If your brackets look like mine, maybe you’d like a 2nd chance at picking the winners as well.
Overall some of my picks were correct in my one and only bracket. I picked 13th seed Furman over Virginia. I had San Diego State, Creighton, Miami, Gonzaga, Houston, Xavier, UConn, Tennessee, and Michigan State in the Sweet 16. Princeton destroyed my brackets on day one bouncing and Arizona team I thought would make it to the Final 4. Otherwise, it’s been pretty respectable so far.
Final Four
Why not get wild in a year of parity? I love Houston and the way they play, but Sasser isn’t 100% and I’ve loved Miami all year as a sleeper. They have their own health issues. If Houston can make it to the Final 4 in Houston they have to be the favorite on home turf. This is the NCAA tournament though and who doesn’t like a good upset pick? I’m going with one.
5 Miami
I think San Diego State gets past Alabama in a battle of the defense-oriented team. Alabama is the best team in the country by the metrics but they are so dependent on the three point shot.. If it’s not San Diego State I could see it let them down at some point. They take 30 a game and only hit 34%. It’s not rock solid. They also have one of the youngest teams in the age of Covid super seniors everywhere. It hasn’t mattered all year, but in this setting I think it could. I’m going San Diego State as the 2nd team to make the final 4.
5 San Diego State
I don’t feel great about any of the teams in the East. I think Tennessee, Kansas State, or Michigan State could make the Final 4. I had Kentucky in my only bracket. Izzo is the best coach, Kansas State has the best talent probably, and Tennessee has the easier path to the Elite 8. I’ll go with Tennessee who has the best mix of proven coaching and talent, probably. Rick Barnes is due for another Final 4 even if they are dealing with some injuries. It’s a deep talented team.
4 Tennessee
The West is where it is at. I picked Gonzaga to win the tournament in my original bracket and I’m sticking to it. Realistically any of these teams could win. I just think Mark Few is due a championship. I thought in the preseason they were the best team in the country so why not now. It’s time they get over the hump. If they can’t do it whoever comes out of the West would be my favorite. I think UConn is playing the best of anyone and would be the next most likely to come out of the West.. If Gonzaga isn’t there UConn would be my favorite to win it all, not just make the final 4. The West is the toughest IMO.
