Sam Rosenblatt
Managing Editor of Sports
DO PICK: Maryland
In their first season in the Big Ten conference, the Terrapins have been dominant. They made it through a tough conference schedule at 14-4 and are currently ranked in the top ten in the country for both the Coaches and AP polls. I expect the Terps to parlay regular season success into March Madness victories, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a run all the way to the Final Four in Indianapolis.
DON’T PICK: Villanova
The Wildcats are ranked as high as third in the country by the polls, and have suffered just two losses so far on the season. They are a number one seed in the tournament, but I don’t buy it. Since a Final Four appearance in 2009, Villanova has never made it past the round of 32. They always lose early, and I always pick them to lose early. I’m sticking with my gut on this one and saying the Wildcats are knocked out by a eight or nine seed in the second round.
DARK HORSE: Butler
While wonderboy Coach Brad Stevens may have left for greener pastures (literally, now coach of the Boston Celtics), and the days of stars like Gordon Hayward, Shelvin Mack are gone, don’t sleep on the Butler Bulldogs. Seeding has meant nothing to the Bulldogs in the past, as they reached back-to-back Final Fours first as a five seed and then as an eight seed. Okay, maybe they won’t go as far as those great teams, but they are certain to make some noise. And this year’s Final Four will again be held in Indianapolis, the site of the team’s national championship loss in 2010 and just 20 minutes from the Butler campus. If they make it, they would have an incredible home court advantage.
Liam O’Brien
Managing Editor of Sports
DO PICK: Wisconsin
Fresh off of a Final Four appearance, the Badgers are revamped and reloaded, primed for another deep run in the tournament. Featuring Big Ten Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky, who, in my opinion, is the most skilled big man to grace the conference in quite some time, Wisconsin finished a dominant season with a 28-3 record, earning the six spot in the final AP Poll. In addition to Kaminsky, who averaged 18.4 points per game while shooting 56% from the field, the Badgers are laden with experienced veteran talent, including the likes of forwards Sam Dekker and Nigel Hayes as well as guards Bronson Koenig and Josh Gasser. Always an encouraging sight, Wisconsin is also peaking at the right time, ending their regular season with a convincing 72-48 victory over previously ranked Ohio State in Columbus.
DON’T PICK: Wichita State
Buyers’ beware: The Shockers are not the threat that you believe they are. Despite capturing the Missouri Valley regular season crown after compiling a 28-4 record, Wichita State faced little competition, and mostly faltered when the big tests rolled around. Although they may have captured solid victories over Northern Iowa and Memphis, the team fell in their other matchups against top-notch competition, losing to 17th-ranked Utah, bubble team George Washington, and the Panthers of UNI in January by a drastic margin of 70-54. When faced with crucial situations, such as their bout with Final Four-bound Kentucky in last years Round of 32, I’m not entirely convinced that the likes of Ron Baker (15 points per game) and Fred VanVleet (12.7 ppg) can step up and lead this team to victory.
DARK HORSE: West Virginia
Despite defeating the likes of Big 12 Regular Season Champion Kansas this season, the Mountaineers have received little recognition from the self-proclaimed ¨bracketologists.¨ It’s about time that they get the praise they deserve. Led by Big 12 Coach of the Year Bob Huggins, West Virginia plays an up-tempo style of basketball unlike any other team in the nation outside of VCU, pressuring every team who comes their way, forcing a multitude of turnovers while making the opposition uncomfortable. The Mountaineers, who knocked off the likes of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State as well as the Jayhawks, can score as well, led by first-team all-conference selection Juwan Staten (14.5 points).
Daniel Carney
Columnist/Sports Reporter
DO PICK: Kentucky
After the Wildcats finished the regular season boasting a 31-0 record, it’s extremely surprising to me that none of my colleagues above chose them. Going into another March of buzzer beaters, insane comebacks, and heartbreaking upsets, Kentucky stands alone as the undisputed favorite to raise the hardware. Kentucky head coach John Calipari (former coach of Newton South math teacher Matt Anderson at UMass-Amherst) has created something special for the impressive program. Calipari is truly shifting the landscape of college basketball with the job he does of reeling in top-tier talent on a recurring basis. He has a team that stands as the living definition of a dynasty that never has to rebuild, and his brilliant strategy will gain even more praise if he’s cutting down the nets in Indy come early April. During the regular season, the SEC champion Wildcats steam-rolled over most of their competition due to a punishing defense, finishing third in the nation for allowed points (53.4) and second in the nation for blocks a contest (6.9). Backed by the production from players like Willie Cauley-Stein, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Devin Booker, there is no question that another championship season could be in sight for the defensive juggernaut. Last year’s near-champion Wildcats team didn’t quite have all their mojo going before March Madness arrived (24-10), but the present roster has been firing on all cylinders for the entire season, and as a result are the clear favorites.
