Sweet Sixteen - Picking the Games

I've reranked the teams, but as we all know, March is made for upsets. Here are my picks for the Round of Sixteen in the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

Kentucky vs. West Virginia

This is the first time Kentucky's guards will have been tested all tournament. Things should be interesting early, especially if the Mountaineers can continue to force turnovers, and continue to score off those turnovers at the clip they have been doing so. That being said, don't expect this game to stay close to deep into the second half. I have the Wildcats winning by a comfortable margin.

Result: Kentucky 72 - West Virginia 59

Gonzaga vs. UCLA

These teams met earlier in the season and Gonzaga won comfortably, even with the Bruins shooting better than 45% from behind the arc. You can expect a similar result, but a larger margin of victory. Gonzaga's offense is just too efficient. It'll take a huge effort from UCLA to keep this one close.

Result: Gonzaga 84 - UCLA 63

Arizona vs. Xavier

Xavier has a great all around game. But the Wildcats are just too well-rounded for this to be close. We have a collision course for a rematch of last years Elite Eight matchup between Wisconsin and Arizona. Arizona has been red hot since the middle of February, and I don't foresee them not making it past the Musketeers. The game will be closer than people anticipate, but Arizona will never really be in trouble.

Result: Arizona 78 - Xavier 67

Wisconsin vs North Carolina

North Carolina has looked great so far. Wisconsin, not so much. Still, North Carolina will face a tremendous task in containing Frank Kaminsky if sophomore Kennedy Meeks can't go. Anything is possible with Marcus Paige on the court. Expect an offensive outburst from him, somewhere in the 28 point range. Still, Wisconsin's offense is just too good.

Result: Wisconsin 81 - North Carolina 72

Louisville vs. NC State

This game could go either way. Louisville is a solid favorite, but this is a team that has struggled with consistency. I look for the Wolf Pack to rattle them early and make a game of it, but Montrezl Harrell and Louisville's defense will wear them down. Rick Pitino is too talented a coach to not have his boys ready to bang inside with a four days of prep.

Result: Louisville 54 - NC State 52

Duke vs. Utah

This matchup is my second favorite of the Sweet Sixteen. I think it will be closer than people realize, particularly with Utah's excellent defense. If they can contain Jahlil Okafor inside this could be a long day for the Blue Devils. It's hard to bet agains Coach K on almost a week of prep. My heart says Utah will win a close game in overtime, but my head says Duke pulls it out. 

Result: Utah 75 - Duke 72 *OT* (looks like my heart won)

Oklahoma vs Michigan State

This is an interesting matchup. Oklahoma has been unheralded much of the year, falling right in the mid to late teens in the AP Top 25. Tom Izzo's squad has lacked the talent of previous teams, but have performed well nonetheless. I just don't think Michigan State's offense will be able to score enough against a stout Sooner defense to pull this one out.

Result: Oklahoma 59 - Michigan State 54

Notre Dame vs Wichita State

This is a pick 'em game. Honestly. Pick one of these teams. That's how evenly matched they are. Entering the tournament, I had Notre Dame making it to the Elite Eight to face Kentucky. The logic then was simple. An extremely talented offense (#2 in the Nation in Offensive Efficiency) coming off an ACC Tournament Title has to win at least three games, right? Especially given that the #2 seed in their region was Kansas. Well, Wichita State is an entirely different beast. Given Notre Dame's abhorrant offense in the tournament thus far, I think the Shockers have enough offensive firepower to pull off yet another tourney upset. This squad has Final Four experience, and know they agony of being upset, a deadly combination.

Result: Wichita State 77 - Notre Dame 72

How Sweet It Is - Reranking the Sweet Sixteen

With the opening weekend of the 2015 NCAA Tournament in the books, the field of contenders for this years tourney are beginning to take shape. Despite upset losses by top seeds Villanova and Virginia in the East region, the selection committee has done quite a good job at seeding. Outside of 11th Seed UCLA, who some could argue are only into the Sweet 16 by virtue of facing 14th seeded UAB, the field of sixteen is filled with top seeds. Even lower seeds Xavier and Wichita State have experienced success in March in recent years, and you can never sell coach Tom Izzo's Spartans short during the NCAA Tournament. But where would do the teams stand now? Here is a reranking of the teams remaining based heavily on their performance in the first weekend, and the potential on their roster.


1. Kentucky 
Overall number one seed Kentucky has lived up to it's billing so far, dispatching both Cincinnati and  Hampton handily. Kentucky has forced teams to work for a full 35 seconds on offense, often even just to get into their half-court set, or take a contested shot. Additionally, their ability to come at teams in waves has allowed them to open games up in the second half. That's before you mention that the Wildcats' best player so far, Willie Cauley-Stein, doesn't even have the highest ceiling on the team. There's a reason that the Wildcat's are at even-money.

 2. Arizona
Arizona was equally impressive in the Tourney's opening weekend, heightening the anticipation for a potential Final Four matchup of Wildcats. After early stumbles against UNLV, Oregon State, and Arizona State, Sean Miller's squad is absolutely rolling. A less than spectacular showing by the Wisconsin Badgers means a Final Four appearance is within reach.

 2a. Duke
Call it a cop-out, but it comes down to a judgement call between the Blue Devils and the tournaments other Wildcats. I only give the nod to Arizona because they are more promising on the defensive end. Freshman phenom, Jahlil Okafor is a man among boys, and quickly solidifying his stock as the potential top pick in the NBA Draft. Duke's offensive has been dominant, but watch out for a Elite Eight matchup with Gonzaga, who has been operating just as well offensively. Duke has struggled this season with teams who can work it on the offensive side of the ball.

