1st Round March Madness Predictions
My Preview Of The First Round Including My Predictions
As March Madness approaches, it is time to fill out a bracket. I will give you helpful hints for the first round here. Join my bracket challenge here. https://play.ncaa.com/mens-bracket-challenge/group/1519182?joinToken=fb554ba32fd92e7b66593477&iid=bcg_share_web_other_group_email
1 UConn vs. 16 Stetson
There isn’t much to talk about here. UConn has been the best team all season, and won’t lose to Stetson unless something crazy happens.
8 FAU vs. 9 Northwestern
I think this will be a pretty good game. FAU and Northwestern have had good seasons, but after FAU’s magical run as a 9 seed last year, I think their 8-seed run starts here. FAU also did not have to face a 1 seed after they beat Memphis. That is because they got to play FDU.
5 SDSU vs. 12 UAB
I don’t even know who UAB is, but they have a nice logo. I’ve taken SDSU in every bracket that I’ve made. I would be shocked if UAB won this.
4 Auburn vs. 13 Yale
Auburn dominated the entirety of the SEC tournament against much better teams. I would also be surprised if the group of 4.0 GPA players beats the SEC champs.
6 BYU vs. 11 Duquense
I picked BYU to win this matchup because they are a better team. We know LeBron is cheering for Duquense, and they have a chance to win this game.
3 Illinois vs. 14 Morehead St.
I have total faith in Illinois this March, and think they can make a long run. Morehead St. doesn’t stand a chance.
7 Washington St. vs. 10 Drake
This is going to be a great game, Washington St and Drake are good teams, but I think Drake will win in a 1 possession game.
2 Iowa St. vs. 15 South Dakota St.
15 seeds have made the Sweet 16 the last 3 years. My prediction: that will continue, just not with South Dakota St. Iowa State was on the verge of a one-seed, but didn’t get one. I think that they win this and not very closely.
1 UNC vs. 16 Wagner
Goodnight Wagner. Hope you enjoyed your first four win.
8 Mississippi State vs. 9 Michigan State
I think that MSU is going to win this game. No not that MSU that MSU. Michigan State was a top 5 preseason ranked team but lost some bad games, but I don’t think they will lose this one.
5 Saint Mary’s vs. 12 GCU
I think Grand Canyon can pull off the upset in this game. Saint Mary’s is coming off a huge win over Gonzaga, but I think that was somewhat lucky, and GCU will put them back in reality.
4 Alabama vs. 13 Charleston
This could be a close game and go either way, but I’m going to take Alabama to win this game.
6 Clemson vs. 11 New Mexico
The Mountain West got screwed with some of their rankings, so I think UNM should have been higher up, so I think New Mexico will prove the committee wrong and win this game.
3 Baylor vs. 14 Colgate
Colgate has the better record (25-9 to 23-10) but Baylor has played better teams. I think Baylor will win this game and not closely.
7 Dayton vs. 10 Nevada
PLEASE SAY NEVADA THE RIGHT WAY! Nevada is the favorite to win this game, so I’m going to pick them. I once again think they should be ranked higher anyway.
2 Arizona vs. 15 Long Beach State
Arizona was a 2 seed last year but lost to 15 Princeton. I think since they lost to a 15 seed last year, they won’t this year.
1 Houston vs. 16 Longwood
Again an easy 1-seed win, but of all the 1v16 games, this is my most likely upset.
8 Nebraska vs. 9 Texas A&M
8 vs 9 games aren’t really upsets, but I think A&M is winning this game.
5 Wisconsin vs. 12 JMU
Unlike
I don’t think that JMU is going all the way. Similar to I do think JMU will beat Wisconsin.4 Duke vs. 13 Vermont
Duke has dominated college basketball for as long as I can remember, so I choose the Blue Devils.
6 Texas Tech vs. 11 NC State
NC State just won the ACC tournament, beating out a 1 seed UNC, so I think they can really do damage in this tournament and bust some brackets.
3 Kentucky vs. 14 Oakland
Kentucky played Saint Peter’s in the first round in 2022 and was stunned. I don’t think they are doing the same thing to a 14 seed this year.
7 Florida vs 10 Colorado
This will be a close game and could go either way. I think that Florida will win this game because Florida has a better seed and I know nothing about the Gators.
2 Marquette vs. 15 Western Kentucky
This is another 2v15 and this is again not the 15 seed in the sweet 16. Marquette should walk away with a win and celebration in the locker room.
1 Purdue vs. 16 Grambling State
Purdue is not losing 1st round to a 16-seed twice in a row. Purdue wins this easily.
8 Utah State vs. 9 TCU
This should end up being a close game, but TCU ends up winning in my bracket.
5 Gonzaga vs. 12 McNeese
Gonzaga has made the Sweet 16 for 9 straight years, and that will end this year. I don’t know who will win this game. I have McNeese in half and Gonzaga in the other half of the brackets. I put McNeese in the bracket that I’m writing about.
4 Kansas vs. 13 Samford
Kansas's top-scoring player is out for the tournament, so I put Samford.
6 South Carolina vs. 11 Oregon
Oregon won the last-ever Pac-12 tournament, therefore I think they will continue their run.
3 Creighton vs. 14 Akron
Akron was basically gifted this automatic bid. Kent State’s player fouled when they were up 1. I think Creighton will win this because they are better. They didn’t win their conference and still go a 3 seed.
7 Texas vs. 10 Colorado State
Colorado State won their first four games to make it here. Texas is a good team, but so is CSU. This will be close, but I think Texas wins this one.
2 Tennessee vs. 15 Saint Peter’s
Saint Peter’s is back as a 15 seed again, and is looking to repeat 2022. I wouldn’t bet on them winning it all though. I have put Saint Peter’s in all 14 brackets I’ve done, but in reality, I think Tennessee will win, look out for very sad or excited notes about this game from me.
That’s it for the first round. Please join my bracket challenge for a shot at a 1-year paid subscription to
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