DON’T PICK: SMU
SMU, finishing the 2014-2015 season as the winner of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), entered Selection Sunday ranked #20 in the AP poll. In just two games against ranked opponents this season, the Mustangs fell in defeat. After #13 Gonzaga and #25 Arkansas knocked off SMU in November, the team would not go on to face ranked competition for the remainder of the regular season. Though the Mustangs do put forth an impressive showing of passing (19th in the country for assists) and overall shooting (18th in the country for shooting percentage), garnering most victories from team’s in a mediocre conference doesn’t quite convince me they can knock off serious talent in the tourney. Many fans picking brackets will always mix and match with teams ranked in the 20-25 range, and SMU is without question a team people could be picking for no other reason than a good on-paper record (24-6). I’d rather take the team that plays with a tad worse record in a far superior conference than the Mustangs. This program hasn’t made the tourney since 1993 and there’s no way I see a roster with a scarce feel for postseason basketball going any farther than the first round.
DARK HORSE: San Diego State
When watching the runner-up of the Mountain West Conference play, it is undeniable that their defense, on any given night, can compete against any given program in the country. At an average of 53.4 points allowed per contest, San Diego State is currently ranked third in the nation in terms of their defense. The Aztecs have dominated mediocre teams like CSU-Bakersfield, who they held to 27 points, and UC-Riverside, who they held to just 33 points. Even ranked opponents, such as Utah and Wyoming, only managed to post miniscule sums of 49 and 52 points respectively. Grabbing an eight seed in the tourney, the Aztecs could definitely raise some eyebrows if their impeccable defense reveals itself come the first round. Furthermore, San Diego State is no stranger to the NCAA Tournament in recent years. Last year, the Aztecs advanced to the third round after defeating both New Mexico State and North Dakota State before being knocked off by Arizona in the regional semifinal. People seem to be staying quiet on this squad despite their presence in the last five tournaments. Keep sleeping, because just like last year, this program is going to surprise a lot of college basketball fans.
Jake Epstein
Sports Reporter
DO PICK: Duke
Averaging over 81 points a game, the Blue Devils are back with vengeance after a first-round upset last year to Mercer. Finishing the regular season ranked second in Men’s Division I, with a record of 28-3, they rank third in the nation in field-goal percentage. Suffering only one loss to a ranked opponent all season, Duke boasts a 15-3 ACC regular season record. Led by freshman center Jahlil Okafor, with an average of 18 points a game, the lineup features a star-studded cast with the likes of Quinn Cook and Tyus Jones. Look out for Duke in this year’s tourney; they have dominated all season and are coming back with something to prove to the nation.
DON’T PICK: Virginia
Yes, they are ranked third in the country with their only two losses coming against ranked opponents (Duke and Louisville), but this year’s team is not cut out to last long in the tourney. Averaging about 66 points a game, the Cavaliers are ranked 223rd in Division I, breaking the 70 point barrier only a handful of times this season. Their top scorer, Malcolm Brogdon, averages less than 14 points a game, as the team also holds the 55th place spot for field goal percentage (.463). After a bunch of narrow wins against mediocre conference teams, it is hard to picture Virginia in the Elite Eight this year, maybe even in the Sweet Sixteen.
DARK HORSE: Notre Dame
Not always considered a basketball powerhouse, the Irish picked up a three seed in the bracket, after boasting a 26-5 regular season record. Their top scorer, Jerian Grant, averages about 17 points a game, leading the team to a field goal percentage of .512, enough to place them second overall. Notre Dame ranks 14th in the country in points per game, putting up a more than respectable 79 per game. Still, many people do not think of Notre Dame as a legitimate threat to reach the Final Four this season. Notre Dame’s only losses against unranked opponents have been very close games, and their ranked losses came against one seeds Duke and Virginia. I like the Fighting Irish to be the surprise story of this year’s NCAA tournament.
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