2019 Bracket Analysis: Midwest Region

Coby White & Roy Williams, UNC

Even though they were unable to take down Duke in the ACC Tournament to complete the season sweep, UNC locked down the top seed in the Midwest Region, becoming the third ACC squad to do so. They are in a region with a strong second seed, and some potential hazards, but the Tar Heels certainly have the looks of a team that can go deep. The backcourt is headlined by two talented guards in freshman Coby White and sharpshooting Cameron Johnson (47% from three). Those two seem to play their best basketball in the biggest games, particularly White, who has been terrific down the stretch. The same can be said about veteran Luke Maye, a former walk-on who has established himself as one of the best forwards in the country. The Tar Heels are also a pretty deep team, which will be critical in a region that is sure to see some tough, physical basketball. Outside of a loss to Virginia, North Carolina has not lost in the regular season since an early conference battle with Louisville. Since that game they've come out with an energy and bounce that we just didn't see in the non-conference portion of the season. Can they keep it up over the next six games and make their third National Championship appearance in four years? They certainly don't have an easy path there, with a really tough 8-9 matchup early on in the second round. If they continue their hot shooting, its tough to imagine any team slowing them down over the course of forty minutes. The only real concern for me is the lack of much true post scorers. It might not be much of an issue if White and Johnson play well, but beyond Maye, the Tar Heels really don't do a good job of getting easy points down low. It won't be an issue against, say Iona, but could be something interesting to watch down the stretch.

Squaring off against New Mexico State, a team that has established a home in the NCAA Tournament, is not an ideal bid for Auburn. With that being said, the Tigers look like they have the tools to continue their momentum from an SEC Tournament Title run. Head coach Bruce Pearl has ample experience in March, and he is equipped with a dynamic, balanced roster. Much like UNC, this Auburn squad is led by a high-flying backcourt, with the leader being Jared Harper. The junior guard has been important all season long, but his took his game to the next level in the SEC Tournament, making important passes and locking down defensively. He is aided by combo guard Bryce Brown, who is the team's go-to scorer and can really stroke it when he's on. While those two will be important in scoring hoops, Auburn is really at their best when they are playing well on defense. They were flying all over the court in the SEC Tournament and played stifling defense, including holding a strong Tennessee team to just 64 points in the Championship. If they want to continue their recent run, they'll have to do much the same. New Mexico State will attempt to do the same, touting a defense that allows just 64 PPG (26th nationally). The good news is that if Auburn wins that, they have a shot at meeting Kansas, a team with an incredibly streaky offense.

If you are looking for a Cinderella pick in this side of the bracket, both New Mexico State and Northeastern look like pretty good picks. Yet, maybe the most intriguing possible upset could be the 3-14 action between Houston and Georgia State. In case you forget, the last time the Panthers were a 14 seed, they pulled a miraculous upset of Baylor that saw a terrific buzzer beater by R.J. Hunter. Can they do it again in 2019? Georgia State has shown they can beat quality teams, taking down SEC foes Alabama and Georgia earlier on the year, and also pushing Kansas State. They also offer a distinct advantage over Houston: their length. Houston's top three scorers all average a height of 6'2", while GSU counters with a lineup with a ton of size and length top to bottom. This could be crucial in attacking in the paint, and working on the boards, an important element of any upset. Georgia State also has proven they can shot the three very effectively all season long, which they'll need to counter an explosive Houston offense. The Cougars are not an easy matchup for anybody, who have gone 31-3 on the season. Yet, this Panthers team matches up very well with them, and somebody in this region is sure to cause some damage.

Kentucky opened the 2018-2019 season in an extremely disappointing manner, losing by 34 to Zion Williamson and Duke. However, the Wildcats have responded admirably, going 27-5 the rest of the way and locking in a two seed in the Midwest. Wins over UNC, Tennessee and Kansas have showcased what this team can do when they're playing well. They have a really impressive roster construction that legitimately has all the tools to win it all. They have shooting, with Tyler Herro, size with P.J. Washington and Nick Richards as well as athleticism top to bottom. Kentucky also has something they've severely lacked on past John Calipari-coached teams: experience. Reid Travis is a fifth-year senior who has spent his entire career at Stanford and is eager to finish his collegiate carer with a bang. Washington and Richards have also seen NCAA Tournament experience and should have a motivation factor after losing in the Sweet 16 a year ago. Also working in Kentucky's favor is the fact they match up well with most of the teams in the bottom-half of the region. The only team that could give them serious trouble, beyond probably Houston? Seton Hall, who just happened to beat Kentucky earlier in the year. But, that was at Madison Square Garden, the Pirates' backyard and where they've played plenty of Big East Tournament games. Even in a difficult region with a very quality No. 1 seed, I like this Kentucky team a lot. Calipari has proven himself a number of times in March, but is still searching for that elusive second National Title. With this balanced, well-rounded and motivated Wildcats squad, I see Cal bringing his first National Title back to Lexington since the Anthony Davis days in 2012.

Picking the Midwest

Round One
1 North Carolina over 16 Iona ... After starting the year 7-15, Iona has won ten straight to get to the Big Dance. That nice win streak will end right here in Columbus.

8 Utah State over 9 Washington ... Beating UW's 2-3 zone won't be a breeze, but Utah State's quality defense and offensive rebounding ability gets them the win.

5 Auburn over 12 New Mexico State ... NMSU is a good challenge, but they don't have the backcourt to keep up with Harper and Brown.

13 Northeastern over 4 Kansas ... The Colonial Athletic Association has produced its fair share of Cinderella stories, and a quality Northeastern team could be next over the short-handed Jayhawks.

6 Iowa State over 11 Ohio State ... Cyclones just have too much offensively for the Buckeyes, who have struggled down the stretch in 2019.

3 Houston over 14 Georgia State ... Don't rule out the Georgia State upset, but National Coach of the Year candidate Kelvin Sampson helps Houston secure victory.

10 Seton Hall over 7 Wofford ... Wofford is a popular dark horse option, but they have struggled against quality opponents and Seton Hall is a well-rounded squad.

