The 2019 Men's College
(Division 1) basketball tourney is set for March
19-April 8, 2019.
The first full round (64) starts on March 21, 2019.
Welcome to KJ's round-by-round
prediction of the Tourney. This page hosts the ROUND OF 32 matchups.
EAST REGION
| #1 Duke |
<<< Predict |
#9 Central Florida |
| Synopsis:
Duke had a bit of trouble against NDSU in the first half before pulling
away to win their game. UCF faced a slugfest against VCU for about a
half before gaining a small lead that slowly expanded to a 15 point
win. While UCF will be tougher to beat than NDSU, Duke is still a
strong favorite to win this game. |
| #2 Michigan State |
<<< Predict |
#10 Minnesota |
| Synopsis:
MSU had their hands full, facing a surprisingly strong Bradley team
that challenged the Spartans to the last few minutes before MSU managed
to wrap up the win (and avoid a second 15-2 upset after their collapse
against Middle Tennesee in 2016. Minnesota should provide a bit of a
challenge, but Sparty should get through just fine. |
| #3 LSU |
Predict >>> |
#6 Maryland |
| Synopsis:
Yale was considered a trendy #14 pick to upset LSU and after nearly
erasing a massive deficit, fell short by 5 against LSU. Maryland fought
a resilient Belmont team that took the entire game to finally get ahead
of the Bruins for good. Both have shown their weaknesses, but Maryland
is a stronger team than Yale. Maryland should bring the troubled Tigers
season to an end. |
| #4 Virginia Tech |
<<< Predict |
#12 Liberty |
| Synopsis:
The Hokies had a interesting game (but still won fairly easily) against
St. Louis while Liberty won a 12-5 upset in the last minutes against
Mississippi State. The Hokies seem like the stronger team, and they
should get one more game here to get the chance to face Duke. |
WEST REGION
| #1 Gonzaga |
<<< Predict |
#9 Baylor |
| Synopsis:
Baylor won a knockdown drag out game against the Syracuse Orange, and
face the #1 Zags. The Zags have had interesting collapses in the
tournament, but the first round Zags that showed up were not the ones
that collapsed against Saint Mary's College. The Zags survive at least
one more game. |
| #2 Michigan |
<<< Predict |
#10 Florida |
| Synopsis:
Florida surprised the Nevada Wolfpack, winning a shot to go against the
Wolverines. The Wolverines are moving on all cylinders and easily
bested the Griz of Montana. The Wolverines should win this one. |
| #3 Texas Tech |
<<< Predict |
#6 Buffalo |
| Synopsis:
Both these teams easily won their opening round games, setting up a
nice 3-6 matchup. Tech will have their hands full, but should get past
the Bulls. |
| #4 Florida State |
<<< Predict |
#12 Murray State |
| Synopsis:
Murray State put on an absolute clinic winning a emphatic 12-5 upset
against Marquette that make those 12-seeds trendy for upset picks.
Florida State had a challenge against Vermont, but eventually pulled
away at the end. Murray State should stay in it until late, but the
Seminoles probably win here. |
SOUTH REGION
| #1 Virginia |
<<< Predict |
#9 Oklahoma |
| Synopsis:
Virginia was again flirting with losing against a #16 seed before
Gardner-Webb ran out of gas and the Cavaliers woke up from autopilot to
win. Oklahoma will be a tougher team, but UVA probably has learned
their lesson enough to get one more win. |
| #2 Tennessee |
<<< Predict |
#10 Iowa |
| Synopsis:
Tennessee beat Colgate, but Colgate was on fire and threatened to end
the Vols season. Iowa made short work of Cincy, leading to this
matchup. Iowa will be a tough out, but the Vols should endure and
withstand the Hawkeye's challenge. |
| #3 Purdue |
<<< Predict |
#6 Villanova |
| Synopsis:
Villanova is the defending champion and is still in it to defend, but
faced a nasty challenge from the Saint Mary's College Gaels. Purdue had
a challenge for a bit against Old Dominion but finally became the first
team in five years to escape the Conference USA upset special.
Looks like Villanova's tourney defense ends here. |
| #12 Oregon |
<<< Predict |
#13 UC Irvine |
| Synopsis:
Oregon was another 12 seed upsetting a 5-seed, but UC Irvine shredded
numerous brackets (including mine, to a limited extent) by knocking out
K-State, earning the Anteaters their first NCAA basketball tourney win.
Oregon has the edge, but only just. |
MIDWEST REGION
| #1 UNC |
<<< Predict |
#9 Washington |
| Synopsis:
UNC and Washington won their games fairly comfortably, setting this
matchup. UNC should continue their winning ways, albeit not by the
margin they beat Iona by. |
| #2 Kentucky |
Predict >>> |
#7 Wofford |
| Synopsis:
Kentucky easily dispatched the Abilene Christian Wildcats while the
Wofford Terriers faced a tough Seton Hall team that gave them 30
minutes of heck before Wofford finally pulled away in the last ten
minutes. However, Kentucky seemed a bit suspect leading up to the
tourney, and Wofford proved they will be a tough seven seed to beat. I
think Wofford surprises and gets past this first weekend. |
| #3 Houston |
<<< Predict |
#11 Ohio State |
| Synopsis:
Houston had little trouble beating Georgia State, while Ohio State
managed to squeak by Iowa State (tearing another hole in brackets).
Houston should get by the Buckeyes, but The Ohio State should make it a
tough match. |
| #4 Kansas |
Predict >>> |
#5 Auburn |
| Synopsis:
Northeastern promised so much, but just couldn't show up against
Kansas. That being said, Kansas' play this year is suspect, and Auburn
survived a last minute surge by New Mexico State to get here. Kansas
hasn't had a tough test this tourney, but now they will. And Auburn
will pull the upset. |
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