While the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament officially began Tuesday with two play-in games, the maddening part of March Madness begins today as the round of 64 tips off and college basketball fans watch their brackets slowly crumble after each upset. Three professors, two basketball players, and one basketball coach try to predict who will cut down the nets on April 6 in Indianapolis.
Kyle Cooper
Final Four: Kentucky vs. Arizona, Virginia vs. Duke
Champion: Kentucky
“Picking against Kentucky would be great and probably give my bracket a better chance of actually winning since it’s such a popular pick, but it’s hard to pick against a team as dominant as Kentucky has been all season. Arizona is another really solid all around team with a pretty good defense and what I think is a pretty balanced scoring attack. Virginia struggled a little bit at the end of the season with a loss at Louisville and losing to UNC in the ACC tournament, but they have such a good defense and their road isn’t too difficult in my opinion. Duke lost to a really good Notre Dame team in the ACC Semifinals, but I’m counting on them to make a run with their offense. With so many scoring options like Tyus Jones, Quinn Cook, Jahlil Okafor, and Justise Winslow, I’m counting on them to outscore opponents in their region.”
Dr. Justin Jackson
Final Four: Kentucky vs. Wisconsin, Oklahoma vs. Iowa State
Champion: Kentucky
“Kentucky has been dominant. I think Wisconsin (and maybe Arizona) is the only team that can match defensive intensity with Kentucky. They also have size. At the end of the day, however, Kentucky is too long, too fast, and too deep. Iowa State could be that team of just sheer frenzy and excitement, and yet be totally calm about it all. I’d like to see them go down to Kentucky by 50 at the half and then come back to win it.”
Brian McCauley
Final Four: Kentucky vs. Wisconsin, Virginia vs. Iowa State
Champion: Kentucky
“Kentucky is the easy pick. I’m a Wisconsin Homer. Virginia because they are great defensively. Iowa State because I just don’t want to see Duke.”
Dr. Samuel Webster
Final Four: Kentucky vs. Arizona, Villanova vs. Iowa State
Champion: Villanova
“My sister and I both graduated from Villanova. My mother has taught statistics at Villanova for 30 years. My family has had season tickets for 20 years. Therefore, Villanova has to win the national championship this year.”
Zach Miller
Final Four: Kentucky vs. Arizona, Virginia vs. Duke
Champion: Kentucky
“I’m biased toward Arizona because I love their point guard T.J. McConnell who is a great passer, but I think Kentucky is too much. I like Duke’s backcourt which I think can carry them through the tournament but I just don’t see anyone beating Kentucky because they are too good and too deep, and I think Calipari is a much better coach than he is credited for.”
Dr. Samuel Negus
Final Four: Kentucky vs. Wisconsin, Villanova vs. Iowa State
Champion: Villanova
“I have Villanova, who have been consistently in the top six all year and absolutely ran away with the Big East. Villanova’s teams always have great shooting guards and busy hands. They’ll generate turnovers and convert them to points. That will win you a lot of games in the tourney. I have Villanova winning it all, primarily for the reason that I absolutely refuse to pick Kentucky. I don’t care how good they are, I don’t want any incentive to root for the evil turds.”