Tag: NCAA Tournament

2022 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown: South Region

The South Region of the 2022 NCAA Tournament features all sorts of big names and an abundance of star power. Let’s break it down and preview how the South will play out.

Cover photo taken from The Athletic.

Welcome to the Madness. The NCAA Tournament is finally back in its full glory in 2022, and if you’re not more excited than ever, you’re just lying. Last year was certainly fun, but the tournament was a shell of its usual self, with virtually no fans and a bubble in Indianapolis from start till finish. Now, March Madness is back to full strength with a plethora of different locations, and fans filling the stands all across the country. This promises to be a glorious few weeks in college basketball. To preview the tournament, I’ll be breaking down the 2022 bracket region by region. This is the preview of the South: a region with an abundance of star power and my personal pick to cut down the nets in New Orleans.

Meet the 1 Seed: Arizona Wildcats

This year’s Arizona team is an incredible story. After the turmoil of the last few years with Sean Miller’s departure and an FBI investigation, former long-time Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd took this program over and restored them to their usual glory in just one year. The Wildcats won the most games in college basketball with 31 and dominated the PAC-12 all season long, including a championship in the conference tournament en route to their first 1 seed since 2014. This is a deep, remarkably talented team led by guard Bennedict Mathurin, who is one of my favorite players to watch. Mathurin averages 17/6/3/1 on 46% shooting, and has quickly become one of college basketball’s premier guards and a potential NBA lottery pick. But it’s not just him that makes this team so special. Other key contributors include center Christian Koloko, the National Most Improved Player of the Year, forward Azuolas Tubelis, and guard Kerr Kriisa. Kriisa injured his ankle in the PAC-12 Tournament and could be limited during this tournament, which is something to watch. But, Zona seemed to be just fine without him in those games, and I think that can easily continue in the dance. This is a dominant team on both ends of the floor, playing picturesque offense and shutting down even the best of offenses. They are destined for a deep run and have a fantastic chance of reaching their first Final Four since 2001. It’s safe to say that Arizona basketball is back.

Meet the Sleeper: #7 Ohio State Buckeyes

Honorable Mentions: #5 Houston Cougars, #9 TCU Horned Frogs

In my eyes, there are only two possible outcomes for the Buckeyes in this tournament. They will either lose in the first round, or make a run to at least the second weekend. That has been their nature all season long. Ohio State has huge wins over teams like Duke, Seton Hall, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan State. But, they have also lost to vastly inferior competition, most recently teams like Maryland, Nebraska, and Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament. There’s no doubt that this team is as dangerous as any when they play their best basketball, but a combination of injuries and general inconsistency makes it so that we rarely see the Bucks at their best. With much of both still lingering, it’s going to be feast or famine in this tournament for Ohio State. If they feast, then this team is capable of getting all the way to at least the second weekend, and maybe even the Final Four. It just remains to be seen if they can live up to that potential.

Upset Waiting to Happen: #12 UAB over #5 Houston

Honorable Mentions: #11 Michigan over #6 Colorado State, #13 Chattanooga over #4 Illinois, #10 Loyola Chicago over #7 Ohio State

On paper, Houston is one of the best teams in the country. They have some of the best stats and metrics of any team in college basketball. The Cougars rank 2nd in BPI, 3rd in NET, and 4th in KenPom. This is seemingly just as good of a team as last year’s Final Four squad. But, there is a reason they are a 5 seed. The AAC was remarkably weak this season, and Houston feasted on vastly inferior competition all year long. They also struggled against fellow tournament teams, losing to Wisconsin, Alabama, and Memphis twice. There’s no doubt that Houston is an elite team at their best, but they are much more vulnerable than they might seem. Enter the Blazers of UAB. This is a ridiculously fun team that ran the table in the C-USA Tournament to reach the big dance, and I think they have what it takes to pull off the quintessential 12-5 upset. Led by Jordan “Jelly” Walker, a 20 PPG scorer, the Blazers play top-tier offense, and aren’t so bad on the other side of the ball either. If they can successfully speed things up on the floor, getting Houston off their game, and hit perimeter shots, then I really like UAB’s chance of kicking off a potential Cinderella run. It will be a tall task against one of the nation’s best defenses, but I’ve seen crazier things in March.

