East Regional Preview

The East Regional kicks off tonight with two awesome games in 1 Villanova vs 5 West Virginia and 3 Texas Tech vs 2 Purdue. This is probably the best Regional of the four simply because of the high-profile teams involved. This is also the chalkiest region we have left, so we should cherish the normalcy that it represents.

In the first matchup, we have Villanova and West Virginia. This is an enticing matchup because we have the best offense in the country vs one of the best full-court defenses in the country. Villanova's Mikal Bridges has been playing like a top 10 pick in the Tournament, and the point guard matchup between Jalen Brunson and Jevon Carter is phenomenal. Both are Cousy Award finalists and both hail from Illinois. I expect a fast-paced ballgame with a lot of threes being shot. 

The second matchup is another offense vs defense thriller. We have the offensively beautiful Purdue vs the hard-nosed defense of Texas Tech. Again, the guard matchup will be something to see. Carsen Edwards has been one of the best guards all season, while Keenan Evans has carried his Red Raiders to this point. This is the best game we will see tonight. I expect a close game won on the final possession. 

Time for my predictions. What used to be my favorite part of college basketball is now turning into something I dread. Yesterday I went 1/4, getting only Michigan correct. Tonight I hope to do better. 

1 Villanova over 5 West Virginia 

Villanova shoots too well and scores too much for West Virginia to keep up offensively. West Virginia's press will be sliced up by the talented Villanova guard play, and their offense won't match the efficiency of Nova. West Virginia has struggled scoring in the second half all year, and I think it dooms them tonight. 

3 Texas Tech over 2 Purdue 

This is a really tough game for me to call, but I love a hot guard in March. This year, it's Keenan Evans. Purdue can easily win this game, but I think Isaac Haas not being at 100% if he even plays will hurt Purdue's efficiency around the rim. Texas Tech is a premier defensive team, and I think they can handle the Boilermakers. 

1 Villanova over 3 Texas Tech

Villanova's offense is historically good. This year especially I feel that teams that are more offensively challenged than defensively have been more vulnerable. Look at Cincinnati, Tennessee and Virginia for example. It's tough to win when you can't score. That's why Villanova will go to the Final Four, and Texas Tech won't.