NCAA Tournament 2016: Picking the field by mascots
South Region – First Round
No. 16 Austin Peay Governors over No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks
Welcome to upset central, but I just can’t take a bird—even one likely having talons—to take down a human being. Moreover, I imagine the mascot at a 18th or 19th century Governor exercising his right to bare arms, so that works in Austin Peay’s favor as well.
No. 9 UConn Huskies over No. 8 Colorado Buffaloes
Speed kills and I think that happens here with the Huskies being too quick for the Buffaloes
No. 5 Maryland Terrapins over No. 12 South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Going back on the speed corollary, this matchup comes down to a Terrapin having a distinct striking advantage, even if he’s slightly slower. Speed doesn’t matter if there’s no damage behind it.
No. 4 Cal Golden Bears over No. 13 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Granted, this is a warrior armed with weapons, but I imagine a fight being in close quarters and a bear has the advantage there in a big way.
No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores over No. 6 Arizona Wildcats
The Commodores advance out of the First Four over the Wichita State Shockers (harvesters) and, with a size advantage and having weapons, take down the Wildcats.
No. 14 Buffalo Bulls over No. 3 Miami Hurricanes
A Hurricane can’t actually fight, so by default the Bulls advance here.
No. 7 Iowa Hawkeyes over No. 10 Temple Owls
Two birds of prey doing battle, but the attack of the Hawkeye seems like it’d be a bit too much for the Owls to handle.
No. 2 Villanova Wildcats over No. 15 UNC Asheville Bulldogs
In a battle between a wild animal and a domesticated one, it’s the Wildcat that uses its natural environment to its advantage and wins.
Next: West Region, First Round