Best Potential Games: #1 Arizona vs. #4 Illinois, #1 Arizona vs. #2 Villanova

Honorable Mentions: #1 Arizona vs. #9 TCU, #2 Villanova vs. #3 Tennessee

Illinois hasn’t lived up to their potential this year, a trend that seems to have started in last season’s NCAA Tournament. However, they still have one of college basketball’s most talented lineups, especially up front with their star center, Kofi Cockburn. Going up against an equally-talented Arizona roster in the Sweet 16 would be appointment television, especially with the battle of the big men in Cockburn vs. Zona’s Christian Koloko. This would be a phenomenal game between two historic basketball programs: just what March is all about. I’d have to roll with the Wildcats simply due to the utter inconsistency that the Illini have displayed all season long vs. Arizona’s year-long dominance.

Here’s a question for you. When the Wildcats face off against the Wildcats, who emerges victorious. Probably the Wildcats, right? All jokes aside, Arizona-Villanova would be a spectacular game for anyone who loves basketball. The guard play on display would be something special, with Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin facing off against Villanova’s Collin Gillespie. Other players like Kerr Kriisa of Arizona and Justin Moore of Villanova just add to the pageantry of this one. Again, I’d have to rock with Arizona to win this one. I truly believe they are the best team in the field.

My Pick for New Orleans: #1 Arizona

Honorable Mentions: #2 Villanova Wildcats, #3 Tennessee Volunteers

Arizona is not just my pick to win this region and make the Final Four. They are my pick to win the NCAA Tournament. They are the best basketball team I have seen this season. Gonzaga is close, but we see how that plays out every season. Bennedict Mathurin is ready to play his way into a household name, and Tommy Lloyd is ready to lead one of the most improbable title runs in history. I’ve got the Wildcats beating Tennessee in the Regional Final to get to New Orleans, where two more wins await them.

Full Round of 64 Picks:

#1 Arizona over #16 Wright State: Zona’s title run has to start somewhere.

#9 TCU over #8 Seton Hall: On their best day, the Pirates can beat some of the nation’s top teams. The problem? They don’t have many great days. TCU was a pest in the Big 12 all year long, and their size and athleticism will win them this game.

#12 UAB over #5 Houston: All of the metrics in the college basketball world absolutely adore the Cougars. Makes sense that a team full of seniors that just went to the Final Four gets so much love. For some reason, I just don’t see it. UAB is a super fun team led by guard Jordan “Jelly” Walker, that willed their way into the dance in last week’s C-USA tournament. Why not them?

#4 Illinois over #13 Chattanooga: The Mocs seem to be a trendy upset pick in this game, but I just don’t see it. Just imagine Kofi Cockburn going up against those guys, and your mind might change.

#6 Colorado State over #11 Michigan: The Rams have a budding star in David Roddy, one of college basketball’s best players. Stars usually tend to shine brightest in March. Moreover, the Wolverines should not have made the tournament. The fact that they got a bye is insulting. Luckily for us, their stay in the dance will be short and sweet. Let’s just hope Juwan Howard keeps his hands to himself.

#3 Tennessee over #14 Longwood: The SEC champion Vols are as hot as anyone in America right now, and are criminally under-seeded as a 3. Look for them to continue playing with a chip on their shoulder en route to a deep run.

#10 Loyola Chicago over #7 Ohio State: The Buckeyes are just so unlucky. Injuries have derailed them all year long, and they come into this tournament limping after a loss to Penn State in the Big Ten tournament. They have the star power to compete against anyone in this tournament, but with the way they stand, this pick just seems too plausible. The Ramblers love making noise in March, and I think that trend will continue on Friday afternoon.

#2 Villanova over #15 Delaware: This is Villanova’s best shot at a title since their last in 2018. This team is as deep and experienced as any, and that tends to work wonders in March. This will be the start of a potentially special run for the Wildcats.

All stats taken from ESPN.

2022 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown: East Region

The East Region of the 2022 NCAA Tournament features incredible potential with some of basketball’s biggest brands. Let’s break it down and preview how the East will play out.

Cover photo taken from The Sun.

