Predicting Every Game in the Big East Tournament

The NCAA Tournament is almost upon us and to get into the spirit of bracket pools I've decided to predict every game from the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Pac 12 and SEC Tournaments. Here's the Big East.

First Round (Wednesday)

8 Georgetown vs 9 St John's 

Yeah screw Georgetown here. Shamorie Ponds might as well be the second coming of Kemba. He's a tough NYC guard who would be getting NPOY consideration if his team wasn't so bad. The Red Storm are also at home so I like that too. 

PREDICTION: St John's

7 Marquette vs 10 DePaul

It's DePaul. But wait, DePaul actually BEAT Marquette earlier in the year. But still, it's DePaul. Until they hire a coach who they didn't previously fire, I won't pick them in any game. 

PREDICTION: Marquette

Quarterfinals (Thursday)

1 Xavier vs 9 St John's 

Xavier is really bad at playing bad teams this year. They've struggled and played down to their opponents all season. That will continue in this game probably, but since X hasn't faced the consequences of this habit so far, I don't think it'll happen Thursday. 

PREDICTION: Xavier

4 Creighton vs 5 Providence

Creighton's offense is nationally prolific, but they also have a great defensive player in Khyri Thomas. I think he's the x-factor in this matchup. Providence is good enough to be in the NCAA Tournament, but I don't think they can knock off Creighton despite their close seedings.
PREDICTION: Creighton

2 Villanova vs 7 Marquette 

Villanova only loses to teams that shoot the piss out of the ball. Marquette certainly does that, so I don't like this matchup for Villanova. But whenever I think Villanova might lose, they always win by a billion. So..Nova

PREDICTION: Villanova

3 Seton Hall vs 6 Butler

Butler has a solid team. Kelan Martin is superb. Seton Hall, however, has the big guys to neutralize him. Angel Delgado should have a solid performance here and lead his team to a win. 

PREDICTION: Seton Hall

Semifinals (Friday)

1 Xavier vs 4 Creighton

If playing down to their competition isn't going to catch up with Xavier on Thursday, it definitely will Friday. I'll take the Blue Jays. 

PREDICTION: Creighton 

2 Villanova vs 3 Seton Hall

Seton Hall always plays Villanova tough. It was only two years ago when the Pirates beat Villanova in the Big East Tournament Championship. I think Villanova wins this one as they have superior guard play and are fully healthy.

PREDICTION: Villanova

Championship (Saturday)

4 Creighton vs 2 Villanova

This is probably my dream matchup. It's nothing but offense. In this one, I like Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges to step up and beat Creighton after that overtime loss that cost them the Big East. 

PREDICTION: Villanova 

Predicting Every Game in the SEC Tournament

The NCAA Tournament is almost upon us and to get into the spirit of bracket pools I've decided to predict every game from the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Pac 12 and SEC Tournaments. Let's go with the SEC.

First Round (Wednesday) 

12 Georgia vs 13 Vanderbilt 

I'm not gonna pretend to know what I'm talking about with this game, but Yante Maten from Georgia can ball. 

PREDICTION: Georgia 

11 South Carolina vs 14 Ole Miss

South Carolina has been improving since the beginning of the SEC season, while Ole Miss has been moving the opposite direction. Go Cocks. 

PREDICTION: South Carolina

Second Round (Thursday)

8 Texas A&M vs 9 Alabama

This is a matchup that could determine whether these teams are in or out on Selection Sunday. Alabama has Collin Sexton but A&M has great size. This has been a pretty disappointing 2018 for the Aggies after a hot start. I like the fire Alabama has, but A&M looks done with this season.

PREDICTION: Alabama

5 Missouri vs 12 Georgia 

Even if Michael Porter Jr doesn't play in this game, I still expect a capable Missouri squad to handle Georgia. 

PREDICTION: Missouri 

7 Mississippi State vs 10 LSU

Gimme LSU here. Tremont Waters played really well in the Maui Invitational and has the clutch gene. He can carry the Tigers past Mississippi State here. 

PREDICTION: LSU

6 Arkansas vs 11 South Carolina

Even though Arkansas just kicked Dustin Thomas off the team, they still have enough firepower in Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon to get past South Carolina. 

