2017 NCAA Tournament: East Region Second Round Predictions

The question most heard this morning around the water cooler? How’s your brackets? Not too bad, actually. Last year I lost my pick for champion (Michigan State) on the first day. This year my pick didn’t play the first day, so I was safe!

(1)Villanova vs. (8)Wisconsin:

Mount St. Mary’s was able to hang with the Champions for a half and a little bit of the second half, but they couldn’t stop Donte DiVincenzo. The true freshman has put up some big numbers before this season, but it was mostly reserved for St. John’s! It’s not like the Wildcats didn’t need him though. Kris Jenkins was just 2-13 from the floor, but that is the mark of a champion. If the star has an off game, someone else picks the team up.

Wisconsin survived a really good day by Zach LeDay to advance to the second round. The Badgers are another underseeded team if they play like they are capable of. Bronson Koenig had a big game with 28 points, fueled by a school record eight 3 pointers. They have the size to give Nova some problems.

Wisconsin is the only team in the country that has made three straight Sweet Sixteen appearances. Seniors Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes have been a big part of all of them. Kris Jenkins will need to hit some shots in this one, or Nova’s title defense could come to a screeching halt. Wisconsin is good enough to stop them.

Few thought Villanova could win last year’s title because of the lack of an inside presence. They still are a guard-centric team, but Jenkins is going to be a big part of this game even if he doesn’t hit shots. I tend to think that the talent and consistency of Villanova win this, but it’s going to be close. However, if you are one that sticks to a one seed losing in the first weekend, Nova has the toughest matchup.

Pick: Villanova

(4)Florida vs. (5)Virginia:

Florida had all they wanted from East Tennessee State. They needed a career-high 24 from Devin Robinson to advance. Kevarrius Hayes, who is filling in for John Egbunu, set a Florida record for steals in a NCAA Tournament game with six. The Buccaneers just couldn’t get much from anyone besides T.J. Cromer. They came out of this looking like a well rounded team even though leading scorer KeVaughn Allen struggled.

Virginia was the trendy pick to get ousted because they played a very good UNC-Wilmington team. the Seahawks built a 15 point lead late in the first half only to see senior guard London Perrantes chip it away. Perrantes had 24 points, but it was the career-high 23 from Marial Shayok that make the difference for the Cavs.

Virginia has had problems scoring this year, which is why many were surprised at their 15 point comeback. They succeeded in turning over the Seahawks enough to take the lead back. Kasey Hill will need to take care of the ball for Florida to have a shot, but they need KeVaughn Allen in this one. They wont be able to survive without him. Virginia can match up with Robinson. This just feels like a game that Kasey Hill will have a big impact on, for better or worse. I just trust the Virginia veterans a little more

Pick: Virginia

(3)Baylor vs. (11)USC:

Baylor was finally able to exorcise the demons of first round losses. New Mexico State actually took the lead at halftime with a last second three. The long ball kept them in the game for a half, but Baylor locked down defensively in the second half. They outrebounded the Aggies 39-27, and blocked seven shots.

USC was dominated for most of the game by the fast-paced Mustangs, but they led when it counted. At the end. Semi Ojeleye did everything he could, posting a double-double with 24 points, but Shake Milton’s floater at the end just missed. They got the shot they wanted, it just didn’t fall.

SMU led by double digits several times during the game, but a big game from Elijah Stewart and a couple of big shots by Boatwright gave the Trojans another come from behind victory.

If USC gets behind double digits in this one, they are done for. Baylor is too big and too tough on defense. That said, the Trojans may not get that far behind. Baylor isn’t the explosive team that the Mustangs are.

If tournament history is any indicator, that 11 seed in the play-in game is a bowling ball through that part of the bracket. Is USC this year’s buster? Baylor is the more talented team, but their tournament success consists of one game. USC has already pulled two major comebacks!

Pick: Baylor

(2)Duke vs. (7)South Carolina:

Duke made short work of Troy. The game was rarely close, not even at the beginning. Freshman Jayson Tatum posted a double-double, and Grayson Allen posted a team-high 21 points off the bench. Duke was strong, efficient, and just bullied the undersized Trojans.

South Carolina and Marquette were engaged in one of the more entertaining games of the tournament. Until they weren’t. Sindarius Thornwell took the place by storm down the stretch, turning a close, exciting game into a blowout rarely seen in a 7-10 matchup. Marquette turned the ball over a staggering 19 times, nearly half of those in the last quarter of the game.

The Gamecocks hadn’t won a NCAA Tournament game in 44 years. Alex English was on the last team that won a tournament game for South Carolina. Coach Frank Martin promised that it wouldn’t be another 44 years.

So, we don’t get to see Coach K match wits with his former point guard Steve Wojciechowski. What we do get is Duke at South Carolina. The fans came up in droves from Columbia, and they will again on Sunday taking this from what could be a laugher into what could be a major upset.

Pick: South Carolina

Next: How Did I Do? Check Out My Picks From Before The Madness!

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