Welcome to the Madness. The NCAA Tournament is finally back in its full glory in 2022, and if you’re not more excited than ever, you’re just lying. Last year was certainly fun, but the tournament was a shell of its usual self, with virtually no fans and a bubble in Indianapolis from start till finish. Now, March Madness is back to full strength with a plethora of different locations, and fans filling the stands all across the country. This promises to be a glorious few weeks in college basketball. To preview the tournament, I’ll be breaking down the 2022 bracket region by region. This is the preview of the East: a region with some of the biggest brands in the sport, with potential late-round games that can captivate the country.

Meet the 1 Seed: Baylor Bears

The defending champions are back with a vengeance and geared up for a potential repeat. Head coach Scott Drew continues to work miracles in Waco, further establishing Baylor as a perennial power in college basketball. It was a bit of a bumpy season, with injuries running rampant during the conference schedule and derailing the Bears for a few weeks. But, by season’s end, Baylor proved themselves as a team more than deserving of a 1 seed. This year’s squad is similar to last year’s title-winning team in the sense that they pride themselves on elite defense on the perimeter and inside alongside impeccable guard play. Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell may be gone, but James Akinjo, a transfer from Arizona, and 2021 champ Adam Flagler headline a more than capable backcourt. LJ Cryer is another key piece of the backcourt, but he has been dealing with a foot injury since January that could keep him on the sidelines for this tournament. The frontcourt is still dominant as well, led by forward Flo Thamba, but a season-ending injury to Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua has seriously hurt Baylor on that part of the floor. This has led to some rough losses, most recently in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal against Oklahoma, who didn’t even make the NCAA Tournament. Still, this team paints one of basketball’s most gorgeous paintings when their guards are clicking on offense, and they’re just as suffocating defensively as last year’s championship team. They certainly have what it takes to run it back and cut down the nets once again.

Meet the Sleeper: #4 UCLA Bruins

Honorable Mentions: #8 North Carolina Tar Heels, #11 Virginia Tech Hokies

I know what you’re thinking. How can UCLA, the most successful program in the history of the sport, and a team that went to the Final Four last year be a sleeper? Well, everyone sort of just… stopped talking about them. The Bruins had all the hype in the world coming into this season after last year’s Cinderella run to the Final Four as an 11 seed and First Four team. But between some losses, injuries, and a COVID pause that lasted over a month, UCLA fell through the cracks of college basketball, especially with the emergence of Arizona in the PAC-12. But this is a team that can do real damage in this tournament, and I know this because I’ve seen it. UCLA returned all five starters from last year’s team, and although injuries have shaken them up all season long, they are healthy and hot right now, which is a winning combination in March. Guard Johnny Juzang still gets all the hype and the love, as he should, but other guards like Tyger Campbell, Jules Bernard, and Jaime Jaquez have been lights out to help UCLA reach this point. This team has the experience and the star power to make a deep run, and I truly believe that they’ll do just that. Between that and their favorable draw, UCLA seems geared up to wrap up some unfinished business.

Upset Waiting to Happen: #11 Virginia Tech over #6 Texas

Honorable Mentions: #12 Indiana over #5 Saint Mary’s, #10 San Francisco over #7 Murray State

In case you haven’t been paying attention, perhaps the hottest team in college basketball resides in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Hokies were a fringe bubble team heading into last week’s ACC Tournament, and all they did was run the table with vastly impressive wins over fellow NCAA Tournament teams in UNC, Notre Dame, and Duke to win the tournament title. Mike Young’s team of scrappy transfers features one of the hottest offenses you’ll see that can shoot from the perimeter and have their way inside. Players like Justyn Mutts, Hunter Cattoor, Darius Maddox, and Keve Aluma are remarkably dangerous when they’re clicking, and the Hokies can beat anyone in that circumstance. They can especially beat a Texas team that has underachieved all season long. Chris Beard’s team entered this season as a national title contender, and they haven’t lived up to that hype for a second. They treaded water all season long in the Big 12 and were bounced out of the conference tournament early. This immensely talented team simply refuses to live up to their potential, and I can think of no more poetic way for this disappointing season to end than with a first round exit.

Best Potential Games: #1 Baylor vs. #4 UCLA, #2 Kentucky vs. #3 Purdue

Honorable Mentions: #1 Baylor vs. #2 Kentucky, #2 Kentucky vs. #4 UCLA

Let’s just say that the second weekend in this region is going to be an absolute blast. Just look at the names! Baylor, the defending champs and 1 seed. Kentucky and UCLA are two blue bloods and some of the most successful programs in history. Purdue boasts one of the nation’s most talented rosters and always seems to make noise in March. Let’s have some fun.

