2nd Round Games. Midwest Region. Day 1.

(3) Michigan State

(14) Valparaiso

          



                 VERSES








The Michigan State Spartans will have to problem with Valparaiso... 75 to 43.

(4) Saint Louis

(13) New Mexico State
 

    



      VERSES







Saint Louis Billikens will win in a tough matchup 65-57.




   

(6) Memphis

(11) Saint Mary's

         VERSES









Even with the Gaels domination of MTSU Tuesday... Memphis will win 80-75.

(12) Oregon Ducks

(5) Oklahoma State

             VERSES








Oregon by 15. 65-50

(16) North Carolina A&T

(1) Louisville

                VERSES








Louisville will walk away victorious 76-40

(8) Colorado State

NCAA Tournament 2nd Round Games Day 1. East Bracket

 

(3) Marquette

(14) Davidson

   VERSES










The Top matchup is Marquette verses Davidson

My prediction would be the Davidson Wildcats 67 Marquette Golden Eagles 65

(4) Syracuse

(13) Montana

                    VERSES







The Second Matchup pins the Syracuse Orange vereses the Montana Grizzles.

 My Prediction for this game is easy... Syracuse 75 Montana 50. This shouldn't be a problem.

(5) UNLV

(12) California

      VERSES  

   This Matchup is very interesting...  I think California will win a close matchup 64-63, possibly overtime or game-winner.





And the final Matchup below this is Butler verses Bucknell. Butler 86 Bucknell 72.



 



VERSES

(6) Butler

(11) Bucknell

NCAA Tournament Opening Round Game 4

Boise State Broncos

La Salle Explorers

 VERSES

       The fourth and final Opening Round Game pins the La Salle Explorers (21-9) against the Boise State Broncos (21-10).

        The Explorers are on a 2 game losing streak entering the NCAA Tournament after being upset  in the second round of the Atlantic 10 Conference by the Butler Bulldogs. They were the fourth seed entering that tournament after losing their last regular season  game to eventual A-10 Champions St. Louis Billikens.
     
        The explorers top 2 leading scorers average 32 points per game combined. Ramon Galloway averages 17 points and nearly four assists per game, while Tyreek Duren averages 15 points and three assits per game.

        The Broncos lost to the San Diego State Aztecs in the second round of the Mountain West Conference tournament. They beat SDSU in the final game of their regular season a few days prior to that.

       The Broncos leading scorers average almost 34 points per game. Anthony Drmic averages a little more than 17 points (17.3) and two point four assists per game, while Derrick Marks averages 16.4 points and four assists per game.

       Overall this game looks to be really tight between the two. The Broncos have played 4 games against ranked teams going 1-3 overall and the Explorers have played 3 going 2-1. The Broncos only average one more point per game (73.3 to 72.4) while giving up one less point per game (65 to 66).
 
       The winner of this game plays Kansas State Friday 2:10 CT in Kansas City, Missouri.

        I think this will be an overtime thriller. Boise State will come out strong but the Explorers of La Salle will tame the Broncos 72 to 71.

NCAA Tournament Opening Round Game 3

James Madison University Dukes

LIU-Brooklyn Blackbirds

  

 

 

 

 

 

VERSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

             The Second Day for Opening Round Games begins Wednesday with the LIU-Brooklyn Blackbirds (20-13) taking on the James Madison University Dukes (20-14) tipping off at 5:40CT.

 

 

            The Dukes won the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament upsetting the top 2 seeds in the semi-finals (2 Delaware) and finals (1 Northeastern). The Blackbirds enter on a four game winning streak, and finished fourth in the conference regular season. They were seeded 3rd in the tournament after Towson was ineligible for postseason play.

 

            The top two scorers for the Blackbirds both average mroe than 12 points per game. Rayshawn Goins averages 12 point seven points per game while A.J. Davis averages 12 point one points. Goins also leads the team with 7 point four rebounds per game.

 

             The Blackbirds enter on a five game winning streak and won the Northeastern Conference Tournament. They upset the second seeded Wagner in the semi-finals. LIU also ended the regular season fourth in conference.

 

             Their leading scorers Jamal Olasewere and C.J. Garner combine for almost 35 points per game. Olasewere averages just under 19 points per game (18.9) and 8 and a half rebounds. Garner averages a little more than 16 points per game (16.1) and about two assists.

 

             Overall this does not seem like a favorable matchup for the Dukes. LIU scores the 10th most points in the country (79.5) nearly 14 points more than James Madison (65.2). However, with the high scoring offense, they give up 12 more points per game (64.4 to 76.4)

 

             The winner of this match takes on the top seed in the East Indiana Hoosiers Friday at 3:10 CT.

