At first, when you read this it doesn’t right. How can adding a top 5 player in the NBA for Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut be a mistake? Ill tell you why.  When adding Kevin Durant it seemed like a no brainer. But it took away the shots and chemistry and swagger and depth from a 73 win team that was one shot away from being back to back champs. They breezed through the regular season thus far. But then Durant got hurt, raising a lot of concerns. Steph was struggling and the warriors were losing their grasp on the number one seed…

But then they got it back. Steph has been the Steph we have grown to love over the years. Draymond and Klay are playing their best ball of the year and their bench players are finally getting shots and playing well. They are having fun again. Seeing how well they are playing, 9 straight wins by the way, brings up the question that fans asked before the year. Was it a mistake and why did they dismantle a 73 win team and add chemistry issues and a lack of depth. If they don’t win the title this year, I believe the Warriors would have made a mistake. If they win, none of this matters. But it’s just my eye, but their is a confidence and swagger that they have without Durant because they seem to all get involved and don’t have a question of whose the alphadog….

Should Cavs Fans be panicking?

Not panicking, but they should definitely be concerned. The concern is the lack of effort on  the defensive end. It feels like the Cavs are on cruise control until the playoffs, but their laziness might cost them a one seed and even more. They are assuming they can just turn on a switch and just play at a playoff level. But if they don’t snap out of their funk, they could be the first lebron led team since 2010 to not make the finals.

1.   1) Kansas vs 16) NC Central/UC Davis: Guards win in March. No one has better Guards then Kansas. National player of the year to be Frank Mason, Outside shooter Devonte Graham and top 5 pick Josh Jackson makes this team scary good. Good luck to whoever wins the play in game. Rock Chalk.
2. 2) Louisville vs 15) Jacksonville State: Not saying the upset is happening, but be aware. Jacksonville state (which is in Alabama not Florida) got hot and won their tourney. When teams do that, upsets tend to happen. Plus I’m not a louisville guy. Love their defense and length, but their offense becomes stagnant at times and they don’t have a true go to guy.
3. 3) Oregon vs 14) Iona: This game will be Iona. Iona plays an Outscore the opponent approach instead of playing defense. Oregon is more skilled, more disciplined, and more talented. Look for Iona to keep it close for a half and then Oregon pull away.
4.  4) Purdue vs 13) Vermont: Was thinking about an upset. But then it hit me. Purdue has two seven footers including Swanigan, an NBA first round pick. Vermont’s tallest starter is 6’8. Give me Purdue.
5. 5) Iowa State vs 12) Nevada: Nevada is the best 12 seed. They have two NBA Players. Too bad they have to play a red hot Iowa State team who is basically Nevada on steroids. Nevada might win but have to go with the cyclones here.
6. 6) Creighton vs 11) Rhode Island: Creighton was an elite eight caliber team until their heart and soul, Mo Watson went down with a torn ACL. Now they are a shell of the team they were. Rhode Island, on the other hand, is trending upward. Rhode Island will win and win with ease.
7. 7) Michigan vs 10) Oklahoma State: This was the hardest game for me to pick. Michigan is red hot. But I have been on Oklahoma State all year and just have a gut feeling about them. Both these teams can score with anyone. Both have stud point guards. At the end of the day, Michigan is coming off 4 games in 4 days and might be tired. Gut feeling here, Oklahoma State in a shootout.
8. 8) Miami vs 9) Michigan State: Hard to go against Tom Izzo, especially in March, but I have to pick Miami. They guard you man. Their guards are in your grill and will give Michigan State’s young guards fits. Miami in a defensive struggle.

ROUND OF 32

1. 1) Kansas vs 8) Miami: Miami is a tough matchup for Kansas. They are great defensively and have great guards. But I trust Frank Mason over whoever is on the Miami roster. Kansas cruises to the sweet 16.
2. 2) Louisville vs 10) Oklahoma State: Louisville is kind of the worst possible matchup for Oklahoma State. Ok State plays smaller and are full of shooters, while Louisville shuts down offenses and has length for days. Give me Louisville in a close game where they pull away late.
3. 3) Oregon vs 11) Rhode Island: I think the fatigue will set in against Oregon. They had to play extra games and give their all just to make the tourney. They got by Creighton, but Oregon is to skilled and good defensively and Dillion Brooks would give them fits. Oregon Advances.
4. 4)Purdue vs 5) Iowa state: Swanigan would give Iowa State nightmares, but what’s even more scary is potential mismatches. Plus, who is going to guard Monte Morris? Iowa State advances

SWEET 16

1. 1) Kansas vs 5) Iowa State: Split the season series, and Iowa State has given them troubles all year. Burton and Morris were unstoppable against them when they won at phog. But I keep going back to one thing. Guards win in March. It’s close, but Frank Mason beats out Morris. KU wins a squeaker and goes off to the Elite eight.
2. 2) Louisville vs 3) Oregon: This one is tough. If Boucher didn’t get hurt, this would be Oregon and I wouldn’t think twice. But the length and size would bother them. On the other hand, in March, I favor teams that have that go-to-guy. Donovan Mitchell is a great player don’t get me wrong, but he isn’t a guy you give the ball too and say “go get a bucket.” Oregon has that guy. Dillion Brooks is that guy. Oregon Advances.

