South Bracket:
-The No.1 team in the entire tournament, Kentucky is led by the evident No.1 pick in the NBA Draft, in Shot Blocker and difference maker Anthony Davis. The freshman PF dominated in his first year as a Wildcat, He is the best player in the nation, and will lead the Wildcats to the National Championship Game.
Dark Horse: Virginia Commonwealth University
-VCU did it last year and they could make a nice run this year as well. Shaka Smart is one of the best in the business, and has done a tremendous job coaching up his guys, and executing his game plans at the right time. If Shaka Smart and VCU want to get back to the Final Four, they will have to get past a tough Wichita State team, and possibly Kentucky in the Sweet 16.
X-Factor: Austin Rivers G, Duke
--The X Factor in the South Region is definitely young freshman Austin Rivers. Rivers has been a key to the Blue Devils success this season, but also has been their kryptonite. Coach K is the best at bringing the most out of his players, and has helped Rivers this season. The key for Duke to make it back to the Title game is Austin Rivers play, and if he plays well, not only will Duke cut down the nets, Rivers will be a Top 5 NBA Draft pick.
West Bracket:
Favorite: Michigan State
-The Seminoles led by coach Tom Izzo are always one of the front runners every year in the tournament. Last year was a disappointment however, as they were knocked out in the 1st round. You can bet that won't happen again, and they will be more determined then ever to make the trip to New Orleans.
Dark Horse: Davidson
-This pick may surprise some people, but Davidson is my Cinderella team in the Tourney. The quiet team that takes out opponents quickly and quietly, while drawing the attention of fans. Davidson is not a star studded team, but what Davidson does have going for them as they rank 12th in the Nation in Points Per Game and a team that can also rebound. I think they will make it to the Sweet 16, but the potential is there for them to go even further.
X-Factor: Will Barton G, Memphis
-Will Barton is the type of player that not only can score, but can contribute on the glass and on defense as well. Barton leads the Tigers in Points Per Game (18.1) and Rebounds Per Game (8.1), while also contributing on defense with 1.4 SPG. As the star of the Memphis Tigers, Barton will try and help his team past Saint Louis in the First Round, and try and bring Memphis back to national recognition. Even if they beat Saint Louis, the next round against Michigan State does;t look very bright.
East Bracket:
Favorites: Ohio State
-Despite only being the No.2 Seed, the Buckeyes are the favorites right now to make it to the Final Four in the East Region. Led by PF Jared Sullinger, the Buckeyes are a team that does nothing great but everything well, and it has led them to being one of the favorites in the tournament. They should breeze through Loyola and West Virginia, but could run into problems against Texas. I think they will make it far, but not past the Elite 8.
Dark Horse: Vanderbilt
-The team that surprised everyone in the SEC Tourney to knock off Kentucky, is coming into the Big Dance on a hot streak. Led by John Jenkins and Jeffery Taylor, the Commodores have showed they can beat any team. They shoot the 3 ball well, and have proven they can beat the Elite teams. I expect the hot streak to continue, and carry Vandy into the Final Four.
X-Factor: J'Covan Brown G, Texas
-Texas is another one of those teams that I like to make a big splash in the East. Led by Junior Guard J'Covan Brown (20.1 PPG) the Longhorns are very young, and will be learning as they go along in the tournament. As a young team while they lack experience, they will be hungry to prove themselves, and I think that can carry this team to the Elite 8. How far the Longhorns go however will all depend on the play of Brown, and how he can lead this team as a Junior to New Orleans.
Mid-West Bracket:
-The Tar Heels, led by Player of the Year Candidate Harrison Barnes, come into the tournament looking to bounce back after being knocked off by Florida State in the ACC Tournament. North Carolina led by coach Roy Williams is is impressive of a team as they come. The team ranks 2nd in the Nation in scoring (82 PPG), 1st in Rebounds (45.2 RPG) and 4th in Assists (17.6 APG). UNC is an excellent team and are one of the heavy favorites to win the Title.