PREDICTION: Arkansas 

Quarterfinals (Friday)

1 Auburn vs 9 Alabama

I think Auburn has a really solid core in Jared Harper, Mustapha Heron and Bryce Brown. They are a fantastic shooting team and use momentum well. Alabama is too inconsistent to win here, despite having won against Auburn earlier. 

PREDICTION: Auburn

4 Kentucky vs 5 Missouri

The matchup of one-and-dones gone wrong I see. I'm going to predict Michael Porter doesn't play this year. If that's the case I'll take Kentucky. Kevin Knox can fill it up and Shai Gligeous-Alexander can lead this team. 

PREDICTION: Kentucky 

2 Tennessee vs 10 LSU

I've still yet to watch Tennessee play since they lost to North Carolina back in December. Sorry I just hate SEC basketball. Nonetheless I'll take Tennessee here due to seed difference. 

PREDICTION: Tennessee 

3 Florida vs 6 Arkansas 

Florida has enough shooting to down Arkansas. I'm still high on the Gators because they can blitz teams offensively. I presume they do that here. 

PREDICTION: Florida 

Semifinals (Saturday)

1 Auburn vs 4 Kentucky

Kentucky still doesn't look like they've figured it out, and Auburn looks like they have. Despite losing Anfernee McLemore for the season, and despite falling off down the stretch, I'll take Auburn.

PREDICTION: Auburn

2 Tennessee vs 3 Florida 

Something draws me to Tennessee even though I know very little about them. Grant Williams can play, and I think they show why they're SEC co-champions. 

PREDICTION: Tennessee

Championship (Sunday)

1 Auburn vs 2 Tennessee 

In their one matchup this season, Tennessee had a 10-point lead on Auburn at home and lost. Auburn was soaring and Tennessee was questioning their existence. Now it's almost the other way around. Tennessee has really been strong down the stretch, while Auburn has slipped. I'll take the Volunteers.

PREDICTION: Tennessee

Predicting Every Game in the Big 12 Tournament

The NCAA Tournament is almost upon us and to get into the spirit of bracket pools I've decided to predict every game from the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Pac 12 and SEC Tournaments. Let's go with the Big 12.

First Round (Wednesday) 

8 Oklahoma State vs 9 Oklahoma 

Oklahoma State ended their season with a fantastic win over Kansas. In doing so they were the first Big 12 team to sweep Kansas during the streak. Oklahoma is all struggle bus right now. Gimme the Pokes.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 

7 Texas vs 10 Iowa State

Iowa State has Lindell Winnington, but I like Texas here. The Longhorns ended their season with a nice win against West Virginia, and I think that momentum carries here. 

PREDICTION: Texas

Quarterfinals (Thursday)

1 Kansas vs 8 Oklahoma State

It's extremely hard to beat Kansas twice in one season, and it's damn near impossible to beat them three times. Jayhawks. 

PREDICTION: Kansas

4 Kansas State vs 5 TCU

Both teams here a quite formidable. Ultimately, I like the First Team Big 12 guy Dean Wade from K-State to help lead the Wildcats to a victory. 

PREDICTION: Kansas State

2 Texas Tech vs 7 Texas

The Keenan Evans injury has me slightly worried, and I like the groove Texas is settling into. Shaka Smart knows how to win in March, and I think they get past their in-state rival.

PREDICTION: Texas

3 West Virginia vs 6 Baylor

Baylor has been scorching hot in the recent weeks, and West Virginia has been sliding during the same stretch. Still, I think West Virginia's defense dominate the Bears. And Jevon Carter does just enough offensively to carry them.

PREDICTION: West Virginia

Semifinals (Friday)

1 Kansas vs 4 Kansas State

Kansas is the class of the Big 12 for a reason, but they honestly don't perform that well in the Big 12 Tournament. Kansas State is gonna be hungry for a win against their rival, and I think they get it done. 

PREDICTION: Kansas State

7 Texas vs 3 West Virginia

Mohamed Bamba causes issues for West Virginia down low. Sagaba Konate is neutralized when Bamba is present. This game is basically a crapshoot, but give me the Longhorns. 