2 Kentucky over 15 Abilene Christian ... The Wildcats will not have any troubles with Abilene Christian, perhaps the weakest 15 seed in the field.

Round Two
1 UNC over 8 Utah State ... The Mountain West Tournament Champs just don't have the scoring to hang with Coby White and the Heels.

5 Auburn over 13 Northeastern ... No Cinderella run for Northeastern, as the flaming hot Tigers keep on rolling.

6 Iowa State over 3 Houston ... If Marial Shayok and this Iowa State offense get hot from downtown, they're going to be extremely tough to take down.

2 Kentucky over 10 Seton Hall ... The Wildcats are able to get revenge here, due to improved post play and a much better defense.

Sweet 16
1 UNC over 5 Auburn ... Should be a competitive, high-scoring affair between these two. UNC's superior depth helps them move on to the Elite Eight.

2 Kentucky over 6 Iowa State ... Cyclones will not be an easy out, but they don't have the versatility and balance of this Kentucky team.

Elite Eight
2 Kentucky over 1 UNC ... Kentucky gets vengeance for the 2017 Elite Eight, when they lost on a buzzer beater by Luke Maye. Their defense is able to contain White and Maye, while Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro lead the charge on the other end.

Midwest Region Champion: 2 Kentucky Wildcats 

2019 Bracket Analysis: South Region

Kyle Guy, Virginia

After making history as the first ever No. 1 seed to lose to a 16, Virginia enters this 2019 NCAA Tournament eager to prove themselves. They were once again awarded a top seed after going 29-3 overall, with a 16-2 mark in the ACC. The Cavaliers have an extremely similar core as last year's group, but are blessed with a healthy De'Andre Hunter this time around. Hunter was the Sixth Man of the Year in the ACC a season ago but went down with a broken wrist just days before the opener against UMBC. A skilled, well-built wing, Hunter has been crucial to this offense all year long and will be leaned on heavily during this Tournament. Guards Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome have been the stars all year long, with both of them hitting from deep at impressive rates (Guy is at 46%, Jerome 40%). Yet, they've also been known to be streaky, which could be a concern going forward. Virginia will also showcase their patented "pack-line" defense, which has been Tony Bennett's signature during his time in Charlottesville. That defense has been so stingy and versatile all season, allowing just 55 PPG, tops in the entire D1. Top to bottom, this Cavaliers team is pretty identical to last year's group, but I think the end result will be different. Judging this team on one game from last season when they're in a different situation in 2019 would be foolish. This team has enough talent, and Bennett is a good enough coach, they have the tools to finally make a long awaited run this March.

A late Pac-12 Tournament Title run by Oregon helped them sneak into the field as a 12 seed, poised as a potential bracket-buster. Many assumed the Ducks season might be over when star freshman Bol Bol went down with a season-ending foot injury, but they've been able to survive behind a strong defense and good-shooting backcourt. Veteran guard Payton Pritchard is really what makes this team go, a skilled passer who can also lock down at the other end of the court. He had three superb showings in their conference title run, and will have to play well if Oregon is going to continue their hot streak. Freshman Louis King and senior Paul White are two other crucial components of this lineup. King is the youthful, explosive scorer while White is a former Georgetown transfer who is the type of steady, intelligent playmaker any coach loves to have on their team. Will that trio do enough to take down fifth-seeded Wisconsin, who they open up with? The Badgers may have star forward Ethan Happ, but they lack a ton of scoring punch beyond him, and Happ is notorious for his struggles on the free throw line. Oregon can certainly pull a first round upset if they force Happ, who had a bad Big Ten semifinals showing against Michigan State, into mistakes and continue to shoot the way they have down the stretch. It could set up an interesting battle with the winner of Kansas State-UC Irvine, two teams both playing some great basketball as well.

Villanova may have won two National Titles in three seasons, but don't expect the same from the Wildcats this year. Settling in as the sixth seed in the South Region, Villanova could still be a potential dangerous squad, but I think they could also be primed for a first round upset. Their first matchup will be the St. Mary's Gaels, who shocked Gonzaga to win the West Coast Conference Tournament. This is not the best St. Mary's team, but it still looks like it has the tools to win a game or two in the Big Dance. The Gaels always have a combo guard that can fill it up, with junior Jordan Ford being the latest in the long line. Ford is averaging 21.3 PPG and has the looks of the type of scorer that can really lead a team in this Tournament. Yet, the real key for this St. Mary's team will be how they play defense and how they rebound. They're a strong defensive team that rotates extremely well and doesn't give up anything easy. They also rebound the ball well; their ability to crash the offensive glass was instrumental in the upset of Gonzaga. Villanova is an extremely beatable team if you play strong defense and contain them in transition. They're also not a very good sized team, which bodes well for the Gaels on the boards. Will this St. Mary's team be able to replicate 2010, when they came very close to an Elite Eight berth? Probably not, but this is yet another higher-seed that could cause some chaos in the South.

There might not be a team I like more in the bottom-half of this region than the Cincinnati Bearcats, who are locked in as the seventh seed. Mick Cronin-coached teams tend to play a similar way: physical on both ends, relying on their strong defense and making their presence felt on the glass. This particular Cincinnati team is no exception, although they offer a little bit more scoring punch than some of Cronin's past teams. Guard Jarron Cumberland is criminally underrated; he has improved every single year in Cincy, and is a versatile playmaker coming off an AAC Title showing where he dropped 33 points. He is the face of this team, but fellow backcourt mates Cane Broome and Keith Williams are just as important, both lockdown defenders that can help this team in more ways than scoring. Another reason to like the Bearcats? They get a very favorable matchup in Round 1, and most likely beyond. Their first meeting will be Iowa, a team that has been struggling as of late and has been very streaky offensively all season. Will they be able to score against such a physical and quality Bearcats' defense? If they're able to down the Hawkeyes, a most likely meeting with the two seed, Tennessee, awaits. The Volunteers are without a doubt a strong team, but they don't shoot much three-pointers, and Cincinnati knows how to lock down the paint. I'm buying into this Cincinnati team, and think they have a very good shot at moving through the bottom-half of this region.

