With the NCAA tournament starting today, here are 3 bold predictions for the tournament. Included you will not find Kentucky as the national champion. Any list that calls Kentucky the national champion a bold prediction, should just be deleted off the internet.
- Witchita State advances to the Elite Eight against Kentucky
Witchita State has a tough road to the Elite Eight, but I believe they will meet Kentucky for a chance at the final four. Wichita State is led by incredible junior guards Fred Van Fleet and Ron Baker. This is a team one year removed from an undefeated regular season, and two years from a Final Four berth. Teams with elite guards succeed in the tournament, and Wichita State has plenty of that. With the experience and talent, along with being underseeded, Wichita State will get the chance for revenge for Kentucky.
- Eastern Washington will beat Georgetown in the first round
For those of you that have never heard of Eastern Washington, they are your typical giant killer. A team full of three point marksmen who can score seemingly at will, they have the third highest scoring offense in the NCAA. The are lead by the nation’s leading scorer, Tyler Harvey who averages 20.8 ppg. Georgetown is an incredibly overseeded team, and has one of the worst three point defenses in the NCAA. I can smell an upset in this game from a mile away, and combined with Georgetown’s history for losing early, Eastern Washington should advance.
- North Carolina will beat Wisconsin in the Sweet Sixteen
Wisconsin is one of the best teams in the nation, this is no knock against them. Teams with elite North Carolina’s season this year has been a roller coaster. Their game game against Notre Dame in the ACC tournament final, showed how their season went. North Carolina is one of the most talented teams in the country, and when on its game, can beat any team in the country. They are lead by superstar guard Marcus Paige, who while inconsistent at times, can score from almost anywhere on the floor. While UNC can beat the best of them, they can also collapse at a moments notice, often times seeming to have a lack of effort. I believe Roy Williams can gear his team up, beat Wisconsin and bust many people’s brackets.