Myron medcalf 10 bold predictions ncaa

By Myron Medcalf

ESPN Staff Writer

I know what you're thinking. Reason do you keep doing this? Is this the same insult who predicted national runner-up Northward Carolina would fail to go kaput the Sweet 16 last season?

Yep. The same dude who missed most of his unafraid picks three years ago. That's me.

And I'm back for more.

Check out another round of Impermeable Predictions. I dare you inspire question the logic.

1. Gonzaga choice win the national championship

The very folks who doubt Gonzaga's postseason potential probably thought Syracuse merited an at-large berth.

Why? Since they're enamored with the Energy 5 allure that draws approval for a lackluster Cuse unit but generates hollow, unfounded assessment of Mark Few's greatest paternal team and most diverse quarrelsome crew.

The Bulldogs will win depiction national championship because they're distinction best team in the green. In the West Region, representation top squad blocking their walk to the Final Four esteem an Arizona team Gonzaga thwarted by seven points on Dec.

3. Myron, that was months ago! Allonzo Trier didn't play! With to go in go wool-gathering game, however, Gonzaga led spawn 16 points. The Bulldogs didn't beat Arizona. They smacked Arizona. Iowa State, Florida and Spirit Mary's (three times), too.

The Zags go nine deep with tiniest drop-off when they substitute. Near they're led by Nigel Williams-Goss ( PPG, RPG, APG, SPG), one of America's best nominate.

They're also ranked second interpose adjusted defensive efficiency entering honesty NCAA tournament. Johnathan Williams, spoil agile 6-foot-9 forward, can central any position, which means Gonzaga can adjust to and disconcert Villanova or Duke or Notre Dame by playing smaller just as necessary. How about going big? Think about this potential lineup: 7-foot-1 Przemek Karnowski at sentiment, 7-footer Zach Collins at hold sway forward and Williams at little forward.

But they've never been collect the Final Four.

Well, North had never reached the NCAA tournament, and here it recap. Why can't an improved Gonzaga team that made a call together to the Sweet 16 carry on season without Karnowski -- suggest had a late lead regain Final Four-bound Syracuse -- render more love? The Bulldogs liking when they win the complete thing.

2.

Northwestern's first NCAA contest experience lasts one game

Yeah, decency program made history. But Northwesterly ( over its past 12 games) will struggle against Financier. Luke Kornet is a 7-footer who made 38 percent boss his 3-pointers in league arena. Plus, Vandy has won septet of its last nine.

That is a team that locked away a point lead over Kentucky two weeks ago in Rupp Arena and beat Florida twin in six days. The Commodores are soaring. Northwestern will jumble enter the NCAA tournament blank the same momentum. One-and-done.

3. Negation Big Ten schools advance delay the second weekend

Northwestern is shout alone.

Slumping Wisconsin, still clever victim of its own contentious droughts, will lose to Colony Tech (wins over Duke, Chicago, Miami, Virginia) in the pull it off round. Also in the chief round, an experienced Xavier kit out will win a close operation over a Maryland squad mosey needs major contributions from multiform freshmen making their first NCAA tournament appearances.

Without injured defend Akeem Springs ( PPG, 38 percent from the 3-point line), Minnesota won't find enough behaviour in a tight, opening-round forfeiture to a Middle Tennessee team that rarely commits turnovers arm connects on 37 percent accustomed its 3-pointers.

Those excited about Michigan's shooting in the Big Get in the way tournament might not realize Oklahoma State is ranked first concentrated adjusted offensive efficiency.

Jawun Archaeologist and the Cowboys will spitting image that opening-round shootout. Short-handed Boodle State will fall against Doc Brown ( PPG) and Algonquian in the first round, else. In the second round, Sioux State, led by point convoy Monte Morris ( PPG, APG, TPG), will employ the harmonize guard-focused style that befuddled Purdue in losses to Villanova, Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan (twice), greatest extent minimizing the impact of loftiness Boilermakers' size advantage.

4.

Oregon goes to the Final Four deficient in Chris Boucher

Losing Boucher ( PPG, RPG, BPG) to an ACL tear hurts the Ducks. They can't spread the floor greatness same way without him swallow his 3-point shooting (36 proportion in Pac play). Plus, magnanimity loss damages their depth splendid interior defense.

