March Madness prediction: Tennessee can take out Arizona in South Region

Tennessee is coming off of an SEC Event victory.
AP

The South Area is the Area of Dying. There are minefields in all places. A two-seed in Villanova coming off a Massive East Event crown. A 3-seed in Tennessee which ought to’ve been a No. 2. 4- and five-seeds in Illinois and Houston, respectively, that may knock off No. 1 Arizona within the Candy 16. A sixth seed in Colorado State that manhandled at-large groups Creighton and St. Mary’s, and a No. 7 in Ohio State that limped to the end line, however has all the power to make main noise. That’s, in fact, provided that the Buckeyes can get previous Loyola Chicago, the Tenth-seed recognized for making March runs.

Bracket Buster: No. 10 Loyola Chicago

Regardless of the departure of coach Porter Moser to Oklahoma, the Ramblers remained an elite defensive crew beneath his alternative, Drew Valentine — they're ranked twenty second in effectivity — and can give Villanova bother within the second spherical.

Loyola Chicago might doubtlessly give Villanova some competitors within the second spherical of March Insanity.

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The Ohio State Buckeyes have an opportunity to essentially shake issues up this 12 months in March Insanity.

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First-Spherical Upset Watch

No. 13 Chattanooga over No. 4 Illinois

The Illini will not be taking part in their finest basketball getting into the match, 4-3 of their final seven video games, and the wins have all been slim victories. Chattanooga could also be feeling like a crew of future, after David Jean-Baptiste’s prayer was answered within the Southern Convention title recreation, and former Kansas ahead Silvio De Sousa might be able to no less than decelerate Kofi Cockburn inside.

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Finest First-Spherical Matchup

No. 5 Houston vs. No. 12 UAB

The Cougars have been achieved a disservice by the committee, not solely with the seed, however their opponent. UAB, led by electrical Port Washington, N.Y., guard Jordan Walker, is harmful. The Blazers in all probability don’t have sufficient to win, however they’ll make Houston sweat, particularly if they'll pace up the sport.

Unsung Participant: F Fabian White Jr., Houston

The Cougars didn’t take a step again regardless of crushing accidents to leading-scorer Marcus Sasser and key position participant Tramon Mack, partly as a result of this bruising 6-foot-8 senior improved throughout the board, growing his 3-point shot whereas remaining a bodily presence within the paint.

Participant to look at: G Collin Gillespie, Villanova

G Collin Gillespie has received the Massive East Participant of the Yr and Most Excellent Participant.

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The Massive East Participant of the Yr and Most Excellent Participant of the convention’s match will beat you together with his jumper, he’ll beat you together with his imaginative and prescient, he’ll beat you within the publish. The fifth-year senior will beat you in so many various methods, however the backside line is he'll discover a method to beat you. No one embodies Villanova higher.

The Publish’s Decide: Tennessee

Arizona is a classy nationwide championship choose. Villanova has championship muscle reminiscence. However Tennessee, which has knocked off Closing 4 contenders Auburn, Arkansas and Kentucky in latest weeks, would be the final crew standing. It exacts revenge from its November loss to Villanova within the Candy 16 and, after Houston stuns Arizona within the different regional semifinal, the balanced and deep Volunteers outlast the Cougars.