Dark Horse: North Carolina State
-Basketball runs deep in the veins of the people in North Carolina, and that is the case as the North Carolina State Wolfpack have proven they aren't afraid of the National Power Houses. They have faced the Tar Heels twice and while both resulted in Losses, they only lost by 2 in the last meeting. The Wolfpack will get their first test when they take on San Diego State. It is a winnable game for North Carolina State, and if they can pull it off the road to the Elite 8 could be made by defeating teams like Georgetown and Kansas.
X-Factor: Harrison Barnes SF, North Carolina
-The star of the Midwest region is also the X-Factor in this scenario as well. Barnes is putting up an impressive 17.4 PPG to go along with 5.2 RPG. If the Tar Heels want to get back to their glory days, the pressure will be on Barnes to get them there. In the past few games Barnes has been struggling a bit with his shot. If Barnes wants to prove he is an elite player, and how high will he go in the NBA Draft. If Barnes can lead North Carolina to the Championship, he is a lock to be the No.2 Pick.
FINAL FOUR:
#2 Missouri Tigers vs. #1 Kentucky Wildcats
-A Final Four clash of two future SEC Opponents puts the Missouri Tigers and Senior Guard Marcus Denmon against Anthony Davis and the No.1 Seeded Kentucky Wildcats. The key for this match up will be the play of Superstar Anthony Davis and if he can stay out of foul trouble. Davis is an unstoppable force when on the court and will do so against Missouri if he can stay on the court. While Missouri will try and force him into early foul trouble, I don't think they will be able to pull it off, and Kentucky will get back to the Championship Game.
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| Davis ability to block shots will be a key factor against the Tigers |
Player of the Game: Anthony Davis 19 Points, 13 Rebounds, 5 Blocks
#5 Vanderbilt Commodores vs. #1 North Carolina Tar Heels
-Another great Final Four match up puts the Vanderbilt Commodores who snuck into the tournament after an SEC Championship against the North Carolina Tar Heels who while they didn't win the ACC Championship, locked up a No.1 Seed in the tournament. The match up everyone will be keeping an eye on is Commodores Senior SF Jeffery Taylor against Tar Heels Sophomore SF Harrison Barnes. Both Barnes and Taylor are similar in height (Taylor 6'7, Barnes 6'8) and it will be a match up a lot of NBA Scouts will be keeping an eye on. What this game comes down to however is coaching, and talent. North Carolina has the advantage in both categories, and they will defeat Vanderbilt because of it. With the Win, the Tar Heels will be back in the Championship Game for the first time since 2009.
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| Barnes ability to shoot the outside shot and drive inside will be on display against Vanderbilt. |
Player of the Game: Harrison Barnes 23 Points, 6 Rebounds, 1 Assist
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
#1 North Carolina Tar Heels vs. #1 Kentucky Wildcats
PG: Kendall Marshall PG: Marquis Teague
SG: Reggie Bullock SG: Doron Lamb
SF: Harrison Barnes SF: Darius Miller
PF: James Michael McAdoo PF: Terrence Jones
C: Tyler Zeller C: Anthony Davis
-This battle of No.1 Seeds will go down as one of the best Championship Games of All Time. The top two picks in the upcoming NBA Draft (Barnes and Davis) matched up for the one thing every college basketball player wants, a ring. On one side you have the Tar Heels, headlined by Barnes and big man Tyler Zeller along with Guard Kendall Marshall. They will match up against Davis and PF Terrence Jones, along with PG Marquis Teague. Both teams are balanced throughout their line up, and neither side lacks star power. Not only does this game match up some of the best players in the game, it also features some of the best coaches in the game in Roy Williams of North Carolina, and John Calipari of Kentucky. Both coaches are not only excellent recruiters, they also excel at managing during the games to make sure they always have the best 5 on the court. What this game comes down to for me is Scoring, and I think that is where North Carolina has the edge. One thing is for sure, this will be a great game to watch, and some of the future stars of the NBA will be on display.
Player of the Game: Harrison Barnes 27 Points, 5 Rebounds, 1 Steal
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