NCAA Tournament Picks: Minneapolis Region

Atlanta Region
Oakland Region
Washington Region
Minneapolis Region
Final Four

(picks in bold)

FIRST ROUND

1) Villanova vs. 16) Monmouth
Um yeah, I'm not quite that worried about Allan Ray's eye.

8) Arizona vs. 9) Wisconsin
I think Arizona is a good team led by Mustafa Shakur (great name) and Hassan Adams, but Wisconisn usually has success in the Tourney with Bo Ryan. Plus, I think Alando Tucker is the best player in this game, which is why I like the Badgers here.

5) Nevada vs. 12) Montana
Montana has a shot, but the Wolfpack are ready this year, with Nick Fazekas leading the way. But the biggest secret about Nevada is they are much deeper than just Fazekas. Marcellus Kemp, Mo Charlo, Ramon Sessions, and Co. are all very good players, which is why they'll get by Montana.

4) Boston College vs. 13) Pacific
A tough road for BC. They lose a hard-fought game Sunday, and then they have to fly over 2000 miles to play a game Thursday afternoon in the high altitude against a battle-tested Pacific team. But Craig Smith and Jared Dudley get it done here.

6) Oklahoma vs. 11) Wisconsin Milwaukee
I picked Oklahoma as a sleeper last year, so maybe I'm just bitter, but I don't like the makepu of their team. If Michael Neal and Terrell Everett aren't hitting outside shots, they are an average team. I think Wisconsin-Milwaukee is almost as good as last year, when they made it to the Sweet 16. I like them to pull off the semi-upset of Oklahoma.

3) Florida vs. 14) South Alabama
I've heard lots of upset talk about this game, but I think Florida is too talented to fall in round 1.

7) Georgetown vs. 10) Northern Iowa
Northern Iowa is the most accomplished MVC team in terms of who they've beaten btu they haven't been playing very well of late. Georgetown is a good team with a patient offense. If you haven't played it before they're tough to stop.

2) Ohio St. vs. 15) Davidson
Davidson is a nice little team, but the Buckeyes are too strong on both sides of the ball. They'll win this one easily.


SECOND ROUND

1) Villanova vs. 9) Wisconsin
The Badgers will try to slow the game down, and while they may succeed for a while, Villanova's guard are too good to slow down for the full 40 minutes. I can see Wisconsin hanging in it for a half, but not much longer.

4) Boston College vs. 5) Nevada
Like most of the 4/5 matchups, this is evenly matched between two good teams. But I don't think Nevada will be able to quite match up with BC inside, as they execute well enough for the win and a trip to the Sweet 16.

3) Florida vs. 11) Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Last year Wisconsin-Milwaukee was able to play off their round 1 upset of Alabama with another win over BC. This year, they won't get by the Gators, who are balanced and athletic.

2) Ohio St. vs. 7) Georgetown
The Buckyes are very good, but I think they got the toughest #7 in Georgetown, who I feel is a little underseeded. With Hibbert, Green, and Bowman, the Hoyas are big and athletic. They'll be able to frustrate the Buckeyes with their variation of the Princeton offense, or at least enough to eke out a win to advance to the Sweet 16.


SWEET SIXTEEN

1) Villanova vs. 4) Boston College
This could be the game of the tournament. Both teams are very talented, well coached, and they execute their game plans very well. Villanova likes to get out and run, drive, and shoot from the outside. Boston College is a little more methodical, and they pound it to Smith & Dudley. I think Sheridan, Fraser, Clark, and Cunningham will be able to slow Boston College's big men enough for Villanova guards to do their thing, and advance to the regional final.

3) Florida vs. 7) Georgetown
I like Joakim Noah and Al Horford down low, but I like Roy Hibbert and Jeff Green a little better. This one should be entertaining, but I think the Hoyas provide enough problems down low to sneak away with another win.


REGIONAL FINAL

1) Villanova vs. 7) Georgetown
Much the same scenario for Villanova as in their previous game against Boston College. And once again, I like te big boys for Villanova to do enough defensively to let the guards control the game, and propel Villanova into the Final Four.

REGIONAL CHAMPION: VILLANOVA