Why 1 Seed North Carolina Advances:
The have most likely essentially the most skilled massive recreation participant on this match in Armando Bacot, and pack a wallop on offense. They’re additionally among the best rebounding groups within the nation which is large in March Insanity. I believe 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 essentially the most underrated and undervalued when it comes to odds. Regardless of the loss to NC State, UNC may discover themselves within the closing 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 score your entire 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 seeking 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 faculty basketball. This can be a group that I imagine will both run to the ultimate 4 or lose within the first spherical, no in between. North carolina is a deserving primary, however may run into bother with groups resembling Arizona or Baylor within the second weekend.
Prime 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 selecting up a couple of large wins alongside the best way. Total, they’ve regarded higher than an 11 seed for a lot of the season, particularly the final half, selecting up massive wins in opposition to 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 loads of flaws of their recreation. 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 critical contender for an upset. They’re on an NC State kind on run proper now and I believe lots of people are underestimating them just because they drew an excellent Clemson group in spherical one. Clemson is one among few groups to enter Raleigh and decide up a win in opposition to UNC. These are two high 45 BPI groups, and it must be a fantastic recreation. My closing prediction is New Mexico profitable by 5 in a decent recreation.
Beneath the Radar Match up:
10 Nevada vs. 7 Dayton 3/21 4:30 PM ET
7 seed Dayton is an efficient faculty basketball group and their greatest participant, DaRon Holmes, is without doubt one of the high gamers within the nation. Dayton had a very good season however they’ve picked up zero high 25 wins and misplaced video games to loads of different groups on this match. In the meantime, Nevada rolls into this recreation, criminally underseeded with a 3-1 document in opposition to high 25 groups this season. In my view, compounding Nevada’s play this season with Dayton’s loss to Duquesne within the A10 championship recreation 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 usually experience that participant to some wins. Regardless, Nevada seems formidable.
Closing 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 they usually’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 a couple of years, however Baylor’s playstyle is grinding. Baylor has the expertise and training to get by to Phoenix, and a sleeper to keep watch over.
Prime 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 clean athlete with respectable size and intriguing potential if he provides toughness.
2. PJ Corridor, Clemson
Corridor shoots 32% from deep, averages 18 factors a recreation, a 7-foot-plus wingspan. There’s loads of instruments right here and quite a bit to love. He may simply slot in on an NBA group and be an instantaneous impression for a group in want of spacing. Second spherical to the Spurs possibly?
3. {Participant:Yves Missi], Baylor
Missi had a powerful season displaying his nice motor and talent to impression the sport on each ends of the ground. Whereas he lacks fluidity and should at greatest be a again up on the subsequent degree, there’s some intrigue associated to his excessive motor and talent to impression video games in faculty. He’s nonetheless thought-about a possible second rounder, however in such a weak draft, maybe a robust match efficiency may get him some first spherical consideration.
4.. DaRon Holmes, Dayton
Holmes is a stable shooter with shot-blocking capacity, is springy across the rim.l. He’s a very good rebounder and Dayton’s offense runs by him for a purpose. Whereas not essentially 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 undertaking 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 could have an opportunity to listen to his title referred to as on draft evening with a giant efficiency within the NCAA tourney.