Picking the South

Round One
1 Virginia over 16 Gardner-Webb ... No monumental 1-16 upset this time around. A healthy De'Andre Hunter makes all the difference for the Cavaliers.

9 Oklahoma over 8 Ole Miss ... The Rebels may have an explosive scoring backcourt, but the Sooners' tough defense carries them to the second round.

5 Wisconsin over 12 Oregon ... Tough first round matchup for Wisconsin, but not positive the Ducks have a big man that can stop Ethan Happ.

4 Kansas State over 13 UC Irvine ... Can K-State return to the Elite Eight in 2019? They'll need a healthy Dean Wade, who is questionable for the opening round.

11 St. Mary's over 6 Villanova ... No March run for Villanova this year, as the Gaels and Jordan Ford take down the defending champs.

3 Purdue over 14 Old Dominion ... Purdue needs Carsen Edwards to play smarter down the stretch, along with a productive Tournament from center Matt Haarms.

7 Cincinnati over 10 Iowa ... Can Hawkeyes turn it around at the most important point of their season? Not if Cincinnati plays the way they did in achieving the AAC Title.

2 Tennessee over 15 Colgate ... Don't overlook the Patriot League Champion Colgate, but Volunteers find a way to get it done.

Round Two
1 Virginia over 9 Oklahoma ... Oklahoma will be able to compete, but they just don't have the offense to take down the pack-line defense.

4 Kansas State over 5 Wisconsin ... I really like both of these teams, but Kansas State has more offensive versatility and balance than the Badgers.

3 Purdue over 11 St. Mary's ... Should be a back-and-forth game, but Purdue's superior depth gives them the edge in this one.

7 Cincinnati over 2 Tennessee ... Tennessee will struggle to shoot from downtown, and Bearcats are stingy enough in the post to slow down Grant Williams.

Sweet 16
1 Virginia over 4 Kansas State ... Possible upset alert here, but until Wade is proven 100 percent, I'll stick with the top seed in the region.

3 Purdue over 7 Cincinnati ... Does Purdue have the shooting to overcome the Bearcats? Edwards and sharpshooter Ryan Cline must get the job done to move on.

Elite Eight
1 Virginia over 3 Purdue ... The Cavaliers returning to the Final Four after what happened a year ago? This is a better team in a better situation, and Tony Bennett deserves a Final Four for what he has done in Charlottesville.

South Region Champion: 1 Virginia Cavaliers

2019 Bracket Analysis: West Region

Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga

Despite a surprising loss to St. Mary's in the West Coast Conference Championship, Gonzaga earned the No. 1 seed in the West Region, playing their first action in Salt Lake City. That recent loss showcased some of the weaknesses on this Gonzaga team, such as three-point shooting and rebounding, but don't count out this Bulldogs team just yet. This team did win 30 games and go undefeated in the regular season of the WCC for a reason; they're deep and talented with veteran leadership at its core. Forwards Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke are an extremely effective 1-2 punch in the frontcourt. Hachimura is just the fifth Japanese-born player to compete in Division I basketball, and he has displayed a wide and versatile skill set. He can get to the rim, hit in the mid range and even stretch the floor with from three, hitting 47 percent from deep even though he doesn't shoot a ton of them. Yet, the most important component to any deep NCAA Tournament run is going to have to center around the backcourt. Veteran point guard Josh Perkins and shooting guard Zach Norvell Jr. will have to play well in this difficult region. Both have proven they can hit big shots, but have struggled in all of Gonzaga's losses, and can be streaky. Yet, if they are on their games, this offense has enough balance and versatility, they're going to be incredibly hard to stop. We've seen just how good the Bulldogs can be when they beat a full-strength Duke squad in Maui. They've also proven they can go deep with a similar core, when they played for a National Title in 2017. Even in such a tough region, I actually like 'Zaga to come out this region alive.

Ja Morant has quickly become a big name in the world of college hoops, attracting rave reviews from opponents and scouts alike. The explosive, Russell Westbrook-esque point guard leads the 12th-seeded Murray State Racers, who look like a possible giant killer in this side of the bracket. Morant is putting up staggering numbers, with averages of 24.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 10.0 APG, while shooting 50% from the field. He is the unquestioned leader of an explosive Murray State offense that is extremely efficient, hitting 100 or more points five separate times on the year. This Racers team also gets a very favorable draw, with fifth-seeded Marquette trending down. The Golden Eagles have lost five of six entering March Madness, and has really struggled defensively. This really looks like it has a chance to be a 5-12 upset, but even if it isn't, it will be worth tuning in to. Morant and Marquette guard Markus Howard are two of the best players in the entire nation, and can absolutely take over games at times. Watching those two duel it out in Hartford will be as good of TV as we'll get in what should be an exciting first round.

Sitting at a four seed in this field, Florida State looks like the best bet to come out of the West for any team not named Gonzaga. The Seminoles started off ACC play 1-4, but have been one of the best teams in the country down the stretch. They ended up winning 12 of their last 13 in regular season league play, with the lone exception being a loss on the road against North Carolina. Yet, they didn't get much attention behind the three eventual 1 seeds in the ACC, which makes them somewhat of a dark horse entering the Big Dance. The Seminoles don't play a necessarily pretty brand of basketball, but they don't need to. They have great size up and down their roster, play sound defense and are one of the deepest teams in all of college basketball, with the option to go ten deep if they have to. Now, its important to also realize they just happened to get an incredibly tough draw with the 13th-seeded Vermont Catamounts. Vermont, who won the America East Conference, is a strong, well-built basketball team that will be a stiff challenge in the first round. Florida State also is incredibly streaky; when they're shooting the ball well from deep they can legitimately beat anybody in the country but the moment they turn cold this team becomes a much different basketball team. All in all, use caution when picking this Florida State team. They certainly have the potential to go deep, but they also have the potential to drop their opener. This is the type of boom-or-bust team that is going to cause some real chaos in this side of the bracket.

