By Zach Waltz
Sports Assignment Editor
March Madness is underway, and this year it looks to be even more thrilling and off-the-wall than last year.
This year, Florida, Arizona, Wichita State and Virginia were named the first seeds in the South, West, Midwest and East brackets, respectively.
Florida won the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with a final record of 32-2, its last loss coming in early December to UConn.
Arizona finished with a record of 30-4 in the Pacific 12. However, they lost the Pac-12 championship to fourth-seeded UCLA (26-8). Wichita State, perhaps the most controversial first seed, went 34-0 on the season in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). Due to their strength of schedule, most believe that Wichita State’s undefeated record does not entitle them to a first seed.
After going to the Final Four last year, the Shockers have high expectations for this year’s tournament. Lastly, the Virginia Cavaliers (28-6) snagged the final first seed after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
In this year’s tournament, no team is a sure win. While the general consensus is the first seeds are the best teams in the tournament, there are a few second seeds and even some third seeds that could have deserved a first seed this year.
These dark horses are lurking in each bracket, making each game highly competitive. For example, the Syracuse Orange went the majority of the season undefeated in the grueling ACC. However after losing four of their last six games, they dropped down in the rankings, placing them as a third seed in the stacked South bracket.
In the East bracket, the Michigan State Spartans (26-8) received a four seed after an injury-plagued regular season.
The Duke Blue Devils (26-8) come into the Midwest bracket as a third seed, an unfamiliar feeling for Coach Mike Krzyzewski because Duke is traditionally a first or second seed. As a third seed, they should be poised to make a run to at least the elite eight.
Creighton, led by scoring fiend Doug McDermott, comes into the West bracket as a third seed after going 26-7 in the Big East conference.
This year’s tournament is one of the deepest fields in recent memory. Florida has its work cut out for them in the South bracket, as it is easily the deepest bracket this year.
Some key teams that could potentially make a run are ninth-seed Pittsburgh, sixth-seed Ohio State, fifth-seed VCU, fourth-seed UCLA, third-seed Syracuse and second-seed Kansas.
However, my pick to win the South is Florida. While it may be cliché to pick the first seed, Florida, led by seniors Casey Prather, Scottie Wilbekin and Patric Young and two-time-champion Coach Billy Donovan, is the only first seed I have winning their bracket. Their offense may be lacking, but their defense is among the elite in the NCAA.
In the West bracket, second-seed Wisconsin from the Big 10 could be in a position to go far. However, other teams such as ninth-seed Oklahoma State, fourth-seed San Diego State and third-seed Creighton are also completely capable of winning the bracket.
While Arizona was ranked first in the country for part of the regular season, the absence of injured forward Brandon Ashley will be too much for the Wildcats to win the bracket. I have the Creighton Bluejays winning the West over Arizona and making the Final Four.
While Wichita State played outstanding basketball all season, I think that the competition level in the tournament is much more difficult than the MVC.
With powerhouses Duke, Michigan, Louisville and Kentucky all in the Midwest, there’s no way Wichita State will make it into the Final Four.
Led by Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III, the Michigan Wolverines have all the makings of a Final Four team after winning the Big 10 regular season title. For the Midwest, it’s a toss-up between Michigan and defending-champions Louisville to win the bracket.
With second-seed Villanova struggling to beat ranked opponents recently, the East bracket could see third-seed Iowa State make the Elite Eight. However with the return of forward Adreian Payne from injury, fourth-seed Michigan State will be able to triumph over Virginia and win the East.
This leaves my Final Four as Florida, Creighton, Michigan and Michigan State. Oddly enough, I have both Michigan and Michigan State winning their Final Four games, making the championship Michigan-heavy this year.
Finally for my champion this year, I believe the Wolverines will take the title. Despite forward Mitch McGary being out due to injury, Coach John Beilein will be able to ride the outstanding play of Stauskas and Robinson to go on a run and win the championship.
Zach Waltz is the sports assignment editor for The Bona Venture. His email is waltzzd12@bonaventure.edu
