NCAA Tournament 2016: Picking the field by mascots

Second Round

South Region

No. 16 Austin Peay Governors over No. 9 UConn Huskies
Again, I have to say that I imagine a Governor in this sense as a man from a past time that is armed heavily and carrying a weapon. Though the Huskie may have a more natural advantage, I have Austin Peay staying afloat.

No. 4 Cal Golden Bears over No. 5 Maryland Terrapins
The Terrapin got a bit lucky in the first round, but that won’t be the case against a Golden Bear in the Round of 32.

No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores over No. 14 Buffalo Bulls
Though they aren’t the same by any stretch, there’s a world where you can imagine a Commodore having many of the skills that a bullfighter would. Though it could be close, I have a Commodore going past a Bull.

No. 2 Villanova Wildcats over No. 7 Iowa Hawkeyes
We all know that felines like to hunt birds, so when you put a Wildcat up against a Hawkeye, the advantage goes to the former.

West Region

No. 16 Holy Cross Crusaders over No. 9 Cincinnati Bearcats
It’s really hard to not pick a knight in virtually any fight. Even if a Bearcat were to get a few blows in, the armor and protection is going to be huge in the grand scheme of things, leaving Holy Cross going forward.

No. 4 Duke Blue Devils over No. 5 Baylor Bears
Though the Bear might have the physical advantage here, I have to ultimately push the Blue Devils forward given the reach advantage on the pitchfork and, of course, the supernatural element.

No. 11 Northern Iowa Panthers over No. 14 Green Bay Phoenix
Again with the cats and birds, you have to go with the Panther to take down a Phoenix, even if the latter has the advantage of being mythical and whatnot. Also, no rising from the ashes because that takes time and isn’t like instant revival.

No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners over No. 10 VCU Rams
The Ram probably was a bit fortunate in their first round matchup, but I can’t see a southern settler falling victim in this matchup.

Next: Second Round, East and Midwest Regions