At 19-15 and an eighth place regular season finish in the SEC, Florida doesn't exactly have a resume that inspires much confidence. Yet, sitting at a 10 seed this Gators team does look like they could be a team ready to make some noise. They've ended the year on a little bit of a run, upsetting the top seed in the SEC Tournament, LSU, in the quarterfinals before giving eventual champ Auburn all they could handle a game later. Florida also does get an extremely favorable bye, getting Nevada in their first round matchup. Nevada did return a ton of production from last year's Sweet 16 squad, but they have been trending down, unable to get past the other top teams in the Mountain West like San Diego State and Utah State. Nevada all in all owns just one non-conference victory over a team that is in the Field of 68 (11th seed Arizona State) and could struggle to put up points against a quality Gators' defense. If UF is able to find a way to get past the Wolf Pack in Round One, they present a unique challenge for No. 2 seed Michigan, who shouldn't have too much trouble with Montana. The Wolverines have been streaky offensively for much of the season, and Florida could again have the defense needed to stop them. The Gators might not have the flashy look of a team ready to make a run, but they are in a nice position to make some noise in the bottom portion of this region.

After an incredibly hot start to this season, which included a 17-0 start and wins against Villanova, UNC and Purdue, Michigan fell back to Earth a little bit in Big Ten play. Of course, a 15-5 record in the ultra-competitive Big Ten is nothing to feel bad about, and the Wolverines still did enough to lock in a two seed. They enter this Tournament as another team that has some serious boom-or-bust potential. They have a number of offensive weapons, ranging from big man Ignas Brazdeikis to exciting wings Charles Matthews and Jordan Poole, the hero of last year's NCAA Tournament. Yet, there offensive numbers aren't overwhelming this season and good defenses have proven they can stop them, such as Wisconsin or Michigan State. The Wolverines will be able to counter with their own defense, which has been dominant at times itself, allowing just over 58 PPG (currently second in the entire country). Michigan also has the advantage of experience, with a big chunk of last year's group returning after playing for a National Title. Plus, head coach John Beilein has proven himself time and time again in March, and I think he may actually be a little bit underrated at this point in his career. This Wolverines team certainly has the tools to go deep, but they are in a tough region and have some issues that could hold them back. I'm picking them to go to the Sweet 16, but it wouldn't be shocking if they over-perform or seriously underperform that target.

Picking the West

Round One
1 Gonzaga over 16 Prairie View A&M (First Four winner) ... Gonzaga gains some valuable momentum by taking apart the SWAC Champion Prairie View A&M Panthers.

8 Syracuse over 9 Baylor ... Does this Syracuse team have another Tournament run in them? Their patented 2-3 zone and dynamic guards will be a tough matchup for anybody in the field.

12 Murray State over 5 Marquette ... This game should be thrilling, and will keep the scoreboard operators busy. I like Ja Morant to keep his college career alive by taking down the cold Golden Eagles.

4 Florida State over 13 Vermont ... Possible upset alert definitely, but Florida State's depth puts them over the edge here.

6 Buffalo over 11 Arizona State (First Four winner) ... Bobby Hurley at Arizona State will be eager to beat his old team, but this Buffalo squad has all the tools to survive.

3 Texas Tech over 14 Northern Kentucky ... This Texas Tech squad is legit, and their suffocating defense will fluster the Horizon League Champ.

10 Florida over 7 Nevada ... Nevada does have a lot of talent and experience, but the Gators are trending up at the right time.

2 Michigan over 15 Montana ... 15th seed Montana is no joke, but Michigan's size and shooting should put them over the top in this one.

Round Two
1 Gonzaga over 8 Syracuse ... This is going to be a tough game for Gonzaga, but Zach Norvell and Josh Perkins should be able to outshoot Syracuse's zone.

4 Florida State over 12 Murray State ... Morant and Murray State will keep things close, but they don't have the size to compete with this FSU team for 40 minutes.

3 Texas Tech over 6 Buffalo ... The Bulls have been able to beat strong defenses all season long, but the Red Raiders are still strong enough on that end to win the game.

2 Michigan over 10 Florida ... Gators offer an interesting challenge to the two seed, but don't have the shooting to down Michigan in Des Moines.

Sweet 16
1 Gonzaga over 4 Florida State ... Gonzaga will be eager to avenge last year's second round loss, but must stay out of foul trouble in the post.

3 Texas Tech over 2 Michigan ... Two of the best defenses in the nation squaring off will make for a tough, physical game. Texas Tech finds a way to come out with the victory here.

Elite Eight
1 Gonzaga over 3 Texas Tech ... I love this TTU squad, but no team that lost their first game in their conference tournament has ever made the Final Four. Not sure if the Red Raiders can be the one to buck this trend.

West Region Champion: 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs 

2019 Bracket Analysis: East Region

R.J. Barrett, Duke

After going on a run to win the ACC Tournament, Duke was awarded the No. 1 overall seed in the Field of 68, and the top seed in the East Region. With Zion Williamson back at full strength, the Blue Devils are going to be a popular National Champion pick, and for good reason. Zion seems to be getting even better as time passes, and R.J. Barrett proved he could lead the team in Zion's absence. Yet, I think the real X-factors on this team entering the Tournament are Cam Reddish and forward Jack White. Reddish and White are the two best shooters on this team, and are crucial to opening up this Duke offense and lanes for Williamson and Barrett to work with. Duke is an incredibly scary team when Reddish is hot, but clearly struggles when he goes cold. The same could be said on a much lesser scale with White. He had a horrific shooting slump in the middle of the season, missing 28 straight three-pointers at one point. If he is able to find his stroke, he adds a much different element to this offense, and forces defenses to focus on others not named Zion or R.J. With that being said, Duke is playing terrific basketball and has the advantage of a pretty favorable region. Their second round matchup will feature one of the weaker 8/9s in the field, and their toughest likely meeting prior to the Elite Eight is probably four seed Virginia Tech. Of course, they do have a strong 2 seed in Michigan State to contend with, but the Blue Devils have all the tools to roll through until that regional final clash with the Spartans.

