The stage is finally set for the annual March Madness Tournaments. Men's March Madness began yesterday with 32 teams in play, battling it out for a spot in the round of 32. Here's what we have in store for all 16 games today.
East Region
#7 Michigan State vs. #10 USC
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 12:15 P.M.
Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
As the initial line suggests (-2 MSU), this should be a great game.
Michigan State is led by senior guard Tyson Walker, and senior forward Joey Hauser. Walker averages 14.6 PPG while shooting over 40% from beyond and Hauser also shoots 40% from beyond, averaging 14.2 PPG. These stars suggest that MSU's record is not suggestive of their play, and they should not be taken lightly with key wins against Indiana, Maryland, and Kentucky. They will rely on the deep ball, as they are top five in the nation from three.
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On the other side is USC, who has won five out of their last seven, but has dropped two of their last three. Senior guard Boogie Ellis leads the way for the Trojans, averaging 18 PPG on close to 44% shooting.
The Trojans should also not be taken lightly as they've already beat UCLA, Auburn, and fell a few minutes short of beating Arizona. This will no doubt be a high scoring affair, and I see the Trojans narrowly escaping this one in the last few minutes.
Prediction: Michigan State 69 USC 74
#2 Marquette vs. #15 Vermont
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 2:45 P.M.
Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
The Catamounts of Vermont come into this tournament as winners of 15 straight, including their most recent thwarting against UMass Lowell in the American East Championship. Led by senior guard Dylan Penn, the Catamounts score 73 PPG, and allow 66. This team also shoots lights out at 47.5%.
However, their opponent has also been on a run of their own.
Marquette, coached by former VCU and Texas coach, Shaka Smart, has had as dominant of a season as they come. In fact, they've won 19 out of their last 21, including winning both the regular season and Big East Conference championship. Like Vermont, they also shoot the ball at an efficient rate, hitting 48.7% of their shots.
This game should be a good one, as two hot teams battle for only one spot. I'm taking Marquette.
Prediction: Marquette 82 Vermont 71
#1 Purdue vs. #16 Fairleigh Dickinson
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 7:10 PM
Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
Fairleigh Dickinson is entering this game with nothing to lose. Although they lost in the Northeast Conference Tournament Final, they were given a spot in the first four since NEC winner Merrimack was not eligible to make the tournament.
Led by senior guard Demetre Roberts, the Knights (20-15) can hurt you with their scoring at 77.8 PPG, but they happen to yield nearly 75 PPG. But their opponent is the top team in the East Region and their opponent can also score at ease.
Led by Zach Edey, perhaps the best center in college basketball, the Purdue Boilermakers are coming off of a strong season, after winning the Big Ten Conference Tournament. The Boilermakers are a consistent team with strong play on both ends. They are the more rested team and come in with perhaps more confidence and momentum so I expect them to win comfortably.
Prediction: Purdue 79 Fairleigh Dickinson 56
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#6 Kentucky vs. #11 Providence
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 7:10 PM
Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina
Though they've lost four out of their last five, Providence should not be taken lightly.
For starters, they score 78.1 PPG and are a top 30 rebounding team.
Led by sophomore forward, Bryce Hopkins, the Friars are a solid team.
On the opposite end are the Kentucky Wildcats who have over the years done quite well in the annual March Madness tournament. Kentucky comes in as winners of five of their last seven–led by senior guard Antonio Reeves and superstar senior forward Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky looks poised to have a March breakout.
In my eyes, it'll be a close one, but I like Kentucky by six.
Prediction: Kentucky 71 Providence 65
#8 Memphis vs. #9 Florida Atlantic
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 9:20 P.M.
Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
Here we go. Mid-major madness.
Memphis comes in scorching hot after beating Houston in the American Championship. As of late the Tigers have found their groove, winning six out of their last seven. The Tigers are led by senior guard Kendric Davis, who is one of college basketball's best, averaging 22.1 PPG and 5.6 APG. Davis and the Tigers score nearly 80 PPG at 79.8 and shoot at an extremely efficient rate. They should not be taken lightly.
Standing on the opposite end is another mid-major contender in Florida Atlantic University. Like Memphis, the Owls of Florida Atlantic can pour it in, as they average 78.8 PPG. The Owls won an intense Conference-USA which saw three teams with at least 25 overall wins.
