THIS. IS. MARCH.
We surveyed a panel of Trainwreck Sports contributors on their BEST BETS to cut down the nets in Indy this year. After the first round, we’ll go through the Bracket Busters that you should hitch your wagon to the Sweet 16 and beyond.
All odds are via Vegas Insider
WEST REGION
Gonzaga (+200) – 6 votes
I mean this isn’t a surprise, right? The Zags have been the best team in College Basketball for three years now and it seems like the collective country is all aboard the bandwagon hoping the Zags finally pull off their first National Championship.
They have the best starting 5 in the NCAA. They are experienced, lethal from every position, and have a pretty easy road in the West region. They’ve already defeated Iowa and Kansas this year, and it doesn’t look like there’s a GREAT bracket buster candidate that will be able to play with the Zags. This is a lock. Book it ASAP.
The bracket was laid out weird this year. But, when you dig a little deeper it makes sense. With the lack of non-conference matchups, there was a lack of mid-majors who had a chance to get Quad-1 victories over major conference schools.
So if you notice, the committee took favor in picking average teams from major conferences over picking a more unknown mid-major due to their strength of schedule.
For example, VCU could easily have been A-10 champion and still probably would have only got a 9 seed. I’m not saying there is a problem with how the committee decided to do this. But, it’s an incredibly tough year to decipher who’s truly good in college basketball. Just a note when you are looking at futures.
SOUTH REGION
Baylor (+500) – 3 votes
Ohio State (+1600) – 3 votes
The world deserves the cancelled Baylor-Gonzaga game from earlier in the year to end up the National Championship.
Baylor is one of the best offensive teams in the country, shooting over 40% from 3-point line and over 50-% from the field for the season. They can do EVERYTHING on the offensive side of the ball. They’ve been dominant in the Big-12 which is one of the best conferences in college basketball this year. It would be dumb to bet against them.
BUT if you want to, bet on the Buckeyes. They can’t play a lick of defense, but they are an electric offensive team when fully healthy and can out-score anyone in the bracket. They would be a fun team to bet on that might flame out in the second round. Big boom or bust potential.
The Buckeyes would’ve been a #1 seed if they didn’t lose a heart-breaker in overtime to Illinois. Baylor could end up blowing them out if they play each other later on, but the Buckeyes can beat any team in the country on the right day.
MIDWEST REGION
Illinois (+700) – 4 votes
Oklahoma State (+1600) – 2 votes
Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn might be the best duo in all of this bracket. Dosunmu is an electric guard, he reminds me of Coby White in his prime at UNC. He’s quick and can get to the rim at will.
Kofi Cockburn is an absolute force. He’s a legit 7-footer who is going to create a ton of matchup problems for any team they face in the tourney. Now, is Illinois slightly overrated? Do they really deserve the 1 seed over Ohio State and Iowa?
They certainly got a bump from their conference tourney run, which is always something that I worry about coming into March. But this team has the players to compete with anyone in the country.
Now for my pick. Oklahoma State. For one reason. Cade. Cunningham.
I have never been more sure of an NBA prospect in my life and I will put that on the record. The only two guys I’ve felt more sure about turning into an NBA Superstar the last few years are Ben Simmons and Luka Doncic. Seriously, that’s the level of talent Cunningham shows.
He can do everything on the court. His shot could use a little work, but he is one of the best passers in college basketball and finds ways to impact the game every time on the floor. When he’s on, Oklahoma State has a chance to win any game they’re in, including out-dueling Dosunmu and Cockburn in a potential Sweet-16 matchup.
EAST REGION
Alabama (+1600) – 5 votes
Texas (+2000), Michigan (+600) – 1 vote
If this region was the College Football Playoff ESPN or CBS would be salivating. All the big name Football schools topping this region reinforces my point that this bracket was clearly made for TV in mind and nothing else. Not complaining, but when you look at the teams here you can see the trend.
Our survey features 4 votes for Bama to move onto the Final Four. Might be some Buffalo Nate Oats bias? Possibly, but this team is legit. They are the most athletic team in the bracket and Oats has brought his offensive philosophy from Buffalo down to Tuscaloosa and they are a true power who isn’t going anywhere in the hierarchy of college hoops.
Michigan is going to miss Livers and it remains to be seen how much his absence will affect their title hopes. Also, facing LSU/St. Bonaventure in the second round could spell doom for the Wolverines. Both those teams have what it takes to make a Cinderella run and could surprise the #1 seed.
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