A potential Baylor-UCLA Sweet 16 game would be a delight. It easily could have been last year’s title game matchup, if it weren’t for a certain Jalen Suggs shot. Both of these teams thrive off their guard play, and with some of the biggest names in the sport at those positions, this could be one of the most star-studded matchups of the tournament. I’d have to roll with UCLA in this one, simply because my gut tells me to. I love what they have with their experience, and I really want to see this team make a deep run after last year.

Kentucky-Purdue would be a different story. Instead of a clash of guards, the primary focus in this game would be on the frontcourt, with Oscar Tshiebwe of Kentucky going up against Trevion Williams and Zach Edey of Purdue. That’s not to say the little guys won’t get some spotlight as well, namely Purdue’s Jaden Ivey and Kentucky’s TyTy Washington. Simply put, this is a matchup with superstars all over the floor that would be a treat for us all to watch. I’d pick Kentucky in this game due to their dominance down low with Tshiebwe, and I have the utmost faith in them to go much further than just the Elite 8.

My Pick for New Orleans: #2 Kentucky Wildcats

Honorable Mentions: #3 Purdue Boilermakers, #4 UCLA Bruins

It’s no surprise that Kentucky is back in the spotlight at the NCAA Tournament. After missing last year’s dance entirely, the Wildcats are back with a furious vengeance. Head coach John Calipari is no stranger to insanely-talented rosters, and this is his best in several years. It all starts with forward Oscar Tshiebwe, a transfer from West Virginia who is perhaps the best player in college basketball. Tshiebwe averages 17 PPG and an unbelievable 15 RPG to go along with 2 SPG and 2 BPG. He is the heart of this team, and the single most dominant force in the sport. The Cats boast four other players who average double digits in scoring in TyTy Washington (13), Kellan Grady (12), Keion Brooks (11), and Sahvir Wheeler (10). Kentucky might just be college basketball’s most talented team with one of the best offenses in the nation, and I think that will carry them all the way to the Final Four. I just don’t think any other team in the East has what it takes to stop them. I like the Wildcats to beat UCLA in the Regional Final and get to New Orleans.

Full Round of 64 Picks:

#1 Baylor over #16 Norfolk State: A nice, easy way to start a title defense.

#8 North Carolina over #9 Marquette: The Tar Heels are honestly a spooky 8 seed. They have underachieved all season long, but if they get hot, then you’d better watch out. But when it comes to underachieving, look no further than Shaka Smart. Sorry, Golden Eagles.

#5 Saint Mary’s over #12 Indiana: The Hoosiers have had a hell of a run to get to this point. Led by star big man Trayce Jackson-Davis, their old-school basketball is immensely tough to beat. I think I’d pick Indiana against a more favorable opponent, but Saint Mary’s seemingly does what they do even better. Their elite defense should be enough to get them over the hump against a very good Indiana squad.

#4 UCLA over #13 Akron: Last year’s Final Four team from Westwood is ready to run it back with another deep run in 2022. They certainly have what it takes, and it starts here with what should be an easy win against a Zips team that admittedly made a nice run in the MAC Tournament to make the dance.

#11 Virginia Tech over #6 Texas: Against all odds, the hottest team in the nation in the last week might have been the Hokies. Mike Young and his group of transfers who followed him to Blacksburg ran the table in the ACC Tournament to leave no doubt and get to the dance. Now, they face a fledgling Texas team that has underachieved all season long. March seems to reward those who overachieve, and that’s all VT has been doing.

#3 Purdue over #14 Yale: The Boilermakers are the true wild card of this region. Boasting one of the nation’s most talented lineups, this team has what it takes to get to New Orleans. It just remains to be seen if they can live up to their potential. In any case, this matchup won’t be too much trouble for them.

#7 Murray State over #10 San Francisco: This is one of the more intriguing matchups of the first round between two of the best Mid-Majors all season long. The Racers boast a whopping 30 wins (tied for second-most in the nation), and the Dons have been a super fun team that proved their worth out of the WCC. This will be a fun one, but Murray State has simply been too dominant throughout the course of this season for me to pick against them.

