Fansided

2019 NCAA Tournament: Wednesday First Four Predictions

By Mike Marteny

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Zylan Cheatham #45 of the Arizona State Sun Devils is fouled as he shoots against Aric Holman #35 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of a semifinal game of the MGM Resorts Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Zylan Cheatham #45 of the Arizona State Sun Devils is fouled as he shoots against Aric Holman #35 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of a semifinal game of the MGM Resorts Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
first four
DAYTON, OH – MARCH 15: Rashaun Madison #3 of the North Carolina Central Eagles dribbles the ball in the first half against the UC Davis Aggies during the First Four game in the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 15, 2017 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2019 NCAA Tournament: Wednesday First Four Predictions

The 2019 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!

More from College Basketball Odds

As usual, the First Four takes place in Dayton every year. We have four 16 seeds and four 11 seeds again 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.

first four
SPOKANE, WA – NOVEMBER 26: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs drives against Tyson Ward #24 and Vinnie Shahid #0 of the North Dakota State Bison in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center on November 26, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

North Carolina Central (18-15) vs. North Dakota State (18-15):

North Carolina Central:
Tournament record: 0-2
Tournament appearance: 3rd
Last appearance: 2018
Mascot: Eagles
Location: Durham, NC
Record vs. tournament teams: 0-1

The Eagles took down MEAC regular season champion Norfolk State to get their second straight dance invitation. It is also their second straight play in game. This is a team that will try to ugly you up, but that’s not to say they can’t score. Raasean Davis is a load in the middle, and does most everything for the Eagles. This isn’t a team that can score a whole lot on the perimeter. Davis and Jibri Blount do major damage up front.

North Dakota State:
Tournament record: 1-3
Tournament appearance: 4th
Last appearance: 2015
Mascot: Bison
Location: Fargo, ND
Record vs. tournament teams: 0-2

The Bison owe Western Illinois a gift basket, or part of their loot from making the NCAA tournament this year. WIU knocked out the Dauminator and Summit League favorite South Dakota State in the first round. This was a team that the Bison lost to twice this year. They still had to get by a pretty good Omaha team in Sioux Falls to go dancing again though. Vinnie Shahid and Tyson Ward make this team go. You’re going to need good guard play to beat the Bison.

NDSU actually has a tournament win, and it’s not from a play in game. They knocked off Oklahoma as a 12 seed in 2014. I think the Bison get their second tournament win here, spoiling an all-Durham showdown between Duke and North Carolina Central.

My pick: North Dakota State

first four
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 13: Mustapha Heron #14 of the St. John’s Red Storm celebrates in the second half against the DePaul Blue Demons during the first round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 13, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Arizona State(22-10) vs. St. John’s(21-12)

Arizona State:
Tournament record: 13-15
Tournament appearance: 15th
Last appearance: 2014
Mascot: Sun Devils
Location: Tempe, AZ
Record vs. tournament teams: 5-2

The Sun Devils make their first return to the tournament in five years by taking eventual Pac 12 tournament champion Oregon to overtime in the semifinal game. The Sun Devils are a very balanced team. Luguentz Dort, besides the quirky name, is an underrated scorer. Remy Martin may conjure up thoughts of cocktails, but he leaves opponents punch drunk with his passing and scoring combo. Zylan Cheatham is an absolute load up front. He’s probably my favorite one to watch on this team.

St. Johns:
Tournament record: 27-31
Tournament appearance: 29th
Last appearance: 2011
Mascot: Red Storm
Location: New York, NY
Record vs. tournament teams: 5-4

Perhaps the most famous St John’s alum has returned them to the promised land. Chris Mullin returned to coach his former team in 2015, and now the school is reaping the rewards. Mustapha Heron is probably the more heralded player, but Shamorie Ponds is likely the best player on the team. Good guard play can carry a team far in the tournament, but this is a rough matchup for the Red Storm.

Both of these teams are well rounded, but I don’t see where St John’s has anyone that can stop Cheatham. The Sun Devils are going to have problems with the guards, but they have some really good guards of their own. Whatever St John’s can do, Arizona State looks to be able to match them.

My pick: Arizona State

Next. DraftKings NBA picks March 20. dark

Stay tuned for the rest of the NCAA tournament picks! We are in for a fun week!