South Region Predictions
The South is a tough region, but I think there are only four teams has a legit shot to make it to the Final Four. However, there are a couple of sleepers in the region that may do some damage, but can anybody beat red-hot Florida, who ended the season on fire and is the #1 team in the nation?[ad-4468020]
The Elite (odds are to win South Region)
Florida +110 – Hey, big shock that the Florida Gators have the top seed in the region, as they are not only the #1 team in the nation, but they have won 26 straight games and are coming off winning the SEC tournament. They have a GREAT defense that ranks 3rd in the nation and their only losses this season have come against the ranked teams of Wisconsin and UCONN.
Oh yeah, and they beat Kansas earlier this season.
Kansas +300 – I am putting Kansas in the elite category even though they lost 3 of their last 6 games of the season and were upset losing to Iowa State in the Big 12 conference tournament.
While they may have the best freshman in the nation in Andrew Wiggins another star freshman in Joel Embiid is injured and is out, at least, the first 2 games of the tourney.
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Without Embiid in the lineup the Jayhawks struggled on defense to end the season, but the squad is still loaded led by Wiggins, who has scored 22, 30, and 41 points in his last 3 games respectively.
The Contenders
Syracuse +700 – The Orange blew a chance to get a top seed in the Big Dance, as they flamed out at the end of the season losing 5 of their last 7 games. However, if Cuse can play like they did before their late season swoon they have a shot in the South. CJ Fair and Tyler Ennis are a great FW/G duo and they do have a defense that ranks 9th in the nation.
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UCLA +850 – UCLA is a high scoring team that ranks 12th in the nation in ppg and they come into the Big Dance after winning the Pac 12 conference tournament.
The Bruins won 5 of their last 6 games this season, including beating Arizona in the conference tournament final, and G Jordan Adams and G/FW Kyle Anderson can create match up problems with their size.
Sleepers
New Mexico +2200 – The Lobos are a big sleeper at +2200 and they will likely have to play Kansas for the right to get to the Sweet 16. However, UNM won the MWC tournament and they have won 9 of their last 10 games.
Pittsburgh +2200 – Pitt comes into the Big Dance playing well knocking off a ranked North Carolina team and almost beating Virginia in the semifinals of the ACC tournament.
Still, they will likely have to beat Florida to get to the Sweet 16.
5 Predictions
- Dayton will beat Ohio State in a big upset in the opening round
- Kansas will go deep the region, but not make the Final 4.
- Florida will be tested by Pitt and UCLA, but will win the region.
- Joel Embiid will come back for Kansas, who will meet Florida in the Elite 8.
- Dayton and Pitt will be the only lower seeds to win opening round games.
