Caleb Sisk From Blue Wings Rising Does In-Depth Predictions For The Midwest Region Round One Games
The Kansas Jayhawks and 15 other teams look to punch their ticket to the final four.
Basketball has reached the most fun part of the season as every team is now in a win-or-go-home situation. Every ounce of work and every slight mistake will show in the end results as it’s a month filled with upsets, joy, sadness, angry fans, and elite basketball. All basketball fanatics will be at their TV watching this one for days upon days as they see how their bracket unfolds.
Below are my Midwest Region round-one picks.
#1 Purdue vs #16 Grambling
This game is a no-brainer for me. Purdue will win by a good margin as they are a team run by their big-man standout Zach Edey. Edey is going for another Player of the Year award as he has had a dominant college career up until this point as the Boilermakers are looking for a title. I have Purdue in a landslide. 82-57 Purdue.
#8 Utah State vs #9 TCU
TCU is not the flashiest team in the nation that’s for sure. I’m a believer in Jameer Nelson and I believe he gives the Horned Frogs a puncher's chance however I think this game ends in close fashion in favor of the Utah State Aggies. Utah State is coming off of a tough semi-final loss to a tough San Diego State squad. I believe Great Osobor is going to be too much but this game will be close in the end. 67-64 Utah State.
#5 Gonzaga vs #12 McNeese
DING DING DING! Upset Alert. I have McNeese winning this game and here is why. The Cowboys have only dropped three games and they have been a well-working team all season long! They are on a winning streak and have continued to dominate throughout the postseason. Many expect Gonzaga to come out like they usually do as they are usually considered a powerhouse. I don’t see that happening. I believe that McNeese comes out and punches them in the mouth early. This will still be a fairly close game. McNeese wins 80-74.
#4 Kansas vs #13 Samford
There is no way I’m picking against the Jayhawks in this one. Despite star guard Kevin McCullar missing March Madness I still haven’t a high belief that they will go a decent distance in the tournament. I don’t believe that Samford has enough to defuse Hunter Dickinson or whatever weapon that Kansas may throw at them. Give me the Jayhawks 76-59.
#6 South Carolina vs #11 Oregon
South Carolina is a really tough team. They are looking to get some March Madness wins under their belt however I don’t expect that happening. Something tells me this game will make the Gamecocks crumble under the bright lights. Oregon isn’t a team I believe can make it far throughout the tournament however if they beat the Gamecocks who knows what’s next? N'Faly Dante is a menace down low and I believe he is one of the biggest sleepers in the tournament. This may be an upset in many books but pencil Oregon into the second round. Give me the Ducks 63-59.
#3 Creighton vs #14 Akron
I find it hard to believe that this game will be close at all. No explanation needed I got Creighton in this one. Creighton wins 79-54.
#7 Texas vs #10 Colorado State
I’m going to keep this one quite simple. The Longhorns win this game and I believe the quick turnaround that Colorado State will have as they had to win in the first four games to make the tournament plays a factor. Give me Texas 81-67.
#2 Tennessee vs #15 Saint Peters
I got the Volunteers all day in this one. Dalton Knecht is arguably the best player in the nation and I believe that Zakai Zeigler is the best overall point guard in the nation. Saint Peters is no slouch and I believe they hang around in the first half but after that, it’s the DK show. Give me Volunteers 84-66.
