East Region
So much for being the #1 overall seed. Ohio State’s reward for the honor? Try the bracket most littered with landmines as they attempt to tackle the toughest region in this year’s tournament.
North Carolina, Syracuse, and Kentucky all enter the tournament playing their best basketball of the season, all boast rosters with NBA talent, and all have the size, quickness, scoring and athleticism needed to make a Final Four run. Compare those three to the Southeast: Florida (who got hammered by Kentucky in the SEC Final), BYU (whose second best player is suspended and just got hammered by San Diego State in the MWC Final), and Wisconsin who scored THIRTY THREE points in their last game.
Not sure what the committee was thinking with those two brackets. It certainly leaves a lot of room for conjecture and debate.
What can’t be debated is the depth of talent in the East. West Virginia is an interesting #5 seed. They were not spectacular most of the season, and their roster certainly doesn’t leap off the page, but they do own wins over Vanderbilt, Purdue, Georgetown, Louisville, UConn and Notre Dame.
George Mason could very well be “this year’s George Mason.” The Patriots are much better overall than the team that made the miracle run back in 2006. Throw in Xavier, Princeton, Marquette and Washington and you are looking at one ridiculous bracket.
Ten Best Players in the East Region:
Jared Sullinger (Ohio State), Isaiah Thomas (Washington), Harrison Barnes (UNC), Kris Joseph (Syracuse), Tu Holloway (Xavier), Terrance Jones (Kentucky), David Lighty (Ohio State), Tyler Zeller (UNC), William Buford (Ohio State)
First Round Matchups:
#1 Ohio State vs. #16 UT San Antonio/Alabama St.
Next.
#8 George Mason v. #9 Villanova
Villanova is in an absolute free-fall, losers of 11 of their final 16, including a first-round Big East Tourney loss to lowly South Florida. George Mason would be my tournament darling if not for an unfortunate draw opposite Ohio State. I love the Patriots getting the win over ‘Nova.
#5 West Virginia v. #12 UAB/Clemson
I’m honestly stunned UAB is in the field. Alabama, Virginia Tech, St. Mary’s and Colorado would all have been more worthy selections. Clemson apparently got just enough late, making it to the Final Four in the ACC Tourney, losing in OT to North Carolina. I think they used up the remaining gas in their tank – I like UAB advancing, only to get sent home by the Mountaineers.
#4 Kentucky v. #13 Princeton
This will be another popular upset pick – don’t fall for it. Remember what happened when the smart, scrappy, underrated Ivy League team (Cornell) met the Wildcats last year? Yeah, it wasn’t pretty. Neither will this one. Wildcats big.
#6 Xavier v #11 Marquette
Xavier always out-performs their seed in the NCAA Tourney. Marquette is a tough opening draw, but I think Tu Holloway can pace the X-Men to yet another NCAA Tournament win.
#3 Syracuse v. #14 Indiana State
The Sycamores did a great job knocking off Wichita State and Missouri State en route to the surprising Missouri Valley championship. However, both of those teams would have given Syracuse a much more entertaining game. Indiana State has no clue about the length and quickness of the match-up zone that is about to be unleashed on them. Besides, Larry Bird is out of eligibility.
#7 Washington v. #10 Georgia
The rumblings over Georgia’s inclusion and overly-high seed will get louder after Washington and Isaiah Thomas run them right off the floor. It’s honestly hard to justify how the 8-8 Bulldogs got in over the 12-4 Alabama Crimson Tide, who beat Georgia twice, including a blowout win in the SEC Quarters… Gimme Washington 80-something to Georgia’s low 70’s output.
#2 North Carolina v. #15 Long Island
Long Island is a nice story, but the fairy tale ends quickly against the tremendous size and athleticism of the Tar Heels
Moving Through the Region:
Ohio State will cruise to the Sweet Sixteen, though George Mason will make them earn it. I like Kentucky avenging last year’s Elite Eight loss to West Virginia, setting up a nice Kentucky-Ohio State rivalry game in the Sweet Sixteen. In the bottom half, give me Xavier upsetting Syracuse, and North Carolina narrowly dodging Washington in one of the Tourney’s most exhilarating games.
In the Elite 8, Ohio State v. Kentucky will be another classic, but I like Ohio State’s poise and superior perimeter shooting ousting the Wildcats. Xavier’s run ends at the hands of the ultra-talented Tar Heels, setting up a brilliant regional final.
Ohio State is the best team in the country, in my opinion, and is a tough matchup for the Heels. Both teams feature outstanding freshman point guards, and it will be a blast to watch Craft and Marshall square off. Sullinger against the UNC bigs will be spectacular as well. In the end, I think the defensive brilliance of David Lighty will fluster UNC frosh sensation Harrison Barnes, and that the Heels will lose track of Diebler in transition a few too many times to advance. SOUTHEAST CHAMP: OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
UPSET PICKS:
Xavier, with Washington being a dangerous sleeper
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