#2 Kentucky over #15 Saint Peter’s: The Wildcats will get to the Final Four. It all starts here, in a game that might have the biggest point differential in the entire first round.

All stats taken from ESPN.

2022 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown: Midwest Region

The Midwest Region of the 2022 NCAA Tournament features a ton of uncertainty and questions, and is certainly destined for madness. Let’s break it down and preview how the Midwest will play out.

Cover photo taken from Evert Nelson, The Capital-Journal.

Welcome to the Madness. The NCAA Tournament is finally back in its full glory in 2022, and if you’re not more excited than ever, you’re just lying. Last year was certainly fun, but the tournament was a shell of its usual self, with virtually no fans and a bubble in Indianapolis from start till finish. Now, March Madness is back to full strength with a plethora of different locations, and fans filling the stands all across the country. This promises to be a glorious few weeks in college basketball. To preview the tournament, I’ll be breaking down the 2022 bracket region by region. This is the preview of the Midwest: a region with seemingly more questions than anything else.

Meet the 1 Seed: Kansas Jayhawks

Bill Self’s Jayhawks are back with a 1 seed after finishing the season strong and winning the Big 12 Tournament title over Texas Tech. This is Kansas’ first 1 seed since 2018 (although they would have gotten one in 2020), where they were beat by the eventual champion, Villanova. This is a bit of a different Kansas team, but they are more than capable thanks to a plethora of experience. After last year’s Round of 32 exit as a 3 seed, Kansas returned several starters, the most notable of which being guard Ochai Agbaji, one of the best players in college basetball. Agbaji is an athletic freak, scoring nearly 20 PPG and dropping jaws from start to finish in every game he plays. He will have to be the star that we all know he can be if Kansas is to go on a deep run this March. Other returning key pieces include guards Christian Braun and Dajuan Harris Jr., as well as forwards Jalen Wilson and David McCormack. Kansas wasn’t the most consistent team all season long, but they are hot when it counts most, and they are ready to go to their first Final Four in 4 years. This is a remarkably experienced group that can score at will in addition to slamming the door shut on defense. It will be a tall task for anyone in this field to stop them.

Meet the Sleeper: #5 Iowa Hawkeyes

Honorable Mentions: #7 USC Trojans, #8 San Diego State Aztecs

One year ago, Iowa was a 2 seed led by Luka Garza, a program legend and one of the sport’s best players in recent memory. They were bounced in the Round of 32 by 7th seeded Oregon in what was Garza’s final game, and nobody thought the Hawkeyes would be able to bounce right back up. But that is exactly what head coach Fran McCaffrey has done this season in Iowa City. Iowa got red hot when the calendar flipped over to March, running the table in the Big Ten Tournament to win the title and earn a 5 seed in the dance. This team runs on experience and offensive dominance, and they have an abundance of both. It starts with forward Keegan Murray, who has become one of the best players in America. Murray, who averages 24/9/2/1/2 on 55% shooting, has been an unstoppable force as of late, and has emerged as the kind of player that can fuel a deep run for a sleeper team a la Kemba Walker for UConn in 2011. His twin brother Kris is also a key contributor, pouring in 10 PPG. Other major factors for this Hawkeyes team include guard Jordan Bohannon, in his whopping sixth season, as well as the coach’s own son, guard Patrick McCaffrey. With all the experience in the world, one of the nation’s best offenses, and a player in Keegan Murray who can captivate the nation, everyone should be keeping their eyes on Iowa all tournament long.

Upset Waiting to Happen: #13 South Dakota State over #4 Providence

Honorable Mentions: #12 Richmond over #5 Iowa, #11 Iowa State over #6 LSU

To put it plainly, Providence might be the luckiest team in college basketball. In fact, they are the luckiest team in the sport according to KenPom, and it’s not even close. The Friars are 11-2 this season in games decided by five or fewer points, and that luck doesn’t seem to thrive in March. It certainly wasn’t on display in last week’s Big East Tournament Semifinal, where Creighton absolutely ambushed them in a near-30-point blowout. This is a talented team, led by guard Jared Bynum, and an awesome story with head coach Ed Cooley, but their recent form inspires little to no confidence. They simply cut it close way too many times against inferior competition, and they’ve just happened to get by all season long. Meanwhile, the Jackrabbits are as hot as anyone in the field. South Dakota State hasn’t lost in this calendar year, winning 30 games (tied with Murray State for the second most in the country behind Arizona’s 31) and earning a 13 seed in the dance. With a scorching offense led by guard Baylor Scheierman, who can do it all, the Jackrabbits are a team that nobody wants to face. Least of all a team fledgling as much as Providence. If you are going to pick a 13 over a 4 in your bracket, look no further than this one. You can thank me later.