PREDICTION: Texas

Championship (Saturday) 

4 Kansas State vs 7 Texas 

This matchup shows how much confidence I have in the upper echelon of the Big 12. Basically any game is 50/50 in this conference, so I don't consider this an upset necessarily. I think Kansas State is a lot tougher than people give them credit for, so I'll roll with them here. 

PREDICTION: Kansas State

Predicting Every Game in the ACC Tournament

The NCAA Tournament is almost upon us and to get into the spirit of bracket pools I've decided to predict every game from the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Pac 12 and SEC Tournaments. First up, the ACC. 

1st Round (Tuesday)

12 Boston College vs 13 Georgia Tech

I have minimal interest in this game, but I'll take Boston College as they've beaten GT once this year and Ky Bowman and Jerome Robinson can play. 

PREDICTION: Boston College

10 Notre Dame vs 15 Pittsburgh

Lol. Notre Dame should win by a billion. They finally have health in their side and need to make a push to get in the NCAA Tournament. And Pitt sucks.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame

11 Syracuse vs 14 Wake Forest

Syracuse had a nice momentum-building win against Clemson to close out the season. They should take care of business against the Demon Deacons.
PREDICTION: Syracuse

2nd Round (Wednesday)

8 Florida State vs 9 Louisville

This is a tough one, but I like FSU here. Louisville's devastating loss against Virginia is too much for the Cardinals to overcome. 

PREDICTION: Florida State

5 NC State vs 12 Boston College

I'm higher on NC State than most people. They have guys who can just win. They've taken down Arizona, Duke and UNC this year, so I expect them to take down BC. 

PREDICTION: NC State

7 Virginia Tech vs 10 Notre Dame

I like the Irish. They are playing with their backs against the wall and I trust Mike Brey to get the job done. 

PREDICTION: Notre Dame

6 North Carolina vs 11 Syracuse 

These two played a close game a few weeks ago, but I think UNC survives this one. I know they just lost to Duke, but I like how this team is playing as we come down the stretch. 

PREDICTION: North Carolina

Quarterfinals (Thursday)

1 Virginia vs 8 Florida State

Florida State had Virginia on the ropes in Tallahassee before ultimately coming up short. But at this point it's gonna take a lot for me to pick against Virginia against ACC opponents. 

PREDICTION: Virginia

4 Clemson vs 5 NC State

I've tried all year to like Clemson but I just can't bring myself to do so. I'm not buying the Tigers. NC State has a better track record against top teams, so I'll take the Wolfpack here. 

PREDICTION: NC State

2 Duke vs 10 Notre Dame

This is the game I think Notre Dame must win if they want to get in. They played Virginia really tough on the road, so that's encouraging enough for me. Duke I believe will go back to being not back after their big win over UNC. 

PREDICTION: Notre Dame

3 Miami vs 6 North Carolina

I know Miami just knocked off UNC about a week ago, but I don't trust their shaky level of consistency to have them beating UNC twice. 

PREDICTION: North Carolina

Semifinals (Friday)

1 Virginia vs 5 NC State

Sorry NC State, but Virginia is a different beast than Clemson. With all the momentum from De'Andre Hunter's shot against Louisville, I think it's enough to get the Cavs by here. 

PREDICTION: Virginia

10 Notre Dame vs 6 North Carolina

I really like the way UNC is playing right now. Seeing that by now Notre Dame has done enough to get in, I presume there will be a hint of Slayed Dragon Syndrome, and they won't perform with the same level of intensity. 

PREDICTION: North Carolina

Championship (Saturday)

1 Virginia vs 6 North Carolina

Again, I really like both teams here, but Virginia is in too much of a groove to lose this game. Especially when you consider the drubbing the Cavs gave UNC the last time they played. 

