matchup for the Rebs. Both Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young are explosive and capable of putting the Yellow Jackets on their backs and carrying them in to a few wins in the tourney.
The main issue with G-Tech this year has been lousy defensive play and poor play on the road, going 3-10 away from home this season.
I see this going down to the wire.
Prediction: UNLV 78, Georgia Tech 74
Wisconsin vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Wisconsin's one of my final four teams, for the mere fact that defensively, they're one of the best in the Nation. They've shown capability of shutting down the best of the best.
They should have little issue beating the up-and-coming, excited to be here Islanders.
Prediction: Wisconsin 69, Texas A&M CC 48
Other predicted scores.
South
Ohio State 99, Central Connecticut State 44
Xavier 65, BYU 59
Tennessee 75, Long Beach State 63
Virginia 81, Albany 72
Louisville 70, Stanford 54
Texas A&M 82, Penn 59
Nevada 81, Creighton 79 (OT)
Memphis 91, North Texas 70
West
Kansas 103, Niagra 68
Villanova 78, Kentucky 69
Illinois 69, Virginia Tech 60
Southern Illinois 58, Holy Cross 55
Duke 60, Virginia Commonwealth 53
Pitt 82, Wright State 65
Gonzaga 66, Indiana 62
UCLA 98, Weber State 44
Last edited:
