5 Wichita State vs. 12 Virginia Commonwealth: This is my 12 over 5 pick in this year’s tournament. In years past, the 12-seeds have had some success in taking down the 5-seeded team in the tournament. The overall record of 5 vs. 12, according to ESPN, is 57-27. I thought it would be a little closer. However, what I did find was that 12-seeded teams that made the tournament the previous year have a 13-11 record against the 5-seeds.
VCU was not only a team that made it to the tournament last year, but they were very successful. They made it to the final four. They have a wonderful coach in Shaka Smart and the experience to go along with it. VCU has also been one of the hottest teams as of late going 11-1 in their last 12. This won’t be an easy task for VCU – Wichita St. will be a tough team. They are loaded with seniors. I have to go with the tournament experience in this one as Wichita St did not make it last year. VCU wins.
4 Indiana vs. 13 New Mexico State: Both of these teams can fill it up. This should be a fairly high scoring game. I don’t see this having the potential of an upset. Indiana has lost one of their starters in Verdell Jones III, but they are still a good team without him. The level of play that Indiana has played this season in the Big Ten doesn’t even come close in comparison to what New Mexico St. has played. Indiana comes out on top, 83-75.
5 New Mexico vs. 12 Long Beach State: I have seen and heard of a lot of people who believe that this could be an upset game as well. This is another 12 vs. 5 match-up. The Mountain West conference has been tough this season. New Mexico won the conference tournament and is coming in with some solid confidence. This is another team that has played a higher level of competition this season, and they hold the upper hand in this one.
Long Beach St. did play a tough out of conference schedule this season. They played tough in those games, but came out of the wrong end. I see the same thing happening in this one. New Mexico’s 14th ranked scoring defense will be too tough for L.B. State. New Mexico wins in a close one.
4 Louisville vs. 13 Davidson: One team is coming into this game after winning their conference tournament against some great teams that will also be in this tournament – such teams as Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and Marquette. The other team… is Davidson. I have to go with Louisville. Do not pick this upset. Remember the last Big East tournament winner? It was Connecticut, and they rolled through the whole NCAA tournament. Even though Louisville doesn’t have that Kemba Walker type player, they still will not lose in the first round. Louisville wins 68-59.
Louisville has a lot in common with New Mexico. They are a tough defensive team. They also have a big man that averages near a double-double in points and rebounds. Louisville’s big man, Gorgui Dieng is averaging 9.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG, and also a whopping 3.2 blocks per game. He doesn’t allow any easy baskets down low. A match-up between Louisville and New Mexico may be one of the best match-ups in the second round of the field of 64.
Image Courtesy Of The Oregonian
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