My favorite dark horse in this region has to be 12th-seeded Liberty, who won the Atlantic Sun conference. That conference has produced some Cinderella stories before (hello, Florida Gulf Coast!) and had a number of strong teams at the top. The Flames were able to come out and win it thanks to a stingy defense that allows less than 61 PPG (sixth in the entire country) and a smart, balanced offensive attack. Forward Scottie James was their leader in points per game and rebounds per game, but is far from their only weapon. Puerto Rican guard Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz is one of the best shooters in the entire nation, knocking down just under 48 percent from downtown. If he is able to get really hot, I see the Flames really rolling in this region. Liberty starts their play against five seed Mississippi State, who is a quality team but certainly beatable. Miss. State has been incredibly streaky all year long offensively, and I see them struggling to find a way to score on this physical Liberty defense. From that point on, an in-state meeting with Virginia Tech could be in the cards, if the Hokies are able to sneak past Atlantic 10 Champion St. Louis.

One of the most surprising developments on Selection Sunday was Belmont of the Ohio Valley Conference making it into the field as an at-large. The Bruins will play in the First Four against a solid Temple team, with the winner going on to square off against Maryland. It was quite frankly shocking Belmont was able to make it in over bigger schools, especially considering their best win was over Murray State when their star PG, Ja Morant, was hurt. Yet, that doesn't mean Belmont isn't deserving, as this is a well-rounded team that has a superb offense. They run their offense through a very special backcourt that knows how to fill it up. Veteran Dylan Windler is averaging a double-double on the year, while shooting 55% from the field, while fellow guards Kevin McClain and Grayson Murphy have also proven they can step up and make big plays. Nearly every single year since the Tournament expanded to 68, a First Four team has been able to have success, with VCU in 2011 being the ultimate example. I think this Belmont team should be able to win against Temple, and find a way to upset Maryland. Heck, with LSU in a state of flux with head coach Will Wade currently suspended, a Sweet 16 berth might not be too crazy for the Bruins either.

Minnesota has had a nice recovery following a disappointing '17-'18 season, getting into the bracket as a ten seed. I've called for Richard Pitino's job on this blog before, but the Gophers are playing great basketball under him, including two victories over Purdue in the last few weeks. They remain an incredibly inconsistent team, but should be an interesting team to watch in this region. Jordan Murphy continues to be one of the most productive and reliable forwards in major college basketball, while junior guard Amir Coffey has been a tear over the last few games and can absolutely take over. Yet beware: the Gophers still have nobody to run their offense at point guard and are extremely thin, particularly in the frontcourt. Pitino has used Coffey and veteran Dupree McBrayer as his initiators of the offense all year long, but neither are true point guards. The only true PG on this roster is sophomore Isaiah Washington, who has been in Pitino's doghouse for some time and has been used sparingly. This issue has really shown itself in Minnesota's halfcourt offense all year, and it could doom them against a well-built Louisville opponent. The lack of depth in the frontcourt is especially troubling, where the Gophers miss Eric Curry, who is out for the year. All in all, a streaky team like this may be able to make some noise, but I would not bet on it. If they find a way to get past Louisville, Michigan State looms, a team Minnesota never seems to beat.

While Duke may be a popular pick to win the East, I think that the Big Ten Champion Michigan State Spartans are going to be the eventual Final Four rep from this region. Since a shocking loss at Illinois, Michigan State has won 10 of 11 and looks hungry to go deep in this Tournament. They are led by steady point guard Cassius Winston, who won Big Ten Player of the Year and does everything well. He can score in a variety of ways, is an insanely good passer and shoots from three-point at a 41% clip. He gives MSU an advantage not a lot of teams in this bracket have: a veteran point guard who has won a lot of games. Michigan State also has an experience, deep frontcourt even with forward Kyle Ahrens future in question following an injury today in the Big Ten Championship. Nick Ward is fully healthy after missing some time and remains a force on the block, while Kenny Goins and Xavier Tillman have proven themselves all season long. Is Michigan State the most talented team in this region? No, but Tom Izzo has proven himself countless times in March, and veteran-laden teams like this tend to be the smart bet in such a wild sport.

Picking the East

Round One
1 Duke over 16 North Dakota State (First Four Winner) ... No chance this year the No. 1 overall seed drops to a 16 seed. Zion and company absolutely roll here.

9 UCF over 8 VCU... UCF has not been in the Tournament for over a decade, and it shouldn't end quickly, as they use their superior size to beat VCU.

12 Liberty over 5 Mississippi State ... Ben Howland has won a lot of NCAA Tournament games during his head coaching tenure, but his Bulldogs get upset by Liberty in this one.

4 Virginia Tech over 13 St. Louis ... Virginia Tech is a quality basketball team and they are bolstered by the return of star guard Justin Robinson, who has been out since January.

11 Belmont (First Four winner) over 6 Maryland ... Maryland has been a surprise but they are the fourth-youngest basketball team in the country, and don't have the defense to stop Belmont.

3 LSU over 14 Yale ... LSU is in a weird state with Will Wade's uncertain future, but they should still have enough in the tank to sneak past the Ivy League champ.

7 Louisville over 10 Minnesota ... Should be a good game, but the Cardinals are a great offensive rebounding team, which should be all the difference against a thin Minnesota squad.

2 Michigan State over 15 Bradley ... Wasn't that long ago second-seeded Michigan State was upset by Middle Tennessee. Don't see history repeating itself in this particular instance.

Round Two
1 Duke over 9 UCF... This may be a closer game than people think, but UCF simply doesn't have the athletes to slow down Zion and R.J. Barrett over the course of 40 minutes.

4 Virginia Tech over 12 Liberty ... The Flames are going to be a tough out for anybody, but the Hokies find a way to outshoot Liberty's strong defense.

3 LSU over 11 Belmont ... Again, I would not be shocked if Belmont found a way to move on, but LSU was the SEC regular season champ for a reason.

2 Michigan State over 7 Louisville ... Chris Mack has done a great job getting Louisville back on track, but it would be a tall order to expect the Cardinals to take down this surging MSU team.

Sweet 16
1 Duke over 4 Virginia Tech ... The Hokies did beat Duke earlier this season, but Duke is healthier now and much more motivated.

2 Michigan State over 3 LSU ... The Tigers may be able to compete with Michigan State in the post, but the Spartans superior shooting gives them the win here.