 

             In my opinion, the Blackbirds will run away with this game 80-55 and get their first ever NCAA Tournament win.

 

            Tournament Appearances and Records

            James Madison 5th appearance (3-4)

            LIU-Brooklyn   6th appearance (0-5)



NCAA Tournament Opening Round Game 2

Saint Mary's Gaels

MTSU Blue Raiders

VERSES

 

 

 

 

          The second game Tuesday features the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (28-5) taking on the Saint Mary's Gaels (27-6). The game is set to tip at 8:10 central time from Dayton.

           The Blue Raiders were sweating after their devastating loss to Florida International in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Tournament. MTSU came into the tournament riding an 18-game winning streak, the longest in the country at the time, and were the top-ranked team in the tournament.

           They hadn't lost since January 3rd against Arkansas State and only had six games where their win was less than 10 points. Marcos Knight was the main star for the team leading the team with 12 and a half points per game and almost six rebounds per game.

           The Blue Raiders were watching intensly on Sunday night as the brackets were announced giving them an 11 seed. Everything fell right for them the days following that devastating loss. However, the Blue Raiders only have one big win and it was at home against Ole Miss Rebels in Novmeber. This is the Blue Raiders first NCAA Tournament appearance in 24 years.

            The Saint Mary's Gaels however finished 2nd in the West Coast Regular Season and Conference Tournament; they only lost their three conference games, including the tournament title game, to the Gonzaga Bulldogs, number one in the polls during the last week of the polls.

            They won 15 of their last 17 games only losing to Gonzaga during that span. The Gaels only had five single digit victories during that point in time. Matthew Dellavadova is their leading scorer averaging 16 points and six steals per game.

            Overall, the two teams match up fairly well on paper. Saint Mary's outscores MTSU by four per game, 75.5 to 71.2, but MTSU gives up five points less per game, 57.8 to 63.5. MTSU only played one ranked team this year and were crushed by Florida. Saint Mary's played Gonzaga three times and beat them once.
            The winner will take on the Memphis Tigers Thursday in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

            I think the Blue Raiders will have a tough challenge aganst the Gaels. I think the Gaels will win decisively 63 to 51.
          

            Tournament Appearances and records

             MTSU 7th appearance (2-6)

             Saint Mary's 8th appearance (3-7)



 

 



NCAA Tournament Opening Round Game 1



     The First Game of the 2013 NCAA Men's Tournament is between these two teams on Tuesday at 5:40CT.








               The Liberty Flames (15-20) come into this match against the
North Carolina A&T Aggies  (19-16) after making an unbelievable run winning the Big South Tournament Championship.
                The Flames are the only team in the tournament with a sub-500 record. They were 6-10 in the Big South during the regular season but ended on a 2 game winning streak. Liberty was seeded 5th on the North end and in a tie for 9th overall.
                 The Flames are currently on a 5 game winning streak, and during the title match they had 3 players score in double figures including two in the 20 plus point range. John Caleb Sanders scored 27 and picked up nine rebounds while Davon Marshall scored 20 points going six for seven from beyond the arc.
                 Their opponents, the Aggies, are also on a winning streak, this time of four games; all of which came in the MEAC Tournament where they were victorious from the 7th seed. They finished with an 8-8 regular season conference record. The Aggies won in the first two round of their tournament by double digits, but the last two were very close. They also had 3 double digit scorers, but the most had 14 points.
                 Overall these teams seem fairly even. Liberty averages seven more points per game (69.1 to 62.2), but NC A&T gives up eight points less per game (61.1 to 69.9).
                 The winner of this matchup goes on to face the overall number one seed Louisville Cardinals on Thursday in Lexington, Kentucky.
                 My overall prediction will be a close one. Liberty 53 NC A&T 52. The upset will give Liberty their first win in the NCAA Tournament ever.
                Liberty 3rd appearance (0-2)
                North Carolina A&T 10th appearance (0-9)

