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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NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 23: Belmont Bruins senior guard Dylan Winder (3) celebrates with fans following his final home game and a 97-75 victory in a game between the Belmont Bruins and SIU Edwardsville Cougars, February 23, 2019 at Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

East Region – Jacksonville, FL (Thursday, March 21)

6 Maryland vs. 11 Belmont

The Maryland Terrapins are one of the toughest teams in the country to peg. Their talent is obvious and undeniable as guard Anthony Cowan Jr., who averaged 16 points, 4.3 assists and 3.7 boards per game this season, and big man Bruno Fernando lead the way for the Terps. However, they were highly inconsistent throughout the entire season, showing great highs and low lows. Now this matchup with a feisty Belmont team makes things interesting for them.

Given the way that Maryland has been all over the place this season, the steady hand that the Bruins offer here is enticing. Dylan Windler may not be more talented that Fernando and Cowan, but he’s the better basketball player and has the better team around him. With that, Belmont is going to not just get out of the First Four, but take it into the Second Round with an upset win over Maryland.

Pick: Belmont

3 LSU vs. 14 Yale

There are several reasons to like this Yale Bulldogs team. While level of competition is a question, the Ivy League champions have some real weapons on their roster, led by guard Miye Oni, who averaged 17.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season. Meanwhile, Jordan Bruner averaged almost a double-double while the Bulldogs shoot 37 percent from 3-point range as a team. All this seems like awful news for the LSU Tigers.

Make no mistake, this might be the best LSU season that we’ve seen in quite some time on the court. Off the court, however, things have been tumultuous at best with head coach Will Wade placed on leave and throwing the team into a turmoil. Given how that led to obvious discomfort within the team and an early exit from the SEC Tournament, that happens again here as the Tigers get knocked off in the First Round.

Pick: Yale

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