Elite Eight
2 Michigan State over 1 Duke ... This would be a epic clash between two great programs and two great head coaches. Again, Michigan State's shooting and experience puts them over the top in what should be a close one.

East Region Champion: 2 Michigan State Spartans

2019 Big Ten Tournament Prediction

Anthony Cowan, Maryland

First Round

12 Rutgers Scarlet Knights over 13 Nebraska Cornhuskers
Rutgers has struggled to consistently climb out of the Big Ten cellar since joining the conference, but this 2019 squad is a tough, physical group that should not be overlooked. On the other hand, Nebraska has been trending down for some time now. They were ranked entering conference play, but suffered a midseason stretch of seven straight losses. Senior wing James Palmer Jr. gives them a fighting chance, but he has been incredibly inefficient at times. Unless he is able to figure things out against a stingy Rutgers defense, I like the Scarlet Knights to move on.

11 Illinois Fighting Illini over 14 Northwestern Wildcats
The Fighting Illini have been about as streaky as you can get in head coach Brad Underwood's second season in Champaign, but they've shown they can have their moments. They've pounded Minnesota, handled Maryland and shocked Michigan State at home. They're the time of up-and-down team that could get hot at the right time, even though the postseason is completely out of the question. Stud freshman forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili is a force on both ends, and Northwestern does not have anybody that can counter him.

Second Round

9 Indiana Hoosiers over 8 Ohio State Buckeyes
These are two teams who sit firmly on the bubble at the moment, and a victory in Chicago could be the difference between dancing and playing in the NIT. Indiana's dealt with a lot of injuries, and at one point lost 12 of 13 games. Yet, amazingly, they're still alive, thanks to a season sweep of Michigan State and non-conference victories over Marquette and Louisville. Ohio State has a slightly better record but has lost six of eight and lacks many quality wins. The Buckeyes should be able to play defense, but can they shoot? They've been held under 60 points in four of those last eight games. I like the Hoosiers to continue their recent hot streak here.

5 Maryland Terrapins over 12 Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The two newest teams to the Big Ten clash in the second round here, and I expect a good game. Rutgers should be able to counter Maryland's PG Anthony Cowan with their own skilled backcourt, but do they have an answer for forwards Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith? Fernando is an absolute load to handle for any big man, while Smith has been stroking from downtown after a very cold start to the year. Maryland is the slightly better rebounding team, which could end up being an important factor in pushing them to a victory.

7 Minnesota Golden Gophers over 10 Penn State Nittany Lions
After narrowly missing the NCAA field last season, Penn State had a brutal start to league play in '18-'19, but they seem to be gelling at the right time. They've won five of six to rise from the cellar of the conference to the 10 seed. They've struggled offensively all year, but forward Lamar Stevens gives them a really good chance against Minnesota. Yet, they'll need to find a way to slow down Gopher guard Amir Coffey, who is averaging 29 PPG over the last three. He'll be instrumental in guiding Minnesota to a close, hard-fought win.

11 Illinois Fighting Illini over 6 Iowa Hawkeyes
While a few teams in the bottom tier of the conference are hitting their stride, Iowa is going the wrong way. They've dropped five of their last six, including a 20-point beatdown on the road against Wisconsin where they shot 31% from the field. Its concerning for the Hawkeyes, who have been built on their offense all year, and care little about the other end of the court (defense ranks 246th nationally in points allowed). Head coach Fran McCaffrey is back after a two-game suspension, but can he motivate this struggling team? Illinois should be able to take advantage of the Hawkeyes' questionable defense, particularly from deep.

Quarterfinals

1 Michigan State Spartans over 9 Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana has found a way to take down Michigan State in both their meetings so far this season, and they'll enter this game with a bunch of confidence and motivation. Yet, they just so happen to be playing an incredibly hot Michigan State squad, winners of seven of their last eight games, including a season sweep of rival Michigan to lock down the league's top seed. The Spartans also get back big man Nick Ward, who is expected to play all Tournament. He's missed significant time with a hand injury, but is crucial to this offense's success.

4 Wisconsin Badgers over 5 Maryland Terrapins
Wisconsin and Maryland have split the season series so far this year, and I expect a competitive quarterfinals matchup between the two of them. If I'm Maryland I put Wisconsin senior Ethan Happ on the free throw line as much as possible (47% from the line on the season), yet others have proven they can step up. Senior Khalil Iverson has been huge for this team down the stretch, as has budding sophomore Nate Reuvers. The Badgers' suffocating defense, which is eighth in the country in points allowed per game, should help them come out on top.

2 Purdue Boilermakers over 7 Minnesota Gophers
A recent home win over Purdue likely locked in Minnesota to the Big Dance, but the Boilermakers should be out for vengeance in the rematch here. Big man Matt Haarms should be in store for a great game, eager to take on a thin Minnesota frontcourt after going 1-8 from the field in their last meeting. However, the X-factor is undeniably Carsen Edwards; the All-American guard has been terrific for much of the season but had a horrific 7-31 shooting night the last time these two teams met. He is going to need to defer to Purdue's other offensive weapons, namely sharpshooting Ryan Cline, in order for the Boilermakers to get the win.

3 Michigan Wolverines over 11 Illinois Fighting Illini
The top four seeds in the conference all reaching the semifinals? Maybe its unrealistic but MSU, Purdue, Michigan and Wisconsin have really separated themselves from the rest of the pack all year long. The Wolverines are going to get an aggressive fight from the Illini, but Illinois really lacks the length UM possesses. Forward Ignas Brazdeikis should have a big day for the Wolverines, and their tough, physical defense will force the Illini into some poor shots.

Semifinals

1 Michigan State Spartans over 4 Wisconsin Badgers
These are two well-built, deep teams that are locking to improve their seeding before the NCAA Tournament. The backcourt action will be thrilling to watch as possible Big Ten Player of the Year Cassius Winston duels against Iverson and Brad Davison. Yet, the real deciding factor will be in the paint, where a healthy Nick Ward should be able to make all the difference.