NCAA Men's Tournament Appearances by each team

The Brackets are Out and here is the order in which the NCAA Tournament Committee selected the teams. First 33 are automatic qualifiers.
1-(1) Louisville Cardinals- Big East- 39th appearance (7th straight)
2-(1) Kansas Jayhawks- Big XII- 42nd appearance (24th straight)
3-(1) Gonzaga Bulldogs- West Coast Conference (16th appearance) (15th consecutive)
4-(2) Miami (Fl) Hurricanes- ACC- 7th tournament appearance (1st acc title) (1st appearance since 2008)
5-(2) Ohio State Buckeyes- Big Ten- 29th appearance 5th straight
6-(3) New Mexico Lobos- Mountain West- 14th appearance- (2nd back to back)
7-(4) Saint Louis Billikens-Atlantic 10- 8th appearance (2nd back-to-back)
8-(6) Memphis Tigers- Conference USA- 25th appearance 3rd straight
9-(7) Creighton Blue Jays Missouri Valley - 18th appearance (2nd back-to-back)
10-(11) Bucknell Bison- Patriot League- 6th appearance 1st since 2011
11-(11) Belmont Bruins 6th appearance 3rd straight appearance
12-(12) Oregon Ducks- PAC 12- 1st PAC-12 Title 11th appearance 1st since 2008
13-(12) Akron Zips- MAC- 4th appearance 1st since 2011
14-(12) Mississippi Rebels- SEC- 7th appearance 1st since 2002
15-(13) New Mexico State Aggies- WAC- 20th tournament appearance (2nd back-to-back)
16-(13) South Dakota State Jackrabbits- (Summit League) 2nd appearance (back-to-back)
17-(13) Montana Grizzlies- Big Sky 10th appearance 2nd back-to-back
18-(14) Valparaiso Crusaders-Horizon League- 8th appearance 1st since 2004
19-(14) Northwestern State Demons- Southland- 3rd appearance- 1st since 2006
20-(14) Davidson Wildcats- Southern- 12th appearance (2nd back-to-back)
21-(14) Harvard Crimson- Ivy League- 3rd appearance (2nd back-to-back)
22-(15) Albany Great Danes- American East- 3rd appearance- 1st since 2007 all since 2006
23-(15) Florida Gulf Coast Eagles- Atlantic Sun- 1st appearance
24-(15) Pacific Tigers- Big West- 9th appearance 1st since 2006
25-(15) Iona Gaels- Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference- 10th appearance (2nd back-to-back)
26-(16) North Carolina A&T Aggies- Mid Eastern Athletic Conference- 10th appearance 1st since 1995
27-(16) Liberty Flames- Big South- 3rd appearance (1st since 2004)
28-(16) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers- Sun Belt- 23rd appearance (2nd back-to-back)
29-(16) LIU-Brooklyn Blackbirds- Northeast Conference 6th appearance (3rd in a row)
30-(16) James Madison University Dukes- Colonial Athletic Association- 5th appearance 1st since 1994
31-(16) Southern University Jaguars- SouthWestern Athletic Conference- 7th appearance 1st since 2006
32- (1) Indiana Hoosiers- Big Ten- 37th appearance- (2nd back-to-back)
33- (2) Duke Blue Devils- ACC- 37th appearance- 18th straight
34- (2) Georgetown Hoyas- Big East- 29th appearance 4th straight
35- (3) Michigan State Spartans- Big Ten- 27th appearance- 16th straight
36- (3) Florida Gators- SEC- 18th appearance- 4th straight
37- (3) Marquette Golden Eagles- Big East- 31st appearance- 8th straight
38- (4) Michigan Wolverines- Big Ten- 24th appearance- 3rd straight
39- (4) Syracuse Orange- Big East- 36th appearance- 5th straight
40- (4) Kansas State Wildcats- Big XII- 27th appearance 4th straight
41- (5) Oklahoma State Cowboys- Big XII- 25th appearance- 1st since 2010
42- (5) Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rams- Atlantic 10- 12th appearance- 4th straight
43 -(5) UNLV Rebels- Mountain West- 20th appearance 4th straight
44- (5) Wisconsin Badgers- Big Ten- 19th appearance 15th straight
45- (6) UCLA Bruins- PAC 12- 45th appearance 1st since 2011
46- (6) Butler Bulldogs- Atlantic 10- 12th appearance- 1st since 2011
47- (6) Arizona Wildcats- PAC 12- 30th appearance- 1st since 2011
48- (7) San Diego State Aztecs- Mountain West- 9th appearance 4th straight
49- (7) Illinois Fighting Illini- Big Ten- 30th appearance 1st since 2011
50- (7) Notre Dame Fighting Irish- Big East- 33rd appearance 4th straight
51- (8) Colorado State Rams- Mountain West- 10th appearance 2nd back-to-back
52- (8) North Carolina Tar Heels- ACC- 44th appearance- 3rd straight
53- (8) North Carolina State Wolfpack- ACC- 24th appearance (2nd back-to-back)
54- (8) Pittsburgh Panthers- Big East- 24th appearance 1st since 2011
55- (9) Missouri Tigers- SEC- 26th appearance 5th straight
56- (9) Villanova Wildcats- Big East- 33rd appearance- 1st since 2011
57- (9) Temple Owls- Atlantic 10- 31st appearance- 6th straight
58- (9) Witchita State Shockers- Missouri Valley- 10th appearance- 2nd back-to-back
59- (10) Cincinnati Bearcats- Big East- 27th appearance- 3rd straight
60- (10) Oklahoma Sooners- Big XII- 27th appearance 1st since 2009
61- (10) Colorado Buffalo- PAC 12- 12th appearance 2nd back-to-back
62- (10) Iowa State Cyclones- Big XII- 15th appearance 2nd back-to-back
63- (11) Saint Mary's Gaels- West Coast- 8th appearance 2nd back to back
64- (11) Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders- Sun Belt- 7th appearance 1st since 1989
65- (11) Minnesota Golden Gophers- Big Ten- 12th appearance- 1st since 2010
66- (12) California Bears- PAC 12- 18th appearance 2nd back-to-back
67- (13) La Salle Explorers- Atlantic 10- 12th appearance 1st since 1992
68- (13) Boise State Broncos- Mountain West- 6th appearance 1st since 2008

