Blogs

WEST BRACKET

My Pick: The West bracket features alot of teams that have seen ups and downs in their season with about six teams that could make a legitimate run at the Sweet 16. The team that I like in this bracket is the 3 seeded Pittsburgh Panthers (24-8). The Panthers feature a much younger team but also more athletic team than last year with Brad Wanamaker who averages 12.1 ppg 5.7 rpg and 4.7 apg. The Panthers have a balanced attack of four players all averaging over 10 points per game. One reason I like the Pitt Panthers out of the West bracket as a 3 seed is because they have proven they can play with 1 seed Syracuse (28-4) defeating them by ten earlier this season.

Team to Watch: Though I don't have them advancing through the first round one team in this bracket to keep an eye on would be the 13 seeded Murray State Racers (30-4). They haven't beaten a quality opponent this year but they shoot lights out at 50.3%. They also have a favorable matchup against the 4 seed Vanderbilt Commodores (24-8). If they were to get through the first round they would most likely matchup against an overseeded 5 seed Butler Bulldogs (28-4) team whom has won 20 straight out of the Horizon League. One thing that can work both ways on a team,  as reserve guard Picasso Simmons lost his mom earlier this week who was killed in a car crash.

First Round Upsets: None

Players to Watch: G Andy Rautins (SYR) 11.7 ppg 5.0 apg 39.6  3PT FG%

                                 G-F Gordon Hayward (BUT) 15.4 ppg 8.5 rpg

                                 G Jacob Pullen (KSU) 18.9 ppg 38.4  3PT FG%

                                 G Denis Clemente (KSU) 16.2 ppg 4.2 apg