As the odds and line suggest, this is going to be a tight one. I think Memphis just edges the Owls out, in what should be one of the best games of the opening round.
Prediction: Memphis 77 FAU 73
#3 Kansas State vs. #14 Montana State
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 9:40 P.M.
Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina
Led by senior forward Keyontae Johnson, Kansas State has been one of the most exciting teams to watch this season. The Wildcats move the ball around quite well and have three players who score in double figures. Though they've dropped consecutive games, they still enter as a quite talented team.
The Wildcats' opponent, Montana State, has been playing some fantastic ball down the stretch. Winners of eight straight, including the Big Sky Conference Tournament Championship the Bobcats are a well-balanced team who can offer trouble to Kansas State.
It should be a good game, and I see Kansas State coming out on the winning end.
Prediction: Kansas State 71 Montana State 58
Midwest Region
#3 Xavier vs. #14 Kennesaw State
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 12:40 P.M.
Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina
Led by senior guard Souley Boum, the Xavier Musketeers have won five out of their last six. Boum and co. facilitate one of the best offenses in college basketball, tied for 15th in points and 2nd in APG. They also shoot quite well at 49.4 FG% and are 3rd in the nation in 3pt%.
They will face Kennesaw State, a first-time entry into the annual tournament who defeated Liberty at the buzzer with a free throw to win the ASUN Conference Championship and enter the annual tournament.
Led by junior guard Chris Younglood, Kennesaw State has won eight of their last nine.
I like Xavier winning this one, and it should be a high scoring affair.
Prediction: Xavier 77 Kennesaw State 65
#6 Iowa State vs. #11 Pittsburgh
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 3:10 P.M.
Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina
The Pittsburgh Panthers were the beneficiaries of a missed buzzer-beater which granted them access into the round of 64, after beating Mississippi State in the first four. The Panthers are a balanced team with four players averaging double figures. Though they've lost three out of their last five, the Panthers are better than their seed, as suggested by their strong play in the ACC. The Panthers will hope to continue their run as they face Iowa State.
On the other side, the Cyclones are a very interesting team.They've struggled quite a bit the last seven games, losing five of those, but they come out of perhaps the toughest division, the Big 12. They are also quite battle tested with wins over Kansas, Baylor (x3), and Texas.
This should be a good one and I believe Iowa State's defense (62.8 PPG) will be the difference maker.
Prediction: Iowa State 66 Pittsburgh 61
#5 Miami vs. #12 Drake
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 7:25 P.M.
MVP Arena in Albany, New York
Miami has one of the best backcourts in the nation led by junior guard Isaiah Wong and senior guard Jordan Miller.
The Hurricanes are a battle tested team with wins against ACC foes Duke and Virginia. The Canes also happened to share the ACC title with Virginia. They are more than capable of making a deep run in March.
Drake, the winner of the Mountain Valley Conference, is clicking at the right time. The Bulldogs have won 13 of their last 14. Their most recent victory was a 77-51 thwarting over Bradley in the MVC Tournament Championship. Bradley had won 12 straight before that.
The Bulldogs are a well-balanced team who can pose a threat to the Canes. However, I think Miami's offense is just a bit more dynamic now.
Prediction: Miami 74 Drake 61
#4 Indiana vs. #13 Kent State
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 9:55 P.M.
MVP Arena in Albany, New York
Don't sleep on Kent State. The Mid-American Conference Tournament Champions sport a 28-6 overall record and were 15-3 in conference play. They've contended in close games with the likes of Houston and Gonzaga, losing to the former by five, and the latter by seven.This is an extremely talented team with three players scoring in double figures per game. In the 22 games Kent State has scored 75 or more, they are 21-1. Keep that in mind.
On the other side is the Indiana Hoosiers led by sensational senior forward Trayce Jackson-Davis. The Hoosiers are a very strong team, with wins against Maryland and Purdue to name a few, but I believe Kent State can pull off the upset, given the way they have played recently.
Prediction: Indiana 71 Kent State 79
South Region
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 1:30 P.M.
#3 Baylor vs. UC Santa Barbara
Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado
This is a very talented Baylor team. This season the Bears beat Kansas, Texas, UCLA, and Gonzaga. Finishing tied for third in a competitive Big 12 Conference, the Bears lost in the first round of the BIG 12 Conference Tournament to Iowa State. Though, being a well-balanced team will help them and the Bears know what they are capable of.