ELITE EIGHT

1. 1) Kansas vs 3) Oregon: Great game between two greats teams. Mason. Brooks. Jackson. So many great players in this scenerio. But the thing is Kansas has a lottery pick. Oregon does not. When it is that close, small factors like that play a deciding factor. Kansas advances to the final four.

KANSAS

1. Villanova vs 16.  MT.ST.Marys/N.Orleans: This is not the year to pick against a 1 seed. Honestly, I can’t picture a year where a 1-seed falls to a 16 seed. It has never happened and probably never will. Plus, this nova team is veteran led and has a bunch of college stars. Experience, Skill, and toughness will have them blowing by to the second round.
2. Duke vs 15. Troy: Even though Duke is a two seed, they have a Michigan State type of feel from last year. Even though they are the two seed, they are the prohibited favorite. They just won the ACC tournament after beating Lousiville, UNC, and Notre Dame. With Kennard, Allen, and Tatum all playing their best at the right time, look for Duke to Swarm Troy.
3. Baylor vs 14 New Mexico St: The aggies of New mexico St could really give Baylor a fight. I’m not a big Baylor believer, as they have lost 5 of their last 7 and seemed to peak in November. When that happens, I get nervous. Not going to pick the upset but watch out for it.
4. Florida vs 13 East Tennessee st: Another upset that is very possible but I’m not going to pick it. I like Florida, even though they lost their shot blocker, because they are very balanced. Picking Florida, hesitantly.
5. Virginia vs UNC Wilmington: UPSET!!! UNC Wilmington pushed Duke to the end last year and are playing a Virginia team that I 1) Don’t trust because of late season struggles and 2) Play slow while UNC Wilmington are athletes who push the ball. Take UNC Wilmington.
6. SMU vs 11) USC/Providence: SMU has been criminally underrated and has won 16 straight games. Teams do not want to play them. Whoever wins the play in game, they will roll through them.
7. South Carolina vs 10) Marquette: Talk about opposites playing clashing. South Carolina is a defensive minded team that likes to grind out games while Marquette is a three point heavy, not much defensive type of game. Have a feeling about Marquette and have pretty much no confidence in SC.
8. Wisconsin vs 9) Virginia Tech: What a first round matchup. Wisconsin is a team, even through the struggles, that was criminally under-seeded. Virginia Tech has been tough all year and can shoot their way into and out of games. Experience and Post Magician Ethan Happ, along with clutch Guard Bronson Koenig will have Wisconsin grind out a close one.

ROUND OF 32

1. Villanova vs 8) Wisconsin: Tough Matchup for the defending champs. Nova has experience and great guard play, but a lack of depth and size is where they can be vulnerable. Ethan Happ would have a field day, but the experience and Josh hart would will their way past a dangerous Wisconsin team.
2. Duke vs 10) Marquette: Marquette has the shooting to stay with Duke for a half, but when it comes down the athletes and skill, Duke blows them out of the water. While Marquette can score, but how are they going to even remotely contain Tatum or Kennard. Duke wins by 10+
3. Baylor vs 6) SMU: A very good season for Baylor comes to an end. SMU has been consistent all year on offense and defense. Semi Ojeleye is a stud, and they play both offense and defense and have been trending up while Baylor has been trending down. Baylor also has weaker guard play and are careless with the ball. SMU Advances.
4. Florida vs 12 UNC Wilmington: This is my thing with upsets. After the first weekend, unless you were syracuse or Gonzaga last year where you are a big brand name who has played legit teams all year, they seem to lose after the first game. Give me Florida

SWEET 16

1. Villanova vs 4) Florida: Not a big Florida guy and it feels like they are getting here by default. It ends here, as Nova is on a whole other level in terms of offensive ability and they will simply outscore Florida.
2. Duke vs 6) SMU: SMU has had a spectacular year, considering they only have 7 scholarship players. But Duke has 7 MCDONALDS PLAYERS. Kennard will be a mismatch nightmare and win a close one.

ELITE EIGHT

1. Villanova vs 2) Duke: This one is really tough for me. It is the toughest choice in college basketball now. Do you go with the really good college team with experience and skill or the more talented athletic team. I have to lean towards the talent. Duke has a higher ceiling, and with how well Tatum and Kennard are playing, it seems like they are impossible to stop and will barely edge the reigning champs and represent the east in the Final Four

DUKE