By Andrew Mayor ’17
As we near March, College Basketball’s regular season is winding down. Teams are wrapping up their conference schedules, and the true contenders are beginning to distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack. So, as you prepare to make your attempt at the first-ever perfect March Madness bracket, here are the teams that I think will emerge into the Sweet 16 based on Joe Lunardi’s most recent projection of the tournament field.
Midwest Bracket
- (1) Kansas vs. (4) Kentucky
- (2) Miami vs. (6) Baylor
West Bracket
- (1) North Carolina vs. (5) Texas A&M
- (2) Michigan State vs. (6) Texas
South Bracket
- (1) Oklahoma vs. (5) Utah
- (3) Maryland vs. (10) Pittsburgh
East Bracket
- (1) Villanova vs. (5) Purdue
- (2) Virginia vs. (3) West Virginia
Final Four
Kansas– Bill Self’s team is the best team in the country. With a record of 25-4, Kansas has dominated their way to their 12th straight Big 12 Title. This experienced team of athletic finishers and perimeter scorers will not only make it to the final four, but they’ll also win this year’s National Championship.
Michigan State– The Spartans will emerge out of the West bracket this year. With a knack for coming alive in the tournament, the Spartans will follow the lead of Wooden Award Finalist Denzel Valentine and will use their elite shooting and physical defense to slip into the Final Four for the second straight year.
Utah– My sleeper pick for the Final Four is Utah. In a weak projected South bracket, Utah has the depth and experience to make it to Houston. Utah should be a team to watch for the remainder of the season, and if they continue to play as they have in the last few weeks, they are a real contender.
Virginia– Virginia will dominate the East Bracket en route to the championship game where they will lose to Kansas. The Cavaliers play a slow-paced game that is as hard to stop as it is boring to watch. Virginia’s extremely efficient offense combined with their overwhelming defense will surely take them deep into March.