3 Michigan Wolverines over 2 Purdue Boilermakers
Michigan has not been shooting the ball great down the stretch, but that could change just at the right moment. Steady veteran Charles Matthews has missed their last three games with an ankle injury, but was dressed against MSU, and should be ready to go by this point. When Matthews, Jordan Poole and Zavier Simpson are all playing well, the trio is absolutely unstoppable. It should be enough to overpower Purdue, who really struggled to shoot the ball the last time these two met, and doesn't match up favorably with the Wolverines.

Championship

1 Michigan State Spartans over 3 Michigan Wolverines
A No. 1 seed winning their respective conference tournament? Not exactly going out on a limb, and a pretty boring pick. Yet, this Michigan State squad looks like the Tom Izzo teams of old, who seem to always hit their stride right when March rolls around. Winston is going to keep the offense chugging along as will the addition of Ward, but give credit to Michigan State's unheralded veterans. Guys like Matt McQuaid and Kenny Goins have been crucial to this team, and their veteran leadership will be huge in helping the Spartans take home the Big Ten Tournament crown in Chicago. Could it help them lock down a No. 1 seed in the Field of 68? Currently sitting at sixth in the polls, it isn't unreasonable.

2019 Big Ten Tournament Champion: Michigan State Spartans

NFL Mock Draft 2019: Edition 2 (Combine Edition)

