Why 1 Seed North Carolina Advances:
The have most likely probably the most skilled large sport participant on this event in Armando Bacot, and pack a wallop on offense. They’re additionally probably the greatest rebounding groups within the nation which is big in March Insanity. I feel DJ Wagner has an enormous first 3 rounds in a means akin to what Jordan Hawkins did for UConn final yr. He’s the well timed shot man that each group wants, and out of all 1 seeds UNC is probably the most underrated and undervalued by way of odds. Regardless of the loss to NC State, UNC might discover themselves within the ultimate 4 for the second time in 3 years.
Why 1 Seed North Carolina Loses:
The one matchup that may bode tough could be a spherical of 32 matchup with Michigan State. They play at a excessive tempo and have maintained a optimistic web ranking all the yr, Thoughts you that in the event that they made the ultimate 4 they’d find yourself taking part in (most likely UConn) in Arizona. Additionally, this Arizona group is trying to avenge their 2-15 seed loss final season. Caleb Love has the revenge issue and has emerged as one of many higher gamers in school basketball. It is a group that I consider will both run to the ultimate 4 or lose within the first spherical, no in between. North Carolina is a deserving primary, however might run into hassle with groups resembling Arizona or Baylor within the second weekend.
High match Up
11 New Mexico vs. 6 Clemson, 3/22 6:10 PM ET
New Mexico completed their season on a 4-game win streak and gained their convention, whereas choosing up just a few big wins alongside the way in which. Total, they’ve seemed higher than an 11 seed for many of the season, particularly the final half, choosing up large wins towards Colorado State and San Diego State in path to the Mountain West title. Led by Jaelen Home and NBA child Jamal Mashburn Junior, they’ve bought some excessive octane scoring and play a stable model of basketball with out a variety of flaws of their sport. Preserving in thoughts that the final time (and solely time since 1985) each 6 seed gained within the first spherical, I see New Mexico as a severe contender for an upset. They’re on an NC State kind on run proper now and I feel lots of people are underestimating them just because they drew an excellent Clemson group in spherical one. Clemson is certainly one of few groups to enter Raleigh and choose up a win towards UNC. These are two high 45 BPI groups, and it needs to be an amazing sport. My ultimate prediction is New Mexico profitable by 5 in a decent sport.
Beneath the Radar Match up:
10 Nevada vs. 7 Dayton 3/21 4:30 PM ET
7 seed Dayton is an efficient school basketball group and their greatest participant, DaRon Holmes, is without doubt one of the high gamers within the nation. Dayton had a superb season however they’ve picked up zero high 25 wins and misplaced video games to a variety of different groups on this event. In the meantime, Nevada rolls into this sport, criminally underseeded with a 3-1 document towards high 25 groups this season. In my view, compounding Nevada’s play this season with Dayton’s loss to Duquesne within the A10 championship sport and there’s a recipe for a surefire upset. Nevertheless, to play satan’s advocate, March is the place true stars shine the brightest and groups with one NBA caliber man can typically journey that participant to some wins. Regardless, Nevada appears to be like formidable.
Last 4 Sleeper:
Baylor Bears
The west is a loaded bracket. Simply three years in the past Baylor gained the nationwide championship, a yr later UNC performed within the nationwide championship, and Arizona has been a high seed many instances. Baylor hasn’t gotten sufficient due. Only one.2% of ESPN TC brackets have picked the Bears to win all of it and so they’re the bottom picked group out of all 12 top-3 seeds. That is most likely as a result of that is Scott Drew’s least gifted group in just a few years, however Baylor’s playstyle is grinding. Baylor has the expertise and training to get via to Phoenix, and a sleeper to control.
High 5 Prospects within the Area:
1. Ja’Kobe Walter Baylor
Walter is the area’s high long run prospect. Only a freshman, he led the Bears in scoring at 14.2 ppg with capturing spolies of 37.3 ppg, 81.5 ft, 34.0 from three. Walter lacks nice measurement and energy, however is a easy athlete with respectable size and intriguing potential if he provides toughness.
2. PJ Corridor, Clemson
Corridor shoots 32% from deep, averages 18 factors a sport, a 7-foot-plus wingspan. There’s a variety of instruments right here and lots to love. He might simply slot in on an NBA group and be a right away influence for a group in want of spacing. Second spherical to the Spurs perhaps?
3. Yves Missi, Baylor
Missi had a powerful season displaying his nice motor and talent to influence the sport on each ends of the ground. Whereas he lacks fluidity and will at greatest be a again up on the subsequent degree, there may be some intrigue associated to his excessive motor and talent to influence video games in school. He’s nonetheless thought-about a possible second rounder, however in such a weak draft, maybe a robust event efficiency might get him some first spherical consideration.
4.. DaRon Holmes, Dayton
Holmes is a stable shooter with shot-blocking potential, is springy across the rim. He’s a superb rebounder and Dayton’s offense runs via him for a cause. Whereas not probably the most fluid of athletes and one of many older prospects, he has contact that makes him intriguing for a put up man.
5. Jalen Bridges, Baylor
Bridges is a mission however has a pleasant mixture of measurement and size as a wing and confirmed some enchancment as a shooter in his profession. A senior, Bridges may have an opportunity to listen to his title known as on draft evening with an enormous efficiency within the NCAA tourney.
