2010 March Madness Bracket predictions best potential games
Let’s start with the toughest Final Four region in the bracket, the Midwest. Kansas received the overall number 1 seed, but were almost punished in the way the region unfolded. Kansas is looking at a potential sweet 16 game against Michigan State or Maryland; two teams that have some of the best coaches in the NCAA and teams that have historically done well in the NCAA Tournament for their respective coaches, Tom Izzo and Gary Williams. If they escape to the Elite Eight, it doesn’t get any easier with Tennessee, Georgetown and Ohio State all on the other end of the bracket. A Georgetown-Ohio State matchup in the Sweet 16 could be an explosive Final Four rematch a few years back when Greg Oden led the Buckeyes into the championship game. Also keep an eye on Tennessee, an unjust 6 seed, going up against San Diego State, fresh off steamrolling the Mountain West tournament. The Volunteers beat both Kansas and Kentucky this year, but would have to beat San Diego State, Georgetown, Ohio State and Kansas to reach Indianapolis. Not likely. I like Kansas surviving because they are the best team in the country, but this is a region that will make or break brackets and have fans on the edge of their seats.
The next most difficult region oddly belongs to Kentucky in the East, the second rated team in the tournament. I’m looking at New Mexico vs Marquette as a potential big time matchup. Marquette seemingly only plays games decided in the final minutes and New Mexico has somehow flown under the radar all year despite having a great team. There are then potential games between the Lobos and West Virginia with the winner potentially meeting up with Kentucky. Many people thought West Virginia deserved a 1 seed. Earlier round games see a potential great one with Temple vs Cornell. Both teams have played consistently good throughout the year and Cornell fought with Kansas to the very end. Temple just won the A-10 and I think either team could pose a challenge to Wisconsin to reach the Sweet 16. Look for Kentucky to make the Elite Eight and set up a great matchup with West Virginia or New Mexico. Don’t be surprised, though, if Montana plays New Mexico tough in the first round, but the Lobos will pull it off. I think Kentucky survives too, based solely on their talent. They will be challenged though.
In the South region, I see a lot of potential close games but no one team is wowing me as a Final Four contender. Duke could potentially fall in the second round against Louisville, a team that has already beat 1 seed Syracuse twice this season. Louisville needs to fend off California first. The best potential game I see here is Villanova vs Baylor- two exciting teams with explosive players including ‘Nova’s Scottie Reynolds and Baylor’s LaceDarius Dunn. Villanova made it to the Final Four last year and might make another run this year in this soft bracket. Also look out for a hot Notre Dame team in its first round game against Old Dominion before hooking up with Baylor. If Villanova makes it to the Elite Eight, I think they will make it to the Final Four. Duke does not want to face the ‘Cats and probably cannot handle them.
The West region boasts my favorite number 2 seed, Kansas State. I think the Wildcats will advance to the Final Four, but they could face several talented teams en route. I’m looking at Kansas State-BYU in the second round as a possible bracket-imploding game. BYU is much better than a 7 seed and their pace and talent can keep them in any game. If KSU makes it to the Sweet 16 they will still have to face Pitt or Xavier, two big roadblocks, especially Pittsburgh. The top half of that region doesn’t impress me very much. Gonzaga is capable of knocking off Syracuse, but the Orange could also easily march into the Elite Eight. Vanderbilt and Butler as the 4 and 5 seeds don’t scare me past the first two rounds. I think Butler is going to struggle in this NCAA Tournament and Vanderbilt just doesn’t have enough against Syracuse. I’m thinking the ‘Cuse or Gonzaga against Kansas State to face Kansas in the national semifinals.
I don’t need to dream too much on the Final Four as great matchups are sure to materialize no matter how much the bracket explodes as it tends to do. I still see Kansas and Kentucky, even with the toughest regions, as the clear best two teams in the country and I think they will meet in the championship, with Kentucky winning it all.
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