Top Seeds
(1) Kentucky
(2) Kansas
(3) Notre Dame
(4) Maryland
Elephant in the room.
At 34-0 heading into Friday, the Kentucky Wildcats are aiming to join an exclusive club of champions. Throughout its history, only 7 teams have won the NCAA tournament while finishing the season with an undefeated record. A feat still not accomplished since the 1976 Bobby Knight led, Indiana Hoosiers. The Hoosiers weren't even the only undefeated team in the Final Four that year as they were joined by a 31-0 Rutgers squad. Unfortunately for the Scarlet Knights and fans everywhere wanting to see a historic championship, Rutgers fell to eventual runner-up Michigan.
If Kentucky is to join the likes of the 76' Hoosiers, they'll need to go 6-0 on their road to Indy. Loaded with an embarrassment of riches in future 1st round talent, the Wildcats are the odds-on favourite to run the table, but that doesn't mean they won't be tested. On its path will be no shortage of capable teams attempting to end this great Kentucky run.
Teams like Cinci and Purdue can scrap with the best but both will be hard pressed to keep up with the athleticism and rotating bigs of Kentucky. The likelihood is Kentucky won't be pushed until a potential Sweet 16 game vs Maryland but even that may prove to be a breeze.
Not even a month removed from taking down the West bracket #1-seed Wisconsin in College Park, Maryland is led by its impressive backcourt combo of senior Dez Wells and freshmen Melo Trimble, who've combined for over 31.7 ppg on the season. Despite being a strong 4-seed, the Terps drew the unfortunate situation of having Kentucky as its top seed and will undoubtedly be at a severe disadvantage vs the towering Wildcats.
Following the Sweet 16, Kentucky could face either one of Kansas/Notre Dame/Wichita State, all of whom pose their own set of challenges, but for a team that has been beating its opponents by a margin of 21.1 pts per game, it's hard to go with anyone else in the region.
Dark horses to ride...
Notre Dame's ability to share the ball and come at you on the offensive end from different spots on the floor will make them a tough out for any opponent. With a star pg in Jerian Grant and an arsenal of 3 point shooters, the Irish have the ability to go off on any team in this bracket and take themselves all the way to a potential match up with Kentucky in the Elite Eight.
Player(s) you've likely never heard of...
6'11 F Myles Turner, Texas Longhorns
Unless you're a fan of the Longhorns or the Big 12, the likelihood is you've heard very little of the big man from Houston, Texas. Turner has posted relatively modest numbers (10.4 ppg & 6.4 rpg) during his frustratingly inconsistent freshmen season but don't let that fool you. Heading into the year, Turner was the #3 rated Centre in the class of 2015 and still projects as a potential lottery pick this June.
If Texas continues its shooting woes which have plagued them all season long, don't expect to see much of Turner. On the other hand, if the Longhorns can get it going early vs Butler and build off that momentum, they have the size and athleticism to pose a significant problems for teams. That could give Turner the opportunity to showcase his immense skills and potential, which he's shown glimpses of all year. Which version of Turner and his team decides to show up, will be a determining factor for how far they progress.
Cinderellas to "Swipe Right" On
I gotta tell ya. The thought of going with consensus first round upset pick, Buffalo out of the MAC is highly appealing. The Bulls are a scrappy team with a coach (Bobby Hurley) that was on this stage as a player quarterbacking Duke in the 1990's. Despite being to its first ever NCAA tournament, there is absolutely no way coach Hurley will allow the moment to get the best of his team. Unfortunately, according to my bracket, the Terapins of Maryland WILL get the best of them in the Round of 32.
That takes me to my Midwest Cinderella team, Wichita State.
At 28-4 and in the AP Top 25 the entire season, including stints in the Top-10, I was absolutely
I must admit the Sweet 16 game vs Notre Dame is where I have the Shockers exiting my bracket but it really is a pick 'em game. Although not as skilled as the previous two years, the Shockers have a loaded backcourt of Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker, and Tekele Cotton, as well as a proven track record in the tournament which more than suggests they have what it takes to go on a Cinderella type run and put a scare into the Wildcats in the Midwest.
Elite Eight Prediction
#1 Kentucky vs #3 Notre Dame
As exciting as it would be to see a Kentucky-Wichita State rematch. I just can't see the Shockers going through both #2 Kansas and #3 Notre Dame when overall, they aren't as talented as their teams from the previous two years.
Riding a 5-game win streak, with wins over Louisville, Duke and North Carolina on its run to an ACC Championship, Notre Dame has saved some of its best ball for the perfect time of the season. With an offense that knocks down 39% of its shots behind the arc, lead by an All-American caliber guard in Jerian Grant (still somehow one of the most greatly under-appreciated players in DI), the Fighting Irish have all the ingredients to make a Final Four appearance.
Unfortunately for them, if they can advance to the Elite Eight they will likely run into the juggernaut that is Kentucky. Notre Dame is very capable of giving Kentucky some serious problems due to their perimeter shooting and efficient offense. That said, the Wildcats are just too big, too deep and too strong defensively, to bow out before the Final Four.
Kentucky 76
Notre Dame 63
West Region
South Region
