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NCAA Tournament picks 2017: Predicting the March Madness bracket

By Cody Williams

Mar 23, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; A view of a March Madness logo on a basketball during practice the day before the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; A view of a March Madness logo on a basketball during practice the day before the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) holds the ball while guarded by West Virginia Mountaineers guard Tarik Phillip (12) during the first half at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) holds the ball while guarded by West Virginia Mountaineers guard Tarik Phillip (12) during the first half at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Midwest Region – Round of 64

1. Kansas vs. 16. NC Central/UC Davis winner

Despite a premature exit from the Big 12 Tournament, Josh Jackson will be back in the fold for the NCAA Tournament and there’s virtually no chance that the Kansas Jayhawks fall to the North Carolina Central Eagles or the UC Davis Aggies.
The Pick: Kansas

8. Miami vs. 9. Michigan State

Miami and Michigan State are relatively well matched, both playing quality defense and average offense. While the presence of Miles Bridges makes me worry a bit, I have a bit more faith in the defense of the Hurricanes. They should be able to stifle Sparty and get the win to advance to play Kansas.
The Pick: Miami

5. Iowa State vs. 12. Nevada

Both the Iowa State Cyclones and Nevada Wolfpack bring a potent offense into March Madness. What separates the two, however, is that Iowa State is solid defensively while Nevada is a train wreck on that end of the floor. Advantage, Cyclones.
The Pick: Iowa State

4. Purdue vs. 13. Vermont

Despite an overall lack of faith in the quality of the Purdue Boilermakers, they’re just a different class of team than the Vermont Catamounts. On both ends of the floor, they have far more talent and skill and should ultimately be able to escape the first round without much of a scare.
The Pick: Purdue

6. Creighton vs. 11. Rhode Island

Earlier in the season, the Creighton Bluejays were a pick for many people as a dark horse in the tournament. However good Justin Patton is, though, not having Maurice Watson has been setting them back and will continue to do so. Therefore, E.C. Matthews and the Rhode Island Rams will pull off the upset.
The Pick: Rhode Island

3. Oregon vs. 14. Iona

Keeping with the theme of devastating injuries to key big men, the loss of Chris Boucher in the Pac-12 Tournament to a torn ACL is brutal for the Oregon Ducks. Though they’re still a talented group, they’re much less so without their veteran big man on the floor. Of course, that still shouldn’t present too much of a problem in getting past Iona.
The Pick: Oregon

7. Michigan vs. 10. Oklahoma State

According to KenPom’s Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, the Oklahoma State Cowboys have the best offense in the country. However, the Michigan Wolverines aren’t far behind, ranking fifth in the same metric. With that said, Michigan has the better defense of the two by a wide margin, thus giving the Wolverines the victory here.
The Pick: Michigan

2. Louisville vs. 15. Jacksonville State

This might wind up being the biggest blowout of the Round of 64. Rick Pitino’s Louisville Cardinals are well above average on both ends of the floor while Jacksonville State is well below average in either respect. Louisville cruises.
The Pick: Louisville

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