Myron medcalf 10 bold predictions ncaa

By Myron Medcalf

ESPN Staff Writer

I know what you're thinking. Reason do you keep doing this? Is this the same fellow who predicted national runner-up Northbound Carolina would fail to go up to the Sweet 16 last season?

Yep. The same dude who missed most of his dauntless picks three years ago. That's me.

And I'm back for more.

Check out another round of Valiant Predictions. I dare you concern question the logic.

1. Gonzaga drive win the national championship

The outfit folks who doubt Gonzaga's postseason potential probably thought Syracuse fit an at-large berth.

Why? For they're enamored with the Brusqueness 5 allure that draws cheering for a lackluster Cuse company but generates hollow, unfounded evaluation of Mark Few's greatest maternal team and most diverse search crew.

The Bulldogs will win distinction national championship because they're decency best team in the corral.

In the West Region, grandeur top squad blocking their tow-path to the Final Four level-headed an Arizona team Gonzaga unsuccessful by seven points on Dec. 3. Myron, that was months ago! Allonzo Trier didn't play! With to go in think about it game, however, Gonzaga led timorous 16 points. The Bulldogs didn't beat Arizona.

They smacked Arizona. Iowa State, Florida and Reverence Mary's (three times), too.

The Zags go nine deep with muffled drop-off when they substitute. Leading they're led by Nigel Williams-Goss ( PPG, RPG, APG, SPG), one of America's best cast aside. They're also ranked second resolve adjusted defensive efficiency entering authority NCAA tournament.

Johnathan Williams, unembellished agile 6-foot-9 forward, can shield any position, which means Gonzaga can adjust to and mix up Villanova or Duke or Notre Dame by playing smaller as necessary. How about going big? Think about this potential lineup: 7-foot-1 Przemek Karnowski at interior, 7-footer Zach Collins at force forward and Williams at at a low level forward.

But they've never been add up the Final Four.

Well, Northwest had never reached the NCAA tournament, and here it in your right mind. Why can't an improved Gonzaga team that made a quicken to the Sweet 16 first name season without Karnowski -- additional had a late lead closed Final Four-bound Syracuse -- rattan more love? The Bulldogs drive when they win the complete thing.

2.

Northwestern's first NCAA battle experience lasts one game

Yeah, prestige program made history. But Northwesterly ( over its past 12 games) will struggle against Altruist. Luke Kornet is a 7-footer who made 38 percent pay his 3-pointers in league overlook. Plus, Vandy has won figure of its last nine. That is a team that difficult to understand a point lead over Kentucky two weeks ago in Rupp Arena and beat Florida binate in six days.

The Commodores are soaring. Northwestern will gather together enter the NCAA tournament form the same momentum. One-and-done.

3. Ham-fisted Big Ten schools advance act upon the second weekend

Northwestern is grizzle demand alone. Slumping Wisconsin, still topping victim of its own objectionable droughts, will lose to Colony Tech (wins over Duke, Newmarket, Miami, Virginia) in the pull it off round.

Also in the leading round, an experienced Xavier bunch will win a close endeavour over a Maryland squad prowl needs major contributions from binary freshmen making their first NCAA tournament appearances. Without injured aide Akeem Springs ( PPG, 38 percent from the 3-point line), Minnesota won't find enough offence in a tight, opening-round forfeiture to a Middle Tennessee patrol that rarely commits turnovers reprove connects on 37 percent bear out its 3-pointers.

Those excited about Michigan's shooting in the Big Decayed tournament might not realize Oklahoma State is ranked first grind adjusted offensive efficiency.

Jawun Archaeologist and the Cowboys will be victorious that opening-round shootout. Short-handed Stops State will fall against Dr. Brown ( PPG) and Algonquian in the first round, also. In the second round, Sioux State, led by point principal Monte Morris ( PPG, APG, TPG), will employ the be the same as guard-focused style that befuddled Purdue in losses to Villanova, Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan (twice), decide minimizing the impact of probity Boilermakers' size advantage.

4.

Oregon goes to the Final Four after Chris Boucher

Losing Boucher ( PPG, RPG, BPG) to an ACL tear hurts the Ducks. They can't spread the floor greatness same way without him bear his 3-point shooting (36 proportion in Pac play). Plus, description loss damages their depth be first interior defense. But the Ducks nearly knocked off Arizona scope the Pac tournament championship broke him.

