Thursday's 1st Round Matchups - SixBit Style

Making sure to give you enough time to hit Vegas with my advice, I am previewing Thursday's matchups early.


Washington DC Regional
(5) UWashington vs (12) Utah St
As an alum of UW, you know I am going to be a little biased. Who can resist the Purple? UW is very athletic and can score. On the flip side, they tend to become disinterested in defense. Utah St. will keep it close but will not be able to overcome Brandon Roy and Jamaal Williams.

(4) Illinois vs (13) Air Force
Where to begin? This could be Illinois vs. Cincinnati, Michigan, Florida St, etc... and the result would be the same. Illinois is making it to the second round. At least this game has the chance to be entertaining - how long will AF and its Princeton offense be able to keep it close.

(7) Wichita St. vs. (10) Seton Hall
To start with, I did check on my state quarter map and nowhere did I find Wichita. I guess it really isn't a state. Maybe that is why they are known as the "Shockers" - because it is a shock to everyone from Alabama and Louisiana that Wichita isn't a state. Based on their name alone, Seton Hall is the choice here. Plus SH has the added incentive of playing for Coach Orr's job.

(2) Tennessee vs. (15) Winthrop
OK, this is really like a #4 seed vs a #15 but apparently Tennesse coach Bruce Pearl was sending the committee Nashville BBQ during their deliberations. Winthrop definitely has the experience and ability to pull off the upset. I think Tennessee, however, will pull out a close one.


Atlanta Regional
(1) Puke vs. (16) Southern U.
If somehow, someway Southern could pull off this colossal upset, I would never complain about Puke ever again. Unfortunately, I will be complaining about Puke on Friday. This one won't be worth watching.

(8) George Washington vs. (9) UNC-Wilmington
Apparently someone on the committee got rejected from a job at GW at some time in the past. A #8 seed for GW was stunning. They had a fantastic year and end up with a very tough draw in the Seahawks from UNCW. Remember UNCW took Maryland to the buzzer in 2003. I think the unexpected low seed and return of Pops Mensah-Bonsu propel GW to victory.

(5) Syracuse vs. (12) Texas A&M
Based on a&m's play the last few months and the propensity for #12's to beat #5's, this game is ripe for an upset. Syracuse went from NIT to a #5 seed by storming through the Big East tournament which means they likely are out of emotion and energy. That being said, this is a&m and a Red Raider would never pick a&m. a&m can't even play football anymore. I see the a&m team taking a page from the football team and not even showing up for the game (re. a&m vs. Tennessee in the 2005 Cotton Bowl). Syracuse takes this in a blowout.

(4) LSU vs. (13) Iona
I didn't have one iota of an idea where Iona is so I looked it up - NY. There are lots of good bball players from NY but I'm not sure that any would go to Iona. By default, LSU is the choice here.


MINNEAPOLIS REGIONAL
(5) Nevada vs. (12) Montana
I have seen Nevada play a few times and they are impressive. They are experienced and have had good success in the last few years. Nevada can shoot the 3 and have a strong inside presence in Fazekas. Montana, on the other hand, likes to run-and-gun and substitutes freely. I see Montana running-and-gunning themselves right out of the building as they take too many quick shots, get behind, and start to press.

(4) Boston College vs. (13) Pacific
OK, I've seen enough of BC the past 2 weeks to be sold on them. I forsee a huge sweet 16 matchup against Villanova for them. This one is over early. So early that I don't even need to say anything about Pacific.

(6) Oklahoma vs. (11) Wisconsin-Milwaukee
OU has struggled as of late. WM starts 4 players who played on the team that made the sweet 16 last year. It certainly wouldn't be a surprise to see WM pull off the minor upset. However, OU did beat Texas Tech twice this year which is good enough for me. OU heads to the 2nd round.

(3) Florida vs. (14) South Alabama
Hmm - what is more 'south' than Alabama? And why is "Jaguars" their nickname? Maybe "Book Burners" was already taken. I suppose I should watch more of the National Geographic channel so I could know the natural habitat of jaguars. The pressure/trapping D employed by SA wont rile Florida. They'll keep it close for a while but Florida will prevail.


(6) Indiana vs. (11) San Diego St.
Ah another matchup that brings my pet peeve to the forefront. San Diego is definitely not a state. However, I've been there and I think it should be so they get the benefit of the doubt. Indiana blows this game off in order to send Mike Davis out the door as early as possible and get one step closer to bringing Steve Alford back to Bloomington. San Diego St (the 51st state) takes this one.

(3) Gonzaga vs. (14) Xavier
This game worries me because I am a big Gonzaga fan. Unfortunately Gonzaga has spent the past few months beating all their inferior conference foes. Beating them, but not beating them by the margins you would expect. I sense boredom in the Zags after they played a killer non-conference schedule. This lack of focus has hurt them the past few tournaments but I am remain hopeful they find the instinct once again and make a serious run in this region that has the appearance of being the easiest. Zags move on.

(7) Marquette vs. (10) Alabama
Marquette has a fantastic team and played well in their inagural Big East season. They have a good inside-outside presence and are experienced. Unfortunately, they are playing Alabama - and Alabama's players are in ironman shape since they get chased daily by jaguars. The fear of returning to the state and those ferocious jaguars inspire Alabama to victory.

(2) UCLA vs. (15) Belmont
Admit it, you didn't know there was a Belmont college. You don't even know where it is. Well it is in Nashville, TN and Belmont has been tearing up the Nashville church leagues for the past few years. It is a nice story but the other Bruins take this one.


These are free of charge - but I will take free lunches.