4. Gonzaga
The Zags round out the last of the new top seeds in the Sweet 16. Unfortunately, they share Southern bracket with Duke, so a Final Four appearance will be a tall order. Lucky for them, they should able to handle UCLA. Experience should be an advantage for Gonzaga with Junior forward Kyle Wiltjer and senior guards Kevin Pangos and Byron Wesley leading the way.

5. Wisconsin
The Badgers haven't impressed so far, but their regular season results give them the edge over their upcoming opponent. They need to run the offense more effectively through Wooden Award favorite Frank "the Tank" Kaminsky or they'll find themselves watching the Elite Eight from Madison.

6. North Carolina
The Tarheels have looked solid so far, leading to a much anticipated matchup with Wisconsin on Thursday Night. When Marcus Paige and the offense are firing on all cylinders this team is tough to beat. Consider this, besides a tough loss to Pittsburgh, all of UNC's losses this season have come to Tournament teams. They also managed to reach the conference tournament final in a grueling ACC. Look for their length to give Wisconsin problems inside.

  7. Oklahoma
  Oklahoma has lived up to their seeding, and with losses by Villanova and Virginia the East Region is ripe for the taking. Their defensive efficiency and rebounding ability leaves them as a tough opponent going forward, but I see Final Four as the limit for every team left in the East.


8. Wichita State
Wichita State's upset of Kansas should be taken with a grain of salt, as the Jayhawks 2-seed was based more on an inflated view of the Big 12 than actual performance. Still, the Shockers have the experience to make a run. Unfortunately, they'll have to unseat Kentucky to progress further than the Elite Eight. Though not as dominant as last years squad, the upper class-men trio of Ron Baker, Fred VanVleet, and Tekele Cotton will look to make a return trip to the Final Four for the second time in three years.

 9. Utah
 Utah has flown under the radar, despite a stellar regular season and tournament performance so far. Defense is their strong point, and coupled with their offensive-efficiency they could provide some problems for Duke. Still, I would be surprised to see the Utes advance, but anything can happen in March.

10. Michigan State
Tom Izzo will go down as one of the greatest postseason coaches in NCAA history. Led by senior guard Travis Trice and junior guard Denzel Valentine the Spartans will look to re-up on the Final Four appearance that last years seniors missed out on. Execution has been on point, and MSU is two winnable games away from heading relatively close to home, Indianapolis. 

11. Notre Dame
Notre Dame has just not performed on the defensive end. Their offense is as good as any in the tournament, but despite an ACC tournament championship, the Fighting Irish just haven't lived up to their billing to rank them any higher. I still expect them to beat Wichita State, but unless they can fix their defensive lapses, they won't get past Kentucky in the Elite Eight.

12. Louisville
Louisville is a tough team to figure out. When they are on they can beat anyone, but inconsistency has been their biggest enemy. Still, they have a better shot of reaching the Final Four than when the tournament began. If junior forward Montrezl Harrell can handle business inside they'll be a tough team to beat. But, if he finds himself in foul trouble early, they could be just as easily bounced by the NC State Wolfpack.

13. West Virginia
The mountaineers are as aggressive a defensive squad you will see. Bob Huggins has fielded consistently competitive, if unspectacular squads, and has the type of team that could bother Kentucky's young guards. After giving a very talented Maryland backcourt problems, look for them to force several turnovers against Kentucky. However, I don't think they'll be able to force enough to tip the scales in their favor.

14. Xavier
The musketeers are a well rounded bunch. Excellent on the offensive side of the ball, the Musketeers have been a solid middle seed in the tournament during the past decade. Unfortunately, Arizona has too much talent, and is playing too well to be toppled.

15. NC State
The Wolfpack get a raw deal in my rerank. After preventing a three Wildcat Final Four with their upset of Villanova, NC State blew the Eastern Region wide open. They've had quality wins, and bad losses in a tough ACC. Fridays matchup with Louisville is a toss up.

16. UCLA
There's not much to say about the Bruins. Many, myself included, didn't think they belonged in the field of 68, but you can't knock results. Helped tremendously by UAB's first round upset, don't expect to see UCLA still around come Saturday morning.

"I'm Back" - Previewing the NCAA Tournament

"I'm Back." It's quite fitting really. Twenty years to the day that Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA, I'm back. After quite a lengthy hiatus I'm back in the blogoshphere, bringing you my takes on the latest happenings in the wide world of sports. And what better time than now? March Madness is in full swing, and it's time for a preview of this years NCAA Tournament. Here's my article on why UConn could win last years tourney, and did might I add, in case you missed it.

But let's get to this years tournament. Three words. Big Blue Nation. That's it. Kentucky. If you aren't picking Kentucky to win, then you may have lost it. The Tournament's number one overall seed is

Kentucky looks to be only the eighth school to go
undefeated on the way to an NCAA championship

absolutely loaded with talent, height and tournament experience. Let's not forget Kentucky's run to the title game just last year. With the return of key players from last years squad and the addition of freshmen Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles and Tyler Ulis the Wildcats have 8 players that any other school in the nation would gladly throw into their starting rotation. And that's before you even consider that they lead the nation in Defensive Efficiency, while ranking 10th in Offensive Efficiency. The rigors of the Big Dance will pose the Wildcats' largest test of the season, but it's been Championship, nay Perfect Season or bust for Kentucky since November. 

But what can we expect in regards to Madness in this years Tournament? Unlike last year, with no consensus favorite, and tons of parity, this years tournament offers a much starker division in quality of team. Top seeds will win. And they will win big. Beyond Kentucky, each of the top three seeds in each region are capable of winning in March, and the lower seeds don't offer the same potential to make deep runs as last years did. That's not to say upsets won't happen; they will. But I would be shocked to see many teams seeded lower than 4th in their region to make the Elite Eight. And now, the moment you've all been waiting for, this years bracket. Enjoy!