2014 NCAA Tournament Predictions
By Michael Schneid
SOUTH REGION:
Sweet 16: 1. Florida vs 12. Stephen F Austin, 6. Ohio State vs 2. Kansas
Elite 8: 1. Florida vs 2. Kansas
Final Four: 1. Florida
Notable Upsets: 12. Stephen F Austin over 5. VCU, 12. Stephen F Austin over 4. UCLA in round of 32
Potential Sleeper: 7. New Mexico
The Lobos were a trendy final four pick one year ago and flamed out in the first round. But this year have a good draw to make a deep run.
Notes: Florida and Stephen F. Austin have two of the nation's longest winning streaks (SFA at 28, Florida at 26)
EAST REGION:
Sweet 16: 1. Virginia vs 4. Michigan State, 3. Iowa State vs. 7. Uconn
Elite 8: 4. Michigan State vs. 3. Iowa State
Final Four: 4. Michigan State
Notable Upsets: 11. Providence over 6. North Carolina in round of 64, 7. Uconn over Villanova in round of 32
Potential Sleeper: 7. Uconn
Does Shabazz Napier have any Kemba Walker in him? Uconn has St. Joe's first and potentially Villanova in round of 32, a team they are familiar with. If they get to MSG, they will have home court advantage with their fans traveling.
Notes: The east is loaded with conference tournament champions - Big Ten, Big East, Big 12, Atlantic 10, ACC... Does Uconn's Shabazz Napier have any Kemba Walker magic in him?...The Cyclones and Spartans are two of the hottest teams in the country....Despite Harvard being a trendy upset pick, look at Cincinnati as a potential sleeper in this region
WEST REGION:
Sweet 16: 1. Arizona vs. 4. San Diego State, 3. Creighton vs. 2. Wisconsin
Elite 8: 1. Arizona vs. 2. Wisconsin
Final Four: 1. Arizona
Notable Upsets: 12. North Dakota State over 5. Oklahoma in round of 64
Potential Sleeper: 9. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys have a tough first round game with Gonzaga and than Arizona in round of 32, but with a scorer like Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State has a chance to go as far as their All-American guard will take them.
Notes: Arizona arguably has the easiest path to the Final Four of any 1 seed...Creighton vs. Wisconsin would be a really good game
MIDWEST REGION:
Sweet 16: 1. Wichita State vs. 4. Louisville, 3. Duke vs. 2. Michigan
Elite 8: 4. Louisville vs. 2. Michigan
Final Four: 4. Louisville
Notable Upsets: 12. NC State (beats Xavier in play-in game) over Saint Louis
Potential Sleeper: 8. Kentucky
The Wildcats had a disappointing season but they still have a high level of talent and a coach with championship experience. The Wildcats can knock off Wichita and than a rematch with Louisville, who they already beat.
Notes: This is arguably the toughest region...Three of the 2013 Final Four teams are in the midwest (Michigan, Louisville, Wichita State) and the Elite 8 offers a potential rematch of last year's national championship
FINAL FOUR: Florida vs. Michigan State, Arizona vs. Louisville
NATIONAL CHAMPION: Florida
SOUTH REGION:
Sweet 16: 1. Florida vs 12. Stephen F Austin, 6. Ohio State vs 2. Kansas
Elite 8: 1. Florida vs 2. Kansas
Final Four: 1. Florida
Notable Upsets: 12. Stephen F Austin over 5. VCU, 12. Stephen F Austin over 4. UCLA in round of 32
Potential Sleeper: 7. New Mexico
The Lobos were a trendy final four pick one year ago and flamed out in the first round. But this year have a good draw to make a deep run.
Notes: Florida and Stephen F. Austin have two of the nation's longest winning streaks (SFA at 28, Florida at 26)
EAST REGION:
Sweet 16: 1. Virginia vs 4. Michigan State, 3. Iowa State vs. 7. Uconn
Elite 8: 4. Michigan State vs. 3. Iowa State
Final Four: 4. Michigan State
Notable Upsets: 11. Providence over 6. North Carolina in round of 64, 7. Uconn over Villanova in round of 32
Potential Sleeper: 7. Uconn
Does Shabazz Napier have any Kemba Walker in him? Uconn has St. Joe's first and potentially Villanova in round of 32, a team they are familiar with. If they get to MSG, they will have home court advantage with their fans traveling.
Notes: The east is loaded with conference tournament champions - Big Ten, Big East, Big 12, Atlantic 10, ACC... Does Uconn's Shabazz Napier have any Kemba Walker magic in him?...The Cyclones and Spartans are two of the hottest teams in the country....Despite Harvard being a trendy upset pick, look at Cincinnati as a potential sleeper in this region
WEST REGION:
Sweet 16: 1. Arizona vs. 4. San Diego State, 3. Creighton vs. 2. Wisconsin
Elite 8: 1. Arizona vs. 2. Wisconsin
Final Four: 1. Arizona
Notable Upsets: 12. North Dakota State over 5. Oklahoma in round of 64
Potential Sleeper: 9. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys have a tough first round game with Gonzaga and than Arizona in round of 32, but with a scorer like Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State has a chance to go as far as their All-American guard will take them.
Notes: Arizona arguably has the easiest path to the Final Four of any 1 seed...Creighton vs. Wisconsin would be a really good game
MIDWEST REGION:
Sweet 16: 1. Wichita State vs. 4. Louisville, 3. Duke vs. 2. Michigan
Elite 8: 4. Louisville vs. 2. Michigan
Final Four: 4. Louisville
Notable Upsets: 12. NC State (beats Xavier in play-in game) over Saint Louis
Potential Sleeper: 8. Kentucky
The Wildcats had a disappointing season but they still have a high level of talent and a coach with championship experience. The Wildcats can knock off Wichita and than a rematch with Louisville, who they already beat.
Notes: This is arguably the toughest region...Three of the 2013 Final Four teams are in the midwest (Michigan, Louisville, Wichita State) and the Elite 8 offers a potential rematch of last year's national championship
FINAL FOUR: Florida vs. Michigan State, Arizona vs. Louisville
NATIONAL CHAMPION: Florida
- Florida has been the best team all season, despite no one talking about them. They enter the tournament with 26 straight wins and ran the table in the SEC. They lost the second game of the season at Wisconsin and lost at Connecticut on a crazy buzzer beater.
- Michigan State was ranked top 5 to start the season but injuries plagued them all year. The Spartans are healthy and clicking at the right time.
- Arizona lost four games including the Pac-12 championship game. Two of the other three came on dramatic buzzer beaters and controversy. The Wildcats have a chance to get to the Final Four in a relatively weak region.
- Louisville has won 13 of 14 games, one of the hottest teams in the country. They have blown out almost all of their opponents, including a 61 point win over Rutgers in the AAC tournament.
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