Virginia #4 Seed South
Virginia gets a tricky opener with Furman, but they should be able to get by them. In the round of 32 they will face San Diego St or College of Charleston, If they can get by them, Alabama awaits. Yea that’s a really bad matchup for Virginia. Alabama’s athleticism is something I can’t see Virginia being able to handle. You’ll need early the November/December version of Virginia to even have a chance. They’ll have to play perfect defense.
Sweet 16 is as far as they can realistically go.
NC State #11 Seed South
Even though NC State is the 11 seed playing 6-seed Creighton, the Wolfpack can win this game, and I think they will. Baylor is next, and they aren’t vintage a Baylor team. They are still tough though. NC State has struggled with teams that get physical, but when you have a scorer like Terquavion Smith another upset is possible. You are probably playing Arizona in the Sweet 16, and that would be 3 straight upsets for the Wolfpack. That’s a lot to ask.
Sweet 16 is as far as they can realistically go.
Duke #5 Seed East
Duke is one of the hottest teams in the country. I’m not as concerned with Oral Roberts as many are. Tennessee is athletic, but as usual with Bruce Pearl teams, they are undisciplined. Purdue pounded Duke earlier in the year, but if they meet this the result could be different. With Marquette and Kansas State in the bottom half of the bracket, there isn’t any reason Duke can’t play with them. Duke probably doesn’t shoot well enough to win 6 games, but a Final 4 run is not out of the question. It’s not likely, but it’s not impossible either.
The final 4 is as far as they can realistically go.
Miami #5 Seed Midwest
Miami can go a long way in the NCAA Tournament, but it all depends on Norchad Omier’s ankle. Houston, Indiana, etc are in their end of the bracket. Miami can play with and beat any of them. I can see running to the Elite 8 where I expect they’ll see Texas. Texas has been shaky on the road most of the year but was great in the Big 12 tournament. I can see Miami getting by them too. Miami has been just a bit too prone to inexplicable performances like losing to Georgia Tech on the road and blowing a 20+ point lead at home to Florida State to win 6 straight. I don’t think they’ll get to the Final 4, but it also wouldn’t shock me – if Omier’s ankle is ok. Without a healthy Omier though, 2 games are the most I can see Miami winning.
The final 4 is as far as they can realistically go.
Pittsburgh #11 Seed Midwest
Pittsburgh had a gutty win Tuesday without Fredriko Frediko against Mississippi State. Without him though it is hard to see Pitt getting past a solid Iowa State team. Now if he’s healthy Pitt can shoot lights out at times, and could knock off Iowa State and Xavier. Then with Texas waiting, that’s probably too tall a task. It would take a couple of upsets, but with a break or two Pittsburgh could reach the Sweet 16.
Sweet 16 is as far as they can realistically go.
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