Best Potential Games: #2 Auburn vs. #7 USC, #1 Kansas vs. #5 Iowa

Honorable Mentions: #3 Wisconsin vs. #7 USC, #3 Wisconsin vs. #6 LSU

The Midwest features so many teams with so many questions. It makes speculating some of these matchups very difficult, because I’m honestly not sure if we’ll even get them. I am confident that both of these matchups will take place, but I would not be shocked if one of these teams is sent home packing early. In the case of Auburn-USC, anyone who enjoys offense will love watching the Tigers and Trojans do battle. These are two of the most fun offenses to watch in all of college basketball. Auburn has one of the more star-studded lineups in America, led by forwards Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler as well as guards Wendell Green Jr. and Zep Jasper. They were one of the best teams in the country all year long, but ended the season on a whimper. USC has some stars of their own, namely forwards Drew Peterson and Isaiah Mobley. They’re a team that will certainly make a deep run if they play up to their potential. This game would be a blast, and I’d honestly have to roll with the Trojans to advance to the Sweet 16. They’ve just looked better as of late, and I think they match up well enough with the Tigers to get it done.

In the case of Kansas-Iowa, what more can I say? It’s the 1 seed against my sleeper team. It would be a delight to see Iowa’s offense take on Kansas’ defense. And honestly, I think Keegan Murray can lead the Hawkeyes to victory over Bill Self’s blue blood Jayhawks.

My Pick for New Orleans: #5 Iowa

Honorable Mentions: #3 Wisconsin Badgers, #7 USC Trojans

Why not them? You get my love for this team by now, and I’m riding them the whole way. I think they have the offensive prowess and a true star in Keegan Murray that can carry them all the way to NOLA. It’ll be a tough road, starting with their first game against Richmond. But this region seems to be destined for true madness, and amidst that chaos, I like the Hawkeyes’ chances. I have Iowa over Wisconsin in an all-Big Ten Regional Final to reach an improbable Final Four.

Full Round of 64 Picks:

#1 Kansas over #16 Texas Southern: Next.

#8 San Diego State over #9 Creighton: The Bluejays fought their way all the way to the Big East title game last Saturday at MSG, but I think the Aztecs’ elite defense will carry them to victory in this one.

#5 Iowa over #12 Richmond: This is one of the more under-the-radar, super fun games of the First Round. Richmond ran the table in the A10 Tournament to get to the dance, led by super seniors and stellar shooting. Going up against an Iowa team that won the Big Ten Tournament themselves that has plenty of star power will be a tall task, however. This will be a fun watch, but I don’t see an upset here.

#13 South Dakota State over #4 Providence: The Friars were one of the better stories of the 2021-22 season, but given their recent form and nature of flying by the seat of their pants, I cannot pick them here. But it’s not just their struggles. The Jackrabbits boast 30 wins, tied for the second most in the sport, and haven’t lost since December. This team is red hot and super fun, and who’s to say that they can’t win some hearts with a huge upset here?

#6 LSU over #11 Iowa State: Good for the Cyclones to reach the tournament after last year’s nightmare season. Unfortunately, LSU is a far better team, even without a head coach.

#3 Wisconsin over #14 Colgate: For the second consecutive year, the Raiders get a shot at 3 seed who wears red. Unfortunately for them, I see the same outcome here: a close-ish loss to a team destined to make a deep run in Wisconsin.

#7 USC over #10 Miami: The Trojans have one of the highest ceilings in college basketball. When they get hot, they can be unstoppable. But I don’t think they’ll need to reach that potential to get past a Miami team that’s nothing special.

#2 Auburn over #15 Jacksonville State: The Tigers have a ton of questions coming into this tournament, but they should at least get to the next round with ease. After all, they’ve gotten experience beating up on Gamecocks already this year.

All stats taken from ESPN.