NCAA South Region Analysis and Predictions

OVERVIEW OF THE TOP OF THE BRACKET:

WHO IS SEEDED TOO HIGH?

None

WHO IS SEEDED TOO LOW?

#5 Houston: This is a final four team from a year ago and they have won 29 games this year. Five seems a little low to me. I will tell you this; no one wants to play them.

#12 UAB: The Blazers went 27-7 and won a difficult conference tournament. They are underrated and capable of an upset. I guarantee you they have Kelvin Sampson’s and the Cougars attention.

FAVORITES TO REACH THE SWEET SIXTEEN

#1 Arizona: The Wildcats have 31 wins and they are a lot of people’s national champion pick. And, for that distinction, the committee has put them in arguably the toughest region. They get the winner of Bryant-Wright St. in the first round and then face a tricky 2nd round game against either Seton Hall or TCU. Both of those teams are tough, physical, well-coached teams and will be a challenge.

#4 Illinois: The Illini won the regular season Big Ten title but are vulnerable. Still, they have a good team that is tested playing in a tough league.

#5 Houston: As mentioned before, this is a team no one want to play.

BEST CHANCE FOR A LOWER SEED TO CRASH INTO THE SWEET SIXTEEN

UAB: If the Blazers cam get through Houston, I would give them a decent chance against Illinois if they get by Chattanooga

Chattanooga: The same can be said about the Mocs. If they can beat Illinois, they could win a second round game as well.

WHO MAKES IT TO THE REGIONAL FINALS?

Arizona: I just think the Wildcats are too good for anyone in the top of the bracket.

OVERVIEW OF THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE BRACKET

WHO IS SEEDED TOO HIGH?

#6 Colorado State: I have nothing against Colorado State but this is the spot that Boise State should be in. The Rams should have been an 8 and Boise State a 6.

#7 Ohio State: The Buckeyes are seeded here, not for what they did, but because of who they are. They went 19-11 in the regular season and failed to win a game in the conference losing their first round game to a poor Penn State team. They should be a 10.

#11 Michigan: THEY SHOULDN’T EVEN BE IN THE DAMN TOURNAMENT!! And not only that, they are in a spot where they could beat Colorado State and advance to the next round. ABSOLUTELY LUDICROUS!!

FAVORITES TO REACH THE SWEET SIXTEEN

#2 Villanova: This is another tradition-rich school with plenty of great tournament wins over the years. They won the Big East Conference tournament and proved they are a tough group as always. They could have easily been a #1 seed. They should win their first round game but could have a real struggle against Loyola Chicago.

#3 Tennessee: The Vols are playing as well as anyone in the country. They won 12 of their last 13 games including wins over #2-seed Auburn, #2-seed Kentucky (twice), and #4-seed Arkansas. They have the capability of completely shutting opponents down and are a handful for anyone. I don’t see them having much trouble getting to the final 16.

BEST CHANCE FOR A LOWER SEED TO CRASH THE SWEET SIXTEEN

#10 Loyola Chicago: The Ramblers won the Missouri Valley tournament and have a 25-7 record. They have made deep runs in the tournament in recent years so they won’t be intimidated. I think they will beat Ohio State but beating Villanova won’t be easy.

WHO MAKES IT TO THE REGIONAL FINALS?

This will be a coin flip for me between Tennessee and Villanova. This is a Final Four quality game and these two teams should never have been put in the same bracket. One great team is going down. I’ll pick Villanova simply because they have been there many times before.