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NCAA Tournament Picks 2016: First Four

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Mar 14, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Florida Gulf Coast Eagles guard Julian DeBose (3) shoots during a practice day before the First Four of the NCAA men
Mar 14, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Florida Gulf Coast Eagles guard Julian DeBose (3) shoots during a practice day before the First Four of the NCAA men /
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Mar 9, 2016; Bethlehem, PA, USA; Holy Cross Crusaders forward Marcellis Perkins (14) celebrates after defeating the Lehigh Mountain Hawks 59-56 during the Patriot League final at Stabler Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Bethlehem, PA, USA; Holy Cross Crusaders forward Marcellis Perkins (14) celebrates after defeating the Lehigh Mountain Hawks 59-56 during the Patriot League final at Stabler Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

West Region 16-seed: Holy Cross vs. Southern, Wednesday 6:40 p.m. ET

In the other 16-seed First Four game, Holy Cross will be taking on Southern for the right to play Oregon on Friday.

Holy Cross had a miracle run in the Patriot League tournament. After going 14-19 in the regular season, including losing 9 of their last 11 games, they reeled off four straight wins in their conference tournament. Three of the four games were decided by 5 points or less.

The Crusaders are led by junior forward Malachi Alexander who can strike it from three. He averages 1.4 three-pointers made per game at 43-percent. His play in the Patriot League tournament was crucial in getting this far as he put up three 20-plus point games.

Southern had a better regular season, finishing 22-12 and 4th in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. They defeated Alabama State, Texas Southern and Jackson State to get to the Big Dance after losing four of their last five games.

The Jaguars are led by leading scorers Adrian Rogers and Trelun Banks. If they can work the three-ball against Holy Cross, it may be enough to pull off the win.

This should be a close one, but with Holy Cross playing by far their best basketball of the season, they should keep things going here.

Prediction: Holy Cross 71, Southern 65

Next: Michigan vs. Tulsa

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