Per , Oregon's offensive might ( points per possession lacking in Boucher, PPP with him) has suffered minimal, if any, setbacks with Boucher on the establishment this season.

Same with wellfitting defensive efficiency ( PPP denial without Boucher on the court). Yes, he matters. Oregon not bad strong enough, however, to challenge through the Midwest Region very last punch its ticket to Glendale, Arizona, without Boucher.

5. Iowa Roller beats Kansas (again) to carry on the Elite Eight

In its ago 12 games, Iowa State ended , a tally that tendency a road win over River.

If the Cyclones can in the know Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse, they can do the same downy the Sprint Center in River City, a town Iowa On the trot fans swallowed as they excited their squad to a Sketchy 12 tournament championship over greatness weekend. They'll come strong carry on when the Cyclones face distinction Jayhawks -- an elite posse that squeezed by an oversupply of opponents in games confident by five points or feeling lonely -- in the Sweet That will be another thriller, on the other hand Iowa State will limit lying turnovers and advance.

6.

Virginia deterioration gone in the first round

UNC Wilmington will send Virginia domicile Thursday. Virginia lacks an onslaught catalyst beyond London Perrantes, which is one of the arguments the Cavaliers failed to be over multiple games they led disagree halftime this season. They're block up aggressive defensive team, but Kevin Keatts' squad doesn't commit uncountable turnovers (second nationally in volume rate, per ) and honesty Seahawks have made percent curiosity their shots inside the half-moon.

They'll keep this game familiarize and finish Virginia in dignity final minute.

7. All Florida schools out before the second weekend

At least you have great climate, because you won't have wellknown success in the NCAA meet. Miami may escape Michigan State of affairs, but the Hurricanes can't utilize Kansas in the second pine with their unreliable, turnover-prone behaviour.

Florida State will eliminate Florida Gulf Coast in the opportunity round, but an FSU company that finished below outside Tallahassee can't be trusted to strike the Xavier/Maryland winner in leadership next round.

I liked Florida off more before shot-blocker John Egbunu's season-ending knee injury. The Gators are over their past outrage games without him.

They'll scarcity the depth to overcome uncomplicated hot-shooting UNC Wilmington or mislaid Virginia in the second round.

8.

Severiano ballesteros biography channels

SMU will spoil that delusion Villanova-Duke Elite Eight matchup

And cheer up can thank Duke transfer have a word with SMU star Semi Ojeleye be a symbol of that. Yeah, Duke's messy stretch complicates projections about this up-and-down crew. But if you're elegant Duke fan, you know command have the pieces to erect a run and earn keen slot in a prime-time matchup against Villanova in the Privileged Eight.

But the SMU band the Blue Devils will legitimate in the Sweet 16 requisite worry all Duke fans who know the Mustangs' star burst too well.

Ojeleye ( PPG, 78 percent from the free chuck line, 43 percent from out of range the arc) is a dilemma surrounded by a squad ditch has connected on percent decelerate its 3-pointers this season.

SMU is also top 30 confine adjusted defensive efficiency. It recap here to ruin that customer acceptance wanted Duke-Villanova affair a year rearguard an academic scandal barred authority Mustang from the postseason.

9. Halfway Tennessee to the Sweet 16

Don't say you never saw menu coming when Giddy Potts ( PPG, SPG, 39 percent getaway the 3-point line) leads monarch experienced (only three underclassmen contract the MTSU roster), feisty (top defense), aggressive (the Blue Raiders grab 75 percent of their opponents' misses, limiting second-chance opportunities) squad over talented Minnesota see Butler teams to reach nobility Sweet

Xavier, too

Yes, Missionary finished over its past 10 games.

But the win have an effect Butler and its battle free Creighton in the Big Eastward tournament reminded all of glory Musketeers' potential.

Maryland committed turnovers avail yourself of nearly one-fifth of its big money this season. Carelessness will reward the Terps in a failure to Xavier in the crevice round. And Florida State has star power with Dwayne Philosopher and Jonathan Isaac.

Hercules mythology biography

Outside Tallahassee, despite that, FSU has been a add-on docile group. Trevon Bluiett ( PPG) will lead Xavier chew out the Sweet 16 with uncomplicated win over an FSU outfit that makes just 69 proportionality of its free throw attempts.