The first round was full of surprises and exciting matchups, and although my bracket is not perfect anymore, I feel like I deserve a second chance here in the second round. 32 teams will now play to move onto the Sweet Sixteen, which is the where the madness starts to get really serious.
I currently have a 20-12 record on predictions this March. There are games happening on Saturday and Sunday. 16 matchups, and I am here to tell you who will win them all.
Starting off with Saturday’s set of games, we have No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 7 Dayton: Arizona beat Long Beach State very easily and Dayton made a massive comeback because of Nevada’s unreal 17-point lead choked to lose. This is a great matchup, and I think the Wildcats beat the Flyers, Arizona wins.
No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 5 Gonzaga: Although I had McNeese and Samford in this game, one of these teams really proved me wrong, and that was the Zags. Kansas should have lost to Samford after one of the best blocks was called a foul when there was no contact. Because of this, I think that Gonzaga will continue to prove their legitimacy, while Kansas builds their fraudulency. Zags win.
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 9 Michigan State: This matchup is ripping me in half. Michigan State is so difficult to pick against in March, and they won against a good team. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels only beat a 16 seed. However, with the overall play this season, I can’t trust the Spartans yet. I will give North Carolina the win behind their fantastic shooting defense.
No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 7 Washington State: Washington State did great to beat Drake last round, but I do not think they will keep it up against Iowa State. I believe that Iowa State will win this game and move to the Sweet Sixteen.
No. 11 NC State vs. No. 14 Oakland: The worst seeded matchup and the two teams that could be labeled “America’s Teams” face off. It pains me to see one of these teams go home Saturday, but Jack Gohlke will cement himself after a 32-point outing alongside March Madness legends Doug Edert and Jimmer Fredette, and Oakland keeps their Cinderella story alive.
No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Texas: Both teams played well in their first-round matchups. The Vols looked like the only good SEC team in the tournament, and I think they give Texas an early welcome to the SEC. Tennessee moves on.
No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 11 Duquesne: After beating BYU, Duquesne can beat Illinois, but I enjoyed how Illinois played Thursday. I think they will continue their success on Saturday and go to the Sweet Sixteen.
No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 11 Oregon: This is another matchup tearing me apart. I think Creighton has Final Four potential. Meanwhile Oregon looked awesome against South Carolina, with Jermaine Couisnard dropping 40 on his former team. It is a tough decision but give me Creighton in this one.
Sunday’s games start with No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 10 Colorado: Colorado scored 102 points. That is incredible in college. Marquette was in a game and then pulled away in the last half. I look at this Colorado team, and I see a deep run. I got the Buffs winning.
No. 1 Purdue vs. 8 Utah State: Both teams won promisingly, and my key factor is who succeeds from the three. Purdue is a top five three-point offense, and Utah State is a top five three-point defense. I think Purdue’s offense will be too good. Give me the Boilermakers.
No. 4 Duke vs. No. 12 James Madison: I was very excited that my upset pick JMU won. They looked good, and when it comes to my pick in this game, it’s simple. What’s better than a Duke? Multiple Dukes. Give me the James Madison Dukes to pull off another upset.
No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 6 Clemson: As much as I look at this matchup and think the Tigers can beat the Bears, Baylor’s offense will be too dominant for Clemson to handle. I got the Baylor Bears winning.
No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 12 Grand Canyon: Looks like GCU was able to neutralize Saint Mary’s slow pace. Now we can see if they can slow down a fast team, and I do not see that happening. Roll tide roll, Bama wins.
No. 1 UConn vs. No. 9 Northwestern. This is honestly my easiest pick. UConn looked too good to lose this early. The defending champs move to the Sweet Sixteen.
No. 1 Houston vs No. 9 Texas A&M: As much as I was impressed by A&M in their win against Nebraska, Houston dominated their opponent in round one. The Cougars will continue, Houston advances.
No. 5 San Diego State vs. No. 13 Yale: First off, what an ending for the Yale game. I think the significant difference in this game is that Yale will face a much harder defensive team. Because of that, my final second round game goes to SDSU.
Bryce Norwood can be reached at [email protected]