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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DAYTON, OH – NOVEMBER 30: Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Abdul Ado (24) and Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (11) celebrate after gaining a six point lead in the final seconds during a game between the Dayton Flyers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on November 30, 2018 at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

East Region – San Jose, CA (Friday, March 22)

5 Mississippi State vs. 12 Liberty

Taking the Liberty Flames over the Mississippi State Bulldogs is going to be a popular upset pick in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Not only is it in that 5-12 matchup that everyone always seems to like in that regard, but this is a stout Liberty defense that loves to muck things up and slow the game down, which is exactly what Quinndary Weatherspoon and Mississippi State don’t want to do when they’re out on the floor.

Despite the contrasting styles and the issues that could create, the Bulldogs feel like the better pick here, going against the grain of the popular upset. Weatherspoon is clearly the best player in this matchup and Mississippi State can attack from so many different ways that Liberty isn’t going to have enough answers. Expect a close one, but the Bulldogs prevail.

Pick: Mississippi State

4 Virginia Tech vs. 13 Saint Louis

Just like their Atlantic-10 counterparts in the East Region, the VCU Rams, the Saint Louis Billikens present a tough matchup based on what they bring to the table defensively. However, they have a bit more trouble scoring the ball, which doesn’t bode well for them going into this matchup with the Virginia Tech Hokies, who also happen to be getting their best player, point guard Justin Robinson, back in the fold for March Madness.

Considering that the Billikens were blown out by Florida State to the tune of a 22-point loss earlier in the season, this seems as if it should be a breeze for the Hokies to take this one and advance to the next round. They have enough weapons between Robinson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kerry Blackshear Jr. to attack the defense and make Saint Louis have a nightmare trying to keep up.

Pick: Virginia Tech

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