NCAA Tournament 2019: Predicting the perfect March Madness bracket

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: Kyle Guy #5 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts after a play against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: AJ Harris #12 of the New Mexico State Aggies celebrates after hitting a three-pointer against the Grand Canyon Lopes during the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. New Mexico State won 89-57. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) /

Midwest Region – Salt Lake City, UT (Thursday, March 21)

5 Auburn vs. 12 New Mexico State

The Auburn Tigers are as enigmatic as any team in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. At their best, Bruce Pearl’s team could go on a run to the Final Four. At their worst, however, the Tigers could legitimately lose to almost any of the 67 other teams in the tournament field. It all depends on if their shots are falling, which they hope they will be in a tough matchup with the New Mexico State Aggies.

New Mexico State is all about balance with numerous guys playing sizeable roles and, while no one averages more than 11.3 points per game on the team, they have eight players who put up more than 5.5 points per game, an impressive testament to their depth. With that and their rebounding ability, don’t expect Auburn’s hot shooting to continue as they go cold and get upset by the Aggies.

Pick: New Mexico State

4 Kansas vs. 13 Northeastern

Picking the Northeastern Huskies to top a depleted Kansas Jayhawks team is likely going to be an upset in many March Madness brackets, and it’s not hard to see why. Without Lagerald Vick and Udoka Azubuike, Kansas has looked quite pedestrian to finish the 2018-19 season. Moreover, Northeastern is an experienced team that can shoot the daylights out of the ball, hitting on 39 percent of their attempts behind the arc as a team.

While that may be so, the Huskies don’t have an answer for Dedric Lawson, who has stepped up for Kansas with their roster depletions. Furthermore, the Jayhawks still have a ton of high-upside players like Devon Dotson and Quentin Grimes that can show up. It may be a close one, but expect Kansas to pull this one out in the First Round.

Pick: Kansas

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