NCAA Men's Tournament Selection Order

The Brackets are Out and here is the order in which the NCAA Tournament Committee selected the teams. First 31 are automatic qualifiers.
 1-(1)    Louisville Cardinals
 2-(1)    Kansas Jayhawks
 3-(1)    Gonzaga Bulldogs
 4-(2)    Miami (Fl) Hurricanes
 5-(2)    Ohio State Buckeyes
 6-(3)    New Mexico Lobos
 7-(4)    Saint Louis Billikens
 8-(6)    Memphis Tigers
 9-(7)   Creighton Blue Jays
10-(11) Bucknell Bison
11-(11) Belmont Bruins
12-(12) Oregon Ducks
13-(12) Akron Zips
14-(12)  Mississippi Rebels
15-(13)  New Mexico State Aggies
16-(13)  South Dakota State Jackrabbits
17-(13)  Montana Grizzlies
18-(14)  Valparaiso Crusaders
19-(14)  Northwestern State Demons
20-(14)  Davidson Wildcats
21-(14)  Harvard Crimson
22-(15)  Albany Great Danes
23-(15)  Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
24-(15)  Pacific Tigers
25-(15)  Iona Gaels
26-(16)  North Carolina A&T Aggies
27-(16)  Liberty Flames
28-(16)  Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
29-(16)  LIU-Brooklyn Blackbirds
30-(16)  James Madison University Dukes
31-(16)  Southern University Jaguars
32- (1)   Indiana Hoosiers
33- (2)   Duke Blue Devils
34- (2)   Georgetown Hoyas
35- (3)   Michigan State Spartans
36- (3)   Florida Gators
37- (3)   Marquette Golden Eagles
38- (4)   Michigan Wolverines
39- (4)   Syracuse Orange
40- (4)   Kansas State Wildcats
41- (5)   Oklahoma State Cowboys
42- (5)   Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rams
43- (5) UNLV Rebels
44- (5)   Wisconsin Badgers
45- (6)   UCLA Bruins
46- (6)   Butler Bulldogs
47- (6)   Arizona Wildcats
48- (7)   San Diego State Aztecs
49- (7)   Illinois Fighting Illini
50- (7)   Notre Dame Fighting Irish
51- (8)   Colorado State Rams
52- (8)   North Carolina Tar Heels
53- (8)   North Carolina State Wolfpack
54- (8)   Pittsburgh Panthers
55- (9)   Missouri Tigers
56- (9)   Villanova Wildcats
57- (9)   Temple Owls
58- (9)   Witchita State Shockers
59- (10) Cincinnati Bearcats
60- (10) Oklahoma Sooners
61- (10) Colorado Buffalo
62- (10) Iowa State Cyclones
63- (11) Saint Mary's Gaels
64- (11) Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders
65- (11) Minnesota Golden Gophers
66- (12) California Bears
67- (13) La Salle Explorers
68- (13) Boise State Broncos

2013 NCAA Men's Tournament Selection process

     March Madness is officially underway as the brackets were announced Monday night on ESPN.

Overall it was not a surprise the Louisville Cardinals, the Big East Regular season and Tournament Champions were the overall number 1 seed. The only sad part about their Big East title is the fact that it is the LAST Big East Championship as we know it. Next year, the Big East will involve the Catholic 7 teams and more teams they invite. The majority of the now Big East will move to a new conference possibly known as the American Champions.

 The Opening Round of the tournament begins Tuesday with the last four teams selected playing.

The First match-up on Tuesday features North Carolina A&T Aggies verses Liberty Flames at 5:40 Central Time.

The second match features the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders taking on the Saint Mary's Gales at 8:10.

Wednesday shows the other two opening round games.

The LIU-Brooklyn Blackbirds take on James Madison University Dukes at 5:40 followed by La Salle Explorers against Boise State Broncos.

These games take place in Dayton, Ohio and are also known as the "Play-In Games."