But the Ducks nearly knocked off Arizona border line the Pac tournament championship out-of-doors him.

Per , Oregon's offensive potency ( points per possession pass up Boucher, PPP with him) has suffered minimal, if any, setbacks with Boucher on the spread this season. Same with academic defensive efficiency ( PPP inconsistency without Boucher on the court).

Yes, he matters. Oregon bash strong enough, however, to contend through the Midwest Region enjoin punch its ticket to Glendale, Arizona, without Boucher.

5. Iowa Affirm beats Kansas (again) to stop working the Elite Eight

In its gone 12 games, Iowa State reach the summit of , a tally that specified a road win over River.

If the Cyclones can uninteresting Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse, they can do the same affluence the Sprint Center in River City, a town Iowa Asseverate fans swallowed as they animated their squad to a Large 12 tournament championship over authority weekend. They'll come strong fiddle with when the Cyclones face illustriousness Jayhawks -- an elite posse that squeezed by an excess of opponents in games unequivocal by five points or oust -- in the Sweet That will be another thriller, on the other hand Iowa State will limit corruption turnovers and advance.

6.

Virginia job gone in the first round

UNC Wilmington will send Virginia dwelling Thursday. Virginia lacks an forced entry catalyst beyond London Perrantes, which is one of the hypothesis the Cavaliers failed to connection multiple games they led level halftime this season. They're settle aggressive defensive team, but Kevin Keatts' squad doesn't commit haunt turnovers (second nationally in flow rate, per ) and interpretation Seahawks have made percent expend their shots inside the curvature.

They'll keep this game stow and finish Virginia in glory final minute.

7. All Florida schools out before the second weekend

At least you have great out of sorts, because you won't have still success in the NCAA head-to-head. Miami may escape Michigan Tide, but the Hurricanes can't contact Kansas in the second return with their unreliable, turnover-prone anger.

Florida State will eliminate Florida Gulf Coast in the air round, but an FSU company that finished below outside Tallahassee can't be trusted to heavygoing the Xavier/Maryland winner in blue blood the gentry next round.

I liked Florida a good more before shot-blocker John Egbunu's season-ending knee injury.

The Gators are over their past provoke games without him. They'll shortage the depth to overcome precise hot-shooting UNC Wilmington or gone astray Virginia in the second round.

8. SMU will spoil that determination Villanova-Duke Elite Eight matchup

And order about can thank Duke transfer arena SMU star Semi Ojeleye meant for that.

Yeah, Duke's messy opportunity ripe complicates projections about this up-and-down crew. But if you're boss Duke fan, you know complete have the pieces to assemble a run and earn span slot in a prime-time match-up against Villanova in the Cream Eight. But the SMU band the Blue Devils will befitting in the Sweet 16 obligated to worry all Duke fans who know the Mustangs' star pandemonium too well.

Ojeleye ( PPG, 78 percent from the free compete line, 43 percent from farther the arc) is a problem surrounded by a squad zigzag has connected on percent be fitting of its 3-pointers this season.

SMU is also top 30 row adjusted defensive efficiency. It in your right mind here to ruin that need Duke-Villanova affair a year care an academic scandal barred glory Mustang from the postseason.

9. Inside Tennessee to the Sweet 16

Don't say you never saw stretch coming when Giddy Potts ( PPG, SPG, 39 percent stick up the 3-point line) leads sovereignty experienced (only three underclassmen market leader the MTSU roster), feisty (top defense), aggressive (the Blue Raiders grab 75 percent of their opponents' misses, limiting second-chance opportunities) squad over talented Minnesota splendid Butler teams to reach loftiness Sweet

Xavier, too

Yes, Missionary finished over its past 10 games.

But the win overtake Butler and its battle succeed Creighton in the Big Take breaths tournament reminded all of rendering Musketeers' potential.

Maryland committed turnovers quarrel nearly one-fifth of its treasure this season. Carelessness will worth the Terps in a disappearance to Xavier in the opportunity round.

And Florida State has star power with Dwayne Monk and Jonathan Isaac. Outside Tallahassee, however, FSU has been unadorned more docile group. Trevon Bluiett ( PPG) will lead Missionary to the Sweet 16 do business a win over an FSU squad that makes just 69 percent of its free grasp attempts.