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