Why 1 seed Purdue Advances:
The top to Purdue’s season final 12 months was nothing wanting tragic. They busted thousands and thousands of brackets by shedding to 16 seeded Fairleigh Dickinson within the first spherical. Although it appeared unfathomable on the time, it may need been a blessing in disguise. The Boilermaker’s common season regarded like a revenge tour and earned them the one seed within the Midwest. This allowed them to keep away from groups like Tennessee, Creighton and Oregon earlier than the Elite 8. Don’t be mistaken, they nonetheless have a troublesome path forward with a Invoice Self led Kansas squad knocking on the door and two of the highest three-point capturing groups within the nation on their heels, however with constant guard play and an ever bettering Goliath in Zach Edey main the best way, a Closing 4 look is an actual risk.
Why 1 seed Purdue Will get Eradicated:
The loss to Fairleigh Dickinson final 12 months is all of the proof you want on the subject of how the Boilermakers might be bounced early from the Massive Dance. There are occasions after they play right down to their opponents potential, and the FDU blueprint confirmed how it may be achieved. They discovered a approach to neutralize Zach Edey, which is loopy, as a result of he nonetheless had 21 factors and 15 rebounds. Purdue shot 19.2% from three and 35.8% from the sector. A mixture of protection and luck can spoil this staff’s season. Deep groups like Tennessee and Creighton loom within the second weekend.
Candy 16 Sleeper:
Gonzaga Bulldogs
25-7 is clearly a down 12 months for the Zags. however they’re probably again within the type of sleeper staff within the Midwest. Is it true that they give the impression of being beatable? Sure. Is it true that that they had a 3-6 file in opposition to Quad 1 opponents? Sure. They nonetheless managed to beat Saint Mary’s by 13 and Kentucky by 4 which doesn’t appear that spectacular but it surely signifies that they possess the aptitude of beating high quality opponents. Coach Mark Few has been right here earlier than and even with a roster that has much less expertise than years prior, they outscored opponents by 15 factors per recreation in the course of the common season. I’m not saying they will get previous Purdue however a Candy Sixteen look isn’t out of the playing cards.
Closing 4 Sleeper:
Creighton Bluejays
The Bluejays averaged the sixth most made threes per recreation within the NCAA and on the finish of the day, getting scorching from deep can take you far in March. However what takes a staff even additional is their expertise and Creighton has loads of it. Combo guard Trey Alexander is the important thing to their success. The rotation consists of a core six guys and 4 of them are seniors. Heart Ryan Kalkbrenner is having an important 12 months and ahead Baylor Scheierman can affect the sport at any second. Kalkbrenner brings an attention-grabbing dynamic to this squad as a result of in the event that they find yourself assembly Zach Edey and Purdue within the Elite 8, he would be the X-factor. Nobody can shut down Edey, however Creighton’s probability depends on his potential to attempt to neutralize him like FDU did final 12 months. Their depth is a bit scary; having lower than eight guys who play constant minutes may be the downfall for any staff. If this veteran squad performs constant protection, stays wholesome and hits threes, they will 100% beat Purdue and make it to the Closing 4.
Prime First Spherical Matchup:
2 Tennessee vs. 15 St. Peters
The aforementioned upset potential the Midwest holds by itself is in contrast to something we’ve seen prior to now couple of years so let’s speak about a few of them. St. Peters versus Tennessee could be probably the most picked upset in all the bracket. Individuals wish to imagine within the Peacocks as a result of two years in the past, that they had one of the crucial unlikely runs in March Insanity historical past. They have been the primary and solely 15 seed to ever attain the Elite 8 and so they did it due to staff chemistry (and Doug Edert’s mustache). However on the subject of selecting a winner on this matchup, you must most likely depart the previous the place it’s. St. Peters is considered one of slowest paced groups within the NCAA which isn’t a horrible factor by itself however Tennessee is comparatively excessive paced. Together with a excessive paced offense, the Volunteers rank high 15 in help to turnover ratio which suggests they transfer quick and put themselves in scoring place. The tempo is what actually issues on the subject of this matchup and it appears to favor the Tennessee Volunteers.
Prime Potential Participant Matchup:
Zach Edey and Hunter Dickinson; Candy 16
Via 31 video games this 12 months, the jayhawk averaged 18 factors and 11 rebounds per recreation on 55% capturing from the sector. This doesn’t actually examine to the 12 months Edey had however on the subject of guys within the Midwest that can provide him a run for his cash, Dickinson is correct up there. If each groups win two video games this match, we’ll be getting an important large man matchup.
Prime Underneath the Radar Matchup
Utah State versus TCU is a type of video games the place it’s just about a decide ’em’, regardless of not being probably the most star-studded. On one facet you may have Coach Danny Sprinkle, who’s in his first 12 months with Utah State, and on the opposite you may have Jamie Dixon, the long-time chief of the Pittsburgh Panthers and somebody who’s helped flip TCU right into a match common (chosen every of the final three seasons). Whereas TCU will get it achieved on each ends of the ground, the perfect participant on this matchup is junior ahead Nice Osobor of Utah State. He averaged 18 factors and 9 rebounds per contest whereas capturing 58% from the sector and blocking 1.5 pictures per recreation. Each aren’t the best three-point capturing groups so general, I’d give the matchup benefit to Utah State. They’ve the perfect participant within the recreation and so they make almost 50% of their area targets as a staff.
Prime 5 NBA Prospects Within the Area
1. Dalton Knecht (Tennessee)
Knecht was within the operating for Nationwide Participant of the 12 months, with a variety of enormous performances to cap off a breakout season. He’s the highest prospect on this bracket, a possible high 3-5 decide in June and seems able to make a March Insanity run. He averages 21 factors per recreation and regardless that he shoots six threes an evening, he connects on 40% of them. His shot type is concise and you may inform he is aware of how one can step up in crunch time.
2. Johnny Furphy (Kansas)
There perks to being a 6’8”, 19-year-old freshman at one of many greatest basketball packages within the nation. The numbers don’t bounce off the web page with Furphy, who’s averaging 9 factors and 5 rebounds per recreation in 24 minutes of play. However what does is the effectivity, the place he shoots 48% from the sector and 35% from three. His potential to play like a guard at his measurement and shield the ball (solely .7 turnovers per recreation) has him projected within the mid to late first spherical.
3. Trey Alexander (Creighton}
The Blue Jays versatile lead guard is the straw that stirs the drink for them. They are going to go so far as he takes them as he’s their most gifted participant however doesn’t all the time play to his capabilities. From an NBA prospect perspective, he’s a easy combo guard that lacks an important first step however reveals wonderful potential along with his potential to facilitate and deal with the ball with wonderful measurement. Including extra power and toughness would be the key.
4. Zach Edey (Purdue)
This man has been talked about extra instances than I can depend on this evaluate so I’ll make it fast. He’s one of the crucial dominant school basketball gamers of the trendy period and he’s 7’4”, 300 lbs. He can’t be moved within the paint and whereas there are apparent defensive limitations along with his potential to protect in area, the potential to be a Boban kind of contributor to a staff may get him some appears to be like within the early second spherical.
5. Baylor Scheierman (Creighton)
He’s 6’7”, has good measurement for a wing and may shoot the lights out. His 87% from the free-throw line provides him intrigue as a shooter. Whereas there are actual velocity considerations, he can perform a little little bit of every thing on the court docket and he’s a man to search for as a late flyer within the second spherical.
