2018 NCAA Tournament: Tuesday First Four Predictions
The 2018 NCAA tournament is here! While most don’t pay attention to the First Four, these points still count in nearly every round by round bracket. You can get all of the round by round picks here, along with my picks for every region in the coming days. Let’s get this started!
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As usual, the First Four takes place in Dayton every year. We have four 16 seeds and four 11 seeds this season. Those 11 seed games are going to be some good ones!
We will take a look at who got here, how they got here, and what their tournament history is. That way we can give you all of the little tidbits to try and make the best pick you can.
LIU-Brooklyn (18-16) vs. Radford (22-12):
LIU-Brooklyn:
Tournament record: 0-6
Tournament appearance: 7th
Last appearance: 2013
Mascot: Blackbirds
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Record vs. tournament teams: 0-0
LIU was able to knock off top seeded Wagner in the NEC tournament final. The Blackbirds also have the dubious distinction of having the worst record in this year’s tournament. That isn’t to say that LIU is a bad team. Joel Hernandez and Juan Agosto in particular are fun to watch. Raiquan Clark could be a load to handle for Radford in the middle.
Radford:
Tournament record: 0-2
Tournament appearance: 3rd
Last appearance: 2009
Mascot: Highlanders
Location: Radford, VA
Record vs. tournament teams: 0-3
Radford is more tested, having lost to Ohio State, Nevada, and Virginia Tech back in December. Radford beat top seed Liberty in the Big South final on a buzzer beater. That was the official beginning of March Madness. Will the luster wear off after nearly two weeks?
Radford has suffered two blowout losses, but they get a shot at a tournament win here. Ed Polite Jr. can do everything for the Highlanders, and he usually does. If LIU can find a way to slow him down, they will get their first tournament win. If not, the balanced attack of LIU can be too much to handle.
Most think that since Radford is more tested that they should be the favorite here. I don’t necessarily subscribe to that. I like the well rounded team that LIU is, but Ed Polite is going to be fun to watch regardless.
My pick: LIU
St. Bonaventure (25-7) vs. UCLA (21-11):
St. Bonaventure:
Tournament record: 6-8
Tournament appearance: 7th
Last appearance: 2012
Mascot: Bonnies
Location: Olean, NY
Record vs. tournament teams: 3-4
The Bonnies lost to Davidson in the A10 tournament, but were still rewarded with an at large berth to this year’s dance. You can’t say that they didn’t deserve it!
Believe it or not, St Bonaventure has actually made a Final Four. It was way back in 1970. One first four team always makes a run. Will it be the Bonnies this year? They certainly have their hands full with UCLA.
UCLA:
Tournament record: 105-41
Tournament appearance: 49th
Last appearance: 2017
Mascot: Bruins
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Record vs. tournament teams: 2-4
The only tournament team that UCLA took down out of conference was Kentucky, who was ranked seventh at the time. It’s fair to believe that they got in solely on that win alone. The win in Tucson didn’t hurt either. I’m not saying that UCLA shouldn’t be here. They are a solid team, and Aaron Holiday is going to get ratings.
It’s not like Holiday is a one man gang though. Kris Wilkes is a good player as well, and Thomas Welsh averaged a double-double. The size of UCLA and the all around great play of Holiday is going to be tough for the Bonnies to get by.
My pick: UCLA
Next: DraftKings NBA picks March 13
Stay tuned for the rest of the NCAA tournament picks! We are in for a fun week!