2014 March Madness: East Region Predictions
By TJ Ackerman
Mar 14, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward J.P. Tokoto (13) reacts on the bench in the second half. The Panthers defeated the Tar Heels 80-75 in the quarterfinals of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
SECOND ROUND GAMES (REGION QUARTERFINALS)
(1) Virginia Cavaliers vs. (9) George Washington Colonials
Sunday, March 23rd
Analysis: Virginia has played spectacular this season under Tony Bennett, who will be one of the front runners for Coach of the Year. Ken Pomeroy has UVA listed as a top five team in the country and they should cause some major issues for the Colonials. I expect the Cavs top ranked defense to shut down GW and this one could get ugly quickly.
(12) Harvard Crimson vs. (4) Michigan State Spartans
Saturday, March 22nd
Analysis: Major publications and talking heads throughout the country agree with the Spartans #4 seed, given their struggles throughout the season. However, they enter March Madness as one of the most dangerous teams in the country. They are getting healthy and are fresh off a beat-down of in-state rival Meat Chicken in the Big 10 title game; not to mention they beat #2 seed Wisconsin during their conference tournament run as well. The East region is probably the weakest of the four, and there is a legitimate chance that Michigan State and Tom Izzo make a deep run after ending Harvard’s season.
(6) North Carolina Tar Heels vs. (3) Iowa State Cyclones
Sunday, March 23rd
Analysis: For starters, if you haven’t yet read Tommy Tomlinson’s piece on Dean Smith, you need to do so immediately. Now that I’m finished with my UNC plug, I can move on to Iowa State, a team that I think is poised to make a deep tournament run (especially with overrated Villanova joining them in the bottom half of the bracket). Behind the senior leadership (and play) of Melvin Ejim, the Cyclones should roll over the Tar Heels. Ejim won the AP Big 12 Player of the Year award over two early season favorites, Andrew Wiggins and Marcus Smart. He also went off for 48 points (Big 12 record) and 18 rebounds against TCU!! And if you need anymore convincing, there is also this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=hS3QTt3MW1o
(2) Villanova Wildcats vs. (7) UConn Huskies
Saturday, March 22nd
Analysis: This is a classic dog versus cat match-up, and I’ve already gone off on why I think cats are terrible, selfish, horrible creatures. History will show that dogs always beat cats: in basketball, in life, and in the pursuit of happiness. So rather than get into the nitty-gritty details, let’s just say the Huskies will win and enjoy this awesome dog video:
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