NCAA Tournament Picks: South | West | East | Midwest | Final Four
2018 NCAA Tournament Picks – Final Four Bracket
By Walter Cherepinsky – @walterfootball
Rather than go through, game by game, I’m going to show you my selections on the brackets and post notes on some of the interesting contests:
Yes, I don’t have any No. 1 or 2 seeds in my Final Four. If there were ever a year for this to happen, this would be it. All we’ve heard all year from the talking heads on TV is that there are no elite teams in college basketball this season. And they’ve been absolutely right about that. This year’s tournament isn’t about picking which No. 1 seeds go to the Final Four; it’s about deciding which teams will dethrone them in their bracket.
So, with that in mind, I have three No. 3 seeds and a No. 5. However, these teams are all underseeded. Kentucky has the best talent in the country and is coming together at the right time. Michigan caught fire and won the Big Ten Tournament. Texas Tech was dominant prior to getting injured, but is healthy again. Michigan State, meanwhile, should have been a No. 2 seed. In fact, I would argue that every single team I have in the Final Four could have been seeded as a No. 2 under different circumstances.
So, let’s get to the picks. I like the matchup Kentucky has over Michigan. The Wolverines can shoot the lights out, but the length of the Wildcat players gives them a great perimeter defense, and that will keep Michigan’s offense from catching fire. On the other side, Michigan State and Texas Tech is a great matchup, but I prefer Tom Izzo’s tournament experience as a tie-breaker.
I thought long and hard about the Kentucky-Michigan State winner. It came down to two things: First, Kentucky is so inexperienced, and while talent will overcome that, I have to think Izzo will come up with some sort of great game plan to outwit the young Wildcats. And second, I think there’s a better chance Michigan State makes it to the title game. Kentucky is coming out of a very tough bracket, featuring Virginia, Cincinnati and Arizona. Hell, they may not even make it out of the opening weekend! I think that perfectly describes the amount of parity there is this season.
There are going to be a ton of upsets this year. Given the lack of elite teams and the high level of parity, it’s really anyone’s game. There are 20 or so teams that legitimately have a decent chance to win the national championship, so enjoy the games even if your bracket is busted by the end of Day 1!
NCAA Tournament Picks: South | West | East | Midwest | Final Four
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