NCAA Tournament Upset Predictions
Posted by Jack Jones - Google+
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The NCAA Tournament bracket has been set. Over the next few days, millions of people will be filling out their brackets to try and win several contests and office pools.. If you have ever filled out a bracket, you know that spotting upsets is one of the biggest keys to winning these bracket contests.
I’m going to go through and pick out my favorite upsets in each round of the NCAA Tournament. Without further ado, these are the spots where I feel you should take a chance on a higher seed beating a lower seed.
Round of 64 Upsets
Midwest Region - No. 9 Missouri beats No. 8 Colorado State and No. 10 Cincinnati defeats No. 7 Creighton. I just believe that both Missouri and Cincinnati played much tougher schedules throughout the year. Colorado State and Creighton played in much weaker conferences.
West Region - No. 10 Iowa State defeats No. 7 Notre Dame. The Cyclones are one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament with their ability to spread out opponents and knock down the 3-ball. For one game at least, I look for Iowa State to be knocking down its shots.
South Region – No. 10 Oklahoma defeats No. 7 San Diego State. This is another case where I believe the Sooners played the tougher schedule, therefore will be more battle-tested. This is also a veteran team led by seniors.
East Region – No. 14 Davidson defeats No. 3 Marquette and No. 10 Colorado tops No. 7 Illinois. The Golden Eagles are the most vulnerable of the top 16 teams (1-4 seeds) in the tournament. They catch a hot Davidson team that will pull off the biggest upset of the opening round. Illinois is one of the most inconsistent teams in the big dance and should not be a No. 7 seed because of it.
Round of 32 Upsets
Midwest Region – No. 6 Memphis defeats No. 3 Michigan State. The Tigers are the most athletic team in the tournament, and that athleticism will give the Spartans fits.
Sweet 16 Upsets
Midwest Region – No. 4 Saint Louis defeats No. 1 Louisville. The Billikens have been underrated all year. They’ll knock off the #1 overall seed in the Sweet 16.
South Region – No. 3 Florida defeats No. 2 Georgetown. The Gators are the best 3-16 seed in the entire tournament. They prove it with a Final Four run.
East Region – No. 4 Syracuse defeats No. 1 Indiana. The Orange, along with Saint Louis, are the two best 4-16 seeds in the tournament. Syracuse is great inside and out and fully capable of making a deep run.
Elite 8 Upsets
Midwest Region – No. 4 Saint Louis defeats No. 2 Duke. The Billikens pull off another stunner in the Elite 8 while continuing to play for head coach Rick Majerus, who passed away in December.
South Region – No. 3 Florida defeats No. 1 Kansas. The Gators prevent the Jayhawks from a second straight trip to the Final Four with an upset in the Elite 8.
