Fansided

Mythical March Madness: 2020 NCAA Tournament bracket simulation

By Cody Williams

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 27: Obi Toppin #1 of the Dayton Flyers is guarded by Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 27, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 27: Obi Toppin #1 of the Dayton Flyers is guarded by Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 27, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Mythical March Madness, NCAA Tournament (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Mythical March Madness, NCAA Tournament (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Midwest Region – First Round

1 Kansas vs. 16 Siena

Few teams in college basketball have an answer for Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike with the Jayhawks. And it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that Siena is not one of those few teams. Winner: Kansas

8 Houston vs. 9 Marquette

Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars had high hopes for the 2019-20 season and they never realized their potential. That continues as they get into March as Markus Howard and the Golden Eagles have an early exit ready to serve them. Winner: Marquette

5 Auburn vs. 12 Liberty

It was just last year when the Liberty Flames also entered March Madness as a 12-seed and upset Mississippi State. Samir Doughty and Auburn are talented but they aren’t the team that made the Final Four last year. Give me Caleb Homesley and the Flames with an upset for the second-straight year. Winner: Liberty

4 Wisconsin vs. 13 North Texas

For as talented of a player as Mean Green standout, Javon Hamlet is, the Badgers are phenomenally balanced with seven players averaging 8.0 points per game or better. That dispersion pushes Wisconsin to victory in the First Round. Winner: Wisconsin

6 Iowa vs. 11 East Tennessee State

East Tennessee State went 30-4 in the 2019-20 college basketball season and they have a deep, experienced team that can compete with anyone. And as good as Luka Garza has been the Hawkeyes aren’t ready for that balanced attack. Winner: East Tennessee State

3 Duke vs. 14 Belmont

As uninspiring as Duke was this season at times, they still boast a ton of talent with Tre Jones, Vernon Carey Jr. and many more. Belmont could put up a fight against the inconsistent Blue Devils but the Bruins fall as the underdog 14-seed. Winner: Duke

7 Providence vs. 10 Arizona State

Remy Martin and the Sun Devils are capable of pulling off an upset against a Providence Friars club that underperformed. Unfortunately, Arizona State doesn’t have an answer for Alpha Diallo, who carries the Friars to the Second Round. Winner: Providence

2 Kentucky vs. 15 North Dakota State

While the still shocking upset to Evansville has colored the Wildcats’ season, they’ve quietly been among the best performing teams in college basketball down the stretch. The Bison had a great regular-season run but they aren’t ready for Coach Cal and Kentucky. Winner: Kentucky

Midwest Region – Second Round

1 Kansas vs. 9 Marquette

As prolific of a player as Markus Howard has been throughout his career at Marquette, the simple truth of the matter is that the Kansas Jayhawks have been the best team in the country from start to finish while the Golden Eagles are, essentially, a one-man show. Howard puts up a heroic fight but it’s Rock Chalk in the Sweet 16. Winner: Kansas

12 Liberty vs. 4. Wisconsin

Despite the seeding difference between Wisconsin and Liberty, these two teams had the potential to put on quite the show in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers came on as strong as any team in the nation at the end of the season, winning eight straight in Big Ten play. And as talented and deep as Liberty is, the Badgers eke out a tight one. Winner: Wisconsin

11 East Tennessee State vs. 3 Duke

For my money, East Tennessee State has the depth and experience to keep things close with a Duke team that, at many times this season, has shown their youth and had the propensity for a letdown. Tre Jones, however, is an elite gamer and his defensive ability on the perimeter would give the Buccaneers’ guards enough trouble to push the Blue Devils through. Winner: Duke

7 Providence vs. 2 Kentucky

As mentioned, Kentucky was reaching their potential at the end of the regular season and seemed destined for big things. They have the veteran presence and athleticism to handle Alpha Diallo and Providence doesn’t have the guard play to match up with Immanuel Quickley, Tyrese Maxey and Ashton Hagans. The Wildcats make the Sweet 16 chalky in the Midwest Region. Winner: Kentucky

Midwest Region – Sweet 16 and Elite Eight

Sweet 16 – 1 Kansas vs. 4 Wisconsin

Despite how impressive the Badgers were down the stretch of the regular season, they don’t have the athleticism on the perimeter to handle Devon Dotson with the way he played this season. Throw in the size of the Jayhawks and the simple fact that they dwarf any Big Ten competition Wisconsin faced and Kansas advances relatively comfortably. Winner: Kansas

Sweet 16 – 3 Duke vs. 2 Kentucky

Whereas Kentucky’s early-season upset loss to Evansville showed their youth and room to grow but they shored things up as the year rolled along, the up-and-down nature of Duke never fully remedied itself. The Wildcats have the pieces to match up with the Blue Devils’ best options and use that to carry them to the Elite Eight. Winner: Kentucky

Elite Eight – 1 Kansas vs. 2 Kentucky

For as much belief as I have in the Wildcats, Kentucky has flaws. They have struggled to find defensive consistency and their frontcourt, though consisted and talented, isn’t put together to handle the likes of Udoka Azubuike. Kansas should be able to have their way offensively and, though Kentucky can keep it close, they won’t be able to fully keep up