Many may find it hard to believe, but March is almost here! Any better, whether new or experienced, knows that anything can happen in March Madness, so it is important to know what you are doing to come out on top.
Below is a sample March Madness bracket, which you might find on BetUS, along with three predictions.
Table of Contents
Bracket Prediction By Region
West Region
#1 Gonzaga vs #16 UNC Wilmington
#8 Colorado State vs #9 Davidson
#5 Alabama vs #12 San Francisco
#4 Ohio State vs #13 Chattanooga
#6 LSU vs #11 South Dakota State
#3 Texas Tech vs #14 Montana State
#7 Marquette vs #10 Murray State
#2 Duke vs #15 Yale
Midwest Region
#1 Kansas vs #16 Cleveland State
#8 St. Mary’s vs #9 Loyola (IL)
#5 Michigan State vs #12 Davidson
#4 Villanova vs #13 Toledo
#6 Xavier vs #11 SMU
#3 UCLA vs #14 Seattle
#7 Iowa vs #10 Wake Forest
#2 Kentucky vs #15 Long Beach State
East Region
#1 Auburn vs #16 Long Beach State
#8 Seton Hall vs #9 Indiana
#5 Texas vs #12 North Texas
#4 Houston vs #12 Vermont
#6 Arkansas vs #11 Oklahoma
#3 Providence vs #14 Liberty
#7 Wyoming vs #10 Miami
#2 Purdue vs #15 Colgate
South Region
#1 Arizona vs #16 UNC Wilmington
#8 Boise State vs #9 TCU
#5 Ohio State vs #12 Creighton
#4 Tennessee vs #13 Iona
#6 UConn vs #11 Michigan
#3 Illinois vs #14 Wagner
#7 USC vs #10 North Carolina
#2 Baylor vs #15 Texas State
Prediction 1: A Big Ten Team Will Play in the Championship Game
The Big Ten is widely recognized as one of, if not the best, conference in college basketball and BetUS betting odds reflect that. They generally send many teams to the tournament, but it has been a while since one has won the championship game (Michigan State, 2000, though Maryland won in 2002 while in the ACC). However, there is so much talent in the Big Ten this year, that I think someone from that conference will be in the championship game this year.
While there are six or seven dangerous teams, there are three main contenders from the Big Ten: Purdue, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Purdue’s attack starts in the paint with big men Zach Edey and Trevion Williams. Not many, if any, teams can match up well against those two.
On top of the paint presence, there is also a future NBA lottery pick, guard Jaden Ivey. Illinois plays stellar defense, relying heavily on big man Kofi Cockburn and three-point shooting from a variety of guards.
Prediction 2: A #1 Seed Will Go Down Early
No, I am not predicting another UMBC-over-Virginia situation. However, it is entirely possible to see another Loyola-over-Illinois situation from last year. The question is: Who will be the victim this year? Well, this is probably most likely to happen in the Midwest Region.
Now, this is not a slight against Kansas, as they are a great team. This has more to do with the stiff competition that they could potentially face in the second round. It could be none other than the same Loyola Chicago who beat Illinois in the second round last year. Loyola is still a very tough team and Kansas has a history of letting teams get too close in the tournament.
Prediction 3: A Mid-Major Will Make a Historic Run
Every year, there is a team that surprises everyone with an incredible run. Last year, it was #15, Oral Roberts, even though they only won two games. This year, it could be them, should they sneak out of the Summit League tournament.
However, it would more likely be their conference rival, South Dakota State. SDSU has never won an NCAA tournament game, but they have also arguably never been this good, even earning votes for the AP Top 25. The Jackrabbits shoot 45% from three, by far the best in the NCAA. If they come out shooting the ball the way they are capable of, that will open things up for Douglas Wilson in the paint (And could open up some wins for SD State).