Kyler Murray, No. 1 to Arizona

1. Arizona Cardinals 
Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
New Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury once stated he would draft Kyler Murray No. 1 overall if he had the chance. Of course, Kingsbury and Arizona now have the chance and all the rumors coming out at the NFL Combine center around the Cardinals taking the reigning Heisman winner. Murray didn't take part in any drills while at Indianapolis, but he measured in at 5'10" and over 207 pounds, which was still enough to press onlooking scouts.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Nick Bosa, DL, Ohio State
If Murray does indeed go No. 1, San Francisco would jump on the chance to land Nick Bosa, who is widely viewed as the best prospect in the 2019 Draft at this point. Bosa took off much of this fall to focus on the Draft and it showed, impressing in drills and measurements. He would immediately add some serious bite to a Niners' pass rush that needed it in the second half of this past season.
3. New York Jets
Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama
Williams was absolutely unstoppable at times this fall for the Crimson Tide, and a strong Combine only strengthened his chance to go in the Top 5 and possibly even be the top guy off the board. He posted a 4.83 40-time, showcasing an impressive amount of athleticism and quickness despite his mammoth size.
4. Oakland Raiders
Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky
Oakland's defense has been historically bad at times these last few years, and adding an imposing edge rusher is absolutely necessary with Khalil Mack long gone. Josh Allen is the best hybrid end/outside 'backer in this Draft class, and he boasts impressive versatility and range. Jon Gruden has to jump on the chance to add such a difference-maker at the four spot.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Selecting a franchise left tackle to keep Jameis Winston on his feet looks like a top priority for new head coach Bruce Arians and the Buccaneers. They certainly could be a team looking to trade down, considering this is a weak offensive line class, but if they stay firm at 5, Jonah Williams looks like the favorite. He was a three-year starter while at Alabama, and has proven himself as a top-flight pass blocker.
6. New York Giants
Dwayne Haskins Jr., QB, Ohio State
The Giants have withheld from selecting a quarterback in the first round for some time now, but they can't ignore the quarterback situation anymore. Eli Manning is clearly nearing the end of his time, but may still have one year left in the tank for New York to develop a signal-caller. With Murray gone, Haskins is head-and-shoulders above any other QB at this point, and seems like a good fit in Pat Shurmur's offense.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Ed Oliver, DL, Houston
With Nick Foles rumored to be signing with Jacksonville when free agency opens up, the Jaguars need at quarterback evaporates for the time being. Instead, they'll likely look go best player available at this slot, with Ed Oliver the front-runner. Oliver could play inside or outside on this D-Line, and he has just as much upside as many pass rusher in this Draft.
8. Detroit Lions
Devin White, LB, LSU
After running a blazing 40-yard dash at the Combine, Devin White has locked himself in as the top middle linebacker in this class. The former LSU Tiger can really do it all; he's an elite run stopper but also can go out and cover tight ends or receivers. He would be a huge upgrade for a Detroit Lions' linebacker corps that was among the worst in the NFL this season.
9. Buffalo Bills
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
D.K. Metcalf came away from Indianapolis as perhaps the biggest winner at any position. He really impressed on all the strength tests, and put in a 4.33 40. He looks like the pretty clear No. 1 receiver at this juncture, and Buffalo really needs receiving help. Metcalf is the type of deep threat that could really open up a Bills' offense that lacked big plays in 2018.
10. Denver Broncos
Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Acquiring Joe Flacco early this off-season will almost certainly not solve Denver's long-running quarterback problems. They'd love if either Haskins or Murray were available at 10, but if they aren't, Drew Lock is the pick. GM John Elway has been enthralled with Lock for some time now, and his huge arm would be a major upgrade over the Case Keenum and Trevor Simians of the world.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
Montez Sweat, DE/LB, Mississippi State
Cincinnati is a fascinating team to watch at this point, as they could go any number of directions with the eleventh pick. While offensive line could be in play, as well as a QB to possibly replace Andy Dalton, I think they'll go defense here. Montez Sweat is another guy who wowed scouts at the Combine, and he would immediately help the Bengals' ailing pass rush.
12. Green Bay Packers
Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan
Green Bay was hopeful Muhammed Wilkerson would vastly improve their struggling D-Line this past fall but Wilkerson was knocked out just a few games into the year. Even if Wilkerson is retained, the Packers should look at a long-term solution here. Rashan Gary was never extremely productive while at Michigan, but he has all the tools to be a force off the edge for this Green Bay defense.
13. Miami Dolphins
Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
With the top three quarterbacks off the board, Miami looks for other solutions to their quarterback problems and goes best player available here. Clelin Ferrell is the type of pass rusher that could go Top 5 even in a stacked defensive line class, and the Dolphins would be thrilled to get him at 13. He should be a fun new toy for first-year head coach Brian Flores, who was formerly DC in New England.
14. Atlanta Falcons
Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
Issues on the defensive line have plagued Atlanta for some time now, and they can't wait any longer to remedy their issues. They have a history of drafting Clemson D-Linemen, and they go back to the Tigers here by adding talented Christian Wilkins. Wilkins measures very well, and was highly productive over his four years in South Carolina.
15. Washington Redskins
Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
Even if Alex Smith didn't suffer a horrifying leg injury this fall, Washington really needed a long-term solution at the quarterback position. They look like they could trade up but if they stick in the middle of the first, Duke's Daniel Jones looks like the guy. Jones is not necessarily flashy, but he has the size and arm strength, and also learned under noted QB guru David Cutcliffe while at Duke.
16. Carolina Panthers
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Talented tight end Greg Olsen suffered yet another injury this past December that ended his year early, the latest in a string of setbacks for the veteran. Carolina hopes Olsen can return 100 percent but its looking more and more like they should look elsewhere at the position. Hockenson was very productive at Iowa in 2018, and looks like a first-round pick. He gives Cam Newton another tool to work with in an offense lacking big play options.
17. Cleveland Browns
Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
Baker Mayfield was extremely impressive in his first season with the Browns, flashing the potential to lead Cleveland to new heights. Cleveland would do good to surround him with even more pieces, including a stronger O-Line to keep him up right. There were an abundance of options at this spot, but Jawaan Taylor is a guy with Top 10 talent. Taylor would also help their ground game; he was a beast in run blocking all fall while at Florida.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma
Minnesota shouldn't even consider going anywhere else with this pick than offensive line. People are quick to blame Kirk Cousins for the missed postseason, but the porous O-Line was really the bigger problem. Cody Ford would be a fine direction to go here, as he excelled throughout his time in Norman, and has significant upside.
19. Tennessee Titans
A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
While his Ole Miss teammate Metcalf may be getting all the attention right now, A.J. Brown was more productive with the Rebels, and less of a risk. He's got an ideal frame in today's NFL, wide wide, sticky hands. He would be a nice addition in this Tennessee offense next to rising Corey Davis, another former first-rounder.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
Pittsburgh has not been able to fill the void left by Ryan Shazier, so linebacker must be a top priority entering this Draft. They'd ideally land Devin White, but I don't think there is any chance he sticks around into the mid-first. Settling for Mack Wilson is a fine consolation; he's the latest in the factory that is the Alabama inside linebacker position.
21. Seattle Seahawks
Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
The Seahawks aren't equipped to get together another "Legion of Boom" secondary, but they need to upgrade what was a thin group in 2018. They should continue the run on Alabama defenders with Deionte Thompson, who put together an All-American campaign. He is rangy, well-built and has a high football IQ, making this is a no-brainer.
22. Baltimore Ravens
Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
Lamar Jackson was an electrifying bolt to a mediocre Baltimore offense, but he'll still need help around from a patched-up group of offensive weapons. Parris Campbell put together a quality Combine, and looks like a late first-rounder at this point. He could do some real damage with Jackson's rocket arm.
23. Houston Texans
DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia
I think this is an underrated group of defensive backs, with some lasting deeper in the first round then they deserve. DeAndre Baker is the cream of the crop, a guy with ample experience in the physical world of SEC football. He has quality size and superb coverage skills, and performed well at the Combine.
24. Oakland Raiders
Brian Burns, DE, Florida State
Jon Gruden continues to craft the defense to his liking by selecting Brian Burns with their second selection of the first round. Burns has excellent quickness and upper body strength, and has proven himself a superb edge rusher. He had 23 sacks over three seasons with Florida State, including ten in 2018.
25. Philadelphia Eagles
Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
Is there a chance Philadelphia could go after one of the biggest names in the free agent market, Le'Veon Bell? Perhaps, but they need to figure out their running back situation either way. Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles could both be gone with contracts expiring. Josh Jacobs does so many things well, and is a smooth pass-catcher in the open field.
26. Indianapolis Colts
Jachai Polite, DL, Florida
The Colts were one of the bigger surprises of the 2018 season, thanks in large part to a much-improved defense top to bottom. With that being said, they could get even better and younger up front, and this Draft has no shortage of options. Jachai Polite measured very well at the Combine and is the type of powerful linemen that should excel at the next level.
27. Oakland Raiders
Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
With the pick they acquired in the Amari Cooper deal, Oakland hopes for a new No. 1 guy in their offense. Marquise Brown didn't run at the Combine due to foot problems, but his college tape should show you all you need to know. He has electrifying speed and explosiveness, equipped to do plenty of damage with Derek Carr.
28. Los Angeles Chargers
Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
Phillip Rivers may be 37 years old, but he still looks like he has a lot left in the tank, particularly if he is protected adequately. There is a lot of options here on the offensive line, but Andre Dillard might have the most potential. He measured very well at the Combine and has the type of frame that will fit right in at the next level.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Once one of the strengths of this Kansas City team, Kansas City's secondary lacked playmakers a season ago and will have to be remedied. They would absolutely love if Williams drops all the way down near the bottom of the first round. The uber-athletic corner has size, strength and ball skills, and has a higher ceiling than most of the other corners in this Draft class.
30. Green Bay Packers
Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Jimmy Graham just is not the type of player he once was, and the Packers could use some more weapons to open up this offense. Noah Fant becomes the second Iowa tight end taken in Round 1; he isn't as dangerous in the red zone as Hockenson, but is a better athlete who can really space the field for this GB offense.
31. Los Angeles Rams
Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi State
The Rams got quality production from their defensive line and pass rush this past season, but it didn't come cheap. Ndamukong Suh simply is not worth a 20 million dollar price tag, and Los Angeles could add a cheaper, younger option here in Jeffery Simmons. Simmons may have off-the-field concerns, but there is no denying the astounding talent he possesses.
32. New England Patriots
Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC State
Even though he didn't have a great Combine, Kelvin Harmon remains one of the top receivers in this Draft. Harmon ran slow compared to some of the other bigger names, but his strength centers around his size and ability to catch in traffic. This would greatly help a New England offense that lacks any true playmaker at receiver beyond Julian Edelman.