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They will face the UCSB Gauchos who were winners of the Big West Conference. The Gauchos ability to pull off the upset will entirely depend on the performance of sophomore guard Ajay Mitchell.
I expect it to be a good game with Baylor pulling away in the final minutes.
Prediction: Baylor 73 UCSB 67
#6 Creighton vs. #11 NC State
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 4:00 P.M.
Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado
This will be a great 6 vs. 11 matchups.
Creighton is a very battle-tested team as they nearly beat Arizona, Texas, and Marquette. They are led by sophomore guard, Trey Alexander, who shoots quite well from beyond. As a team, Creighton averages 76.6 PPG while yielding 68.5 PPG.
Their opponent NC State has struggled down the stretch losing three out of their last four. Fortunately, their résumé was strong enough to get them in as they held wins against both Miami and Duke. NC State is a very similar team to Creighton in terms of PPG on both ends.
I think it'll come down to the wire and I see NC State pulling off the upset.
Prediction: Creighton 64 NC State 71
West Region
#5 St. Mary's vs. #12 VCU
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 2:00 P.M.
MVP Arena in Albany, New York
This isn't the Skaka Smart led VCU team, but these Rams are quite good. Finishing with a 27-7 record and winners of the intense A-10 conference, the Rams are buzzing at the right time. Winners of nine straight, the Rams are a well-balanced team that can get you at both sides of the ball.
The St. Mary's Gaels, who VCU will face, also had an impressive season finishing 26-7 with a share of the WCC regular season conference title. The Gaels have always been known for their three-point shooting, and they have two starters who shoot at least 40% from deep. One of the deepest teams in the tournament, the Gaels have four players averaging double figures. The game changer will be the defense which works in the Gaels favor as they have one of the top defenses in college basketball.
Yes, this game can be prone to an upset watch, but I see the Gaels coming away with the W.
Prediction: ST Mary's 74 VCU 67
#4 UCONN vs. #13 Iona
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 4:30 P.M.
MVP Arena in Albany, New York
It's been a tale of both sides for UCONN this season. After starting 14-0 the Huskies lost five out of their next six–but since then, they've won 10 of their last 13. With an extremely strong offense and talented defense, this is a very competitive Huskies team.
Their opponent Iona eased their way through the MAAC and has won 14 straight. The Gaels have both a talented frontcourt and backcourt and can win this game. However, in March both experience and free throw percentage matter, something that works in UCONN's favor.
I see UCONN doing just enough to avoid the early exit and potential upset.
Prediction: UCONN 77 IONA 72
#3 Gonzaga vs. #14 Grand Canyon
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 7:35 P.M.
Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado
Under Mark Few, Gonzaga has always been a dominant team with Final Four and Championship appearances. They will look to do the same this year. Led by senior forward Drew Timme, this Gonzaga team is stacked. The Bulldogs are the best in the nation in scoring at 87.5 PPG and have four players who average double digits in scoring. Not to mention they've won nine straight. This team can get you from all over and is one of the most battle-tested, with a win over Alabama earlier in the season.
Though Grand Canyon finished fourth in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) they caught fire at the end of the season winning six straight, including the WAC Tournament, which granted them an automatic bid. Like the Bulldogs, the Lopes have four scorers who average double figures. They've played well as of late and can offer a stern challenge to Gonzaga.
However, the Bulldogs have too much firepower right now. An early upset is unlikely.
Prediction: Gonzaga 87 Grand Canyon 68
#6 TCU vs. #11 Arizona State
Friday, March 17, 2023 – 7:35 P.M.
Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado
The Arizona State Sun Devils enter this game after beating Nevada in the first four games. The Sun Devils possess lots of depth with three players averaging double figures in points. Their 5th seeded ranking in the PAC-12 shouldn't be of much concern as three of the four top teams made the tournament.
TCU has a really strong football team (2023 College Football Championship Runner-up) and… a strong basketball team, too. The Horned Frogs finished 5th in a very competitive Big 12 Conference. At 21-12 the Horned Frogs have some quality wins against Kansas State (x2), Texas, Kansas, and Baylor.
However, I think Arizona State is going to pull off the upset by six.
Prediction: TCU 62 Arizona State 68
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* Originally published on March 17, 2023, by Nicholas Nathanson
