NCAAM Sweet Sixteen & Elite Eight

NCAAM Sweet Sixteen & Elite Eight 

With the NCAAM tournament heading into Sweet 16 play later today, checkout our predictions for all the games this weekend and who I think will make it to the Final Four. In addition, click here (and see the image below) to see who the 5 best players have been in the tournament thus far! Happy Dancing!

Top 5 NCAAM tournament players heading into the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight
From Top Left to Bottom Right: Markquis Nowell (KSU), Johnell Davis (FAU), Adama Sangog (UConn), Davontae Davis (Arkansas), & Drew Timme (Gonzaga)

 

*Projected winners are in bold 

South Region- NCAAM Sweet Sixteen

1 Alabama v. 5 SDSU

With the Alabama Crimson Tide boasting impressive wins over the first weekend of the NCAA tournament, I believe that their superior perimeter play of Brandon Miller, Mark Sears, and Jahvon Quinerly, will be too overwhelming for the San Diego State Aztecs to overcome. Even with the caveat of the Aztecs being able to go 8 deep, I believe that their inability to create offense at times, along with their AST to TO ratio (1 to 1.08), will allow the Crimson Tide to turn them over, leading to a large amount of transition scoring for Alabama.

6 Creighton v. 15 Princeton

This matchup will come down to interior scoring, as both Princeton and Creighton have capable forwards in Tosan Evbuonwam and Ryan Kalkbrenner, who can control the paint with their scoring & rebounding. However the Blue jays shoot slightly better from the perimeter (36.0% from 3 PT range as oppose to 34.4% for Princeton) and have capable playmaking guards, who can score off the dribble such as Trey Alexander, Baylor Scheierman & Ryan Nembhard. Because of their personnel, I think Creighton will be able to outshoot Princeton in this contest.

South Region- NCAAM Elite Eight

1 Alabama v. 6 Creighton

Alabama presents not only perimeter defense but competent interior defense as well, as they average 44.4 REB per game as a team. In a game where the scoring and shot making ability of Creighton will be tested, I believe that Alabama will be able to control the pace of the game with their ability rebound as a team and score the basketball (they average 82.2 PPG), leading them to the Final Four as the South Region Champion.

South Region Champion

1 Alabama Crimson Tide 

 

Midwest Region- NCAAM Sweet Sixteen

1 Houston v. 5 Miami (FL)

The Houston Cougars have been one of the best teams in NCAAM basketball from start to finish this year due to their ability to defend at a high level (They average 8.3 SPG and 4.8 BPG) and take care of the basketball (1.7 to 1 AST to TO ratio). In addition with pro levels talents like Marcus Sasser, Jarace Walker and Jamal Shead leading the charge, I believe Miami may struggle to take care of the ball, even with offensively gifted players like Isaiah Wong & Jordan Miller at the helm. The Cougars suffocation defense will win them this game.

3 Xavier v. 2 Texas

The Longhorns have been able to use their experience and their balanced offensive attack to dominate in the Big 12 for the past 2-3 seasons. However the Xavier Musketeers come into this matchup being the better 3 PT shooting team, the higher scoring team and the team that takes care of the ball, more so than the Longhorns do. In addition the Musketeers have several shot creators like Souley Boum, Jack Nunge and Colby Jones, who will overwhelm the perimeter and interior defenders, Texas will have to offer.

Midwest Region- NCAAM Elite Eight

1 Houston v. 3 Xavier

In this potential matchup, I believe that the Cougars superior ability to create turnovers and score off of those turnovers will have the Xavier guards in flux for the majority of the game, leading to the Houston Cougars making it to the Final Four as the Midwest Region Champion.

Midwest Region Champion

1 Houston Cougars

 

East Region- NCAAM Sweet Sixteen

9 Florida Atlantic v. 4 Tennessee

With the Tennessee Volunteers sophomore guard Zakai Zeigler, out for the season with a Torn ACL, I believe the high powered offense of FAU ( they average 78.8 PPG on the season) led by the dynamic playmaking guard, Johnell Davis will be able to overcome a Tennessee team, who struggles to score the ball at times.

3 Kansas St. v. 7 Michigan St.

The scoring prowess of MSU’s Tyson Walker versus the playmaking of KSU’s Markquis Nowell, will make this matchup extremely exciting. Although the Spartans do not score the ball at a high rate (they average 70.2 PPG), I believe that they will be able to outlast the Wildcats due to their ability to take care of ball, and shoot the ball . In addition the depth and veteran leadership the Spartans possess (with players like AJ Hoggard, Malik Hall and Joey Hauser ) will ultimately push them past an exciting Kansas St team.

East Region- NCAAM Elite Eight

9 Florida Atlantic v. 7 Michigan St.

Michigan St’s experience and leadership, will allow them to take control of this game early. They will slow the game down with their ability to rebound and defend without fouling. This will cause FAU to force the issue on offense, leading to open court turnover and bad shooting. The Spartans will take advantage of FAU’s inexperience punch their ticket to the Final Four as the East Region Champions.

East Region Champion

7 Michigan St Spartans 

 

West Region- NCAAM Sweet Sixteen

8 Arkansas v. 4 UConn

The Arkansas Razorbacks have played well over the course of the NCAA tournament. However I believe the physicality the Huskies present will overwhelm them. Adama Sanogo has been the best player in the NCAAM tournament so far, and I don’t believe that the Razorbacks will have anyone who can stop him 1 on 1.

3 Gonzaga v. 2 UCLA

This matchup will pit the high scoring Zags against the well balanced Bruins. Although Jaime Jacquez Jr. is a dynamic scoring guard, the Bruins as a team will not be able to keep up with the high powered scoring the Zags will present. In addition Drew Timme has been the best scorer in this tournament thus far & I don’t think the Bruins have anyone capable to stopping him or Julian Strawther from scoring at will.

West Region- NCAAM Elite Eight

4 UConn v. 3 Gonzaga

Gonzaga has averaged the most points as a team in the NCAA tournament (87.5 PPG). However Adama Sanogo’s ability to control pace with his rebounding and scoring will force Gonzaga to rotate all game long. This will lead to open looks for guys like Jordan Hawkins and Tristen Newton. UConn will use its physicality and defensive prowess to advance to the Final Four as the West Region Champions.

West Region Champion

4 UConn Huskies