PREDICTION: Virginia

Jersey Appreciation Friday Vol. 60

WOAH! I've forgotten about Jersey Appreciation Friday for so long that it's closer to Jersey Appreciation Sunday. I'm slipping before the most important time of the year. What's happening?!?! Anyway, I'll give it to Nevada's navy and yellow uniforms. I love the way Nevada has slightly lighter blue lettering on blue jerseys and uses the yellow as an outline. It's a concept we've seen before, but not with such interesting colors. Click Here

Jersey Appreciation Friday Vol. 59

This week's Jersey Appreciation Friday goes to Michigan State for the black and neon beauties they debuted a few weeks ago. These things are electric. There is no other way to describe them. I've always felt that Michigan State should have black uniforms, and these delivered. Whenever a team does a new alternate, they tend to switch up the uniform scheme, which isn't always a good thing. But Michigan State knew enough to just change the colors. A brilliant move. Well done, Spartans. Click Here

Eye Test Power Rankings Week 16

This hasn't been that crazy of a week on the court as it has been off of it. The news came swirling earlier this morning about all the names involved in the FBI investigation, and that has rightfully dominated the college basketball news scene. The ETPW still moves forward, though, so here are this week's rankings.

1. Virginia
The Wahoos have still only lost two games all year and look to be in the driver's seat for that #1 overall seed in the tournament. A win tomorrow against the lowly Pittsburgh clinches the outright ACC regular season title.

2. Michigan State
I was almost super pissed that Michigan State was about to crap the bed against Northwestern last Saturday. (I was at the game and wanted to see Michigan State play well.) The Spartans were down 27 at one point in the first half, but they somehow turned it around and won by 5 points, only allowing 11 second half points. It's cool to see this team rolling and to have seen the largest comeback in Big Ten history live.

3. Villanova
Just when everyone thought Nova was going to lose the throne of the Big East to Xavier, they did only what Villanova could do: they dominated Xavier on the road to reclaim control of the conference. Villanova has this quality to them where whenever they are a heavy underdog (like against Xavier) they find a way to win. It's also good that Phil Booth came back against DePaul on Wednesday, so now the Cats are at full strength.

4. Duke
Duke is coming off a really strong stretch after that loss to North Carolina. What might be the most important aspect of this run is that Duke has been playing without Marvin Bagley. In Bagley's absence, Grayson Allen has really stepped up, averaging 23.8 ppg and leading his team in scoring in each of the four games. The defense has improved as well. Some are attributing that to Bagley's absence, but let's not get carried away here. Duke is better with Marvin Bagley.

5. Kansas
Yep. I've fallen into Kansas's trap once again. The Jayhawks are good. They flat out abused Oklahoma on Monday, winning 104-74. If Kansas shoots half as well as they did on Monday into the tournament, then they might actually be a lowkey favorite to win this thing. They have a huge game against Texas Tech tomorrow in Lubbock. That game will decide if Kansas wins the Big 12 outright for the 14th straight year. My money's on the Jayhawks.

6. Xavier
It seems foolish and maybe unfair to punish Xavier for losing to Villanova, but the Musketeers have yet to get over the hump in the Big East, and this year was the time to do it. They had it all laid out on a platter for them--Villanova was unhealthy, on the road and on the ropes--and they couldn't close the deal. This team is still a threat in March, but damn that loss has to sting.

7. Gonzaga
Gonzaga survived a close one yesterday against San Diego, but that happens from time to time. I'm still really confident in the Zags this year, and I believe they are a legitimate Final Four threat. Tomorrow is kind of a prove-it game for the Zags, as they get BYU on the road, a team that should be their second-most difficult opponent in the WCC.

8. Purdue
Purdue is still recovering from its 3-game losing streak, as it had two close calls against Penn State and Illinois. While they won both games, Purdue still has some questions to answer regarding their performance against the big dogs. I really need to see them take down either Ohio State or Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament next week in order for me to consider them a Final Four team.

9. North Carolina
UNC has quietly stuck around in the upper echelon of the college hoops scene. They've won six straight and are in the 2-seed discussion for the NCAA Tournament. Joel Berry and Luke Maye are being heralded as one of the best duos in basketball and finally there are programs that people are more suspicious of than them. All is bright in Chapel Hill.

10. Texas Tech
Texas Tech literally had one job: Don't lose to Oklahoma State Before the Biggest Game in Program History. And they didn't execute. The Red Raiders had a chance to knock the Jayhawks a game back in the Big 12, but now they are fighting just for a share of the Big 12 title on Saturday. There is cosmic conspiracy to keep the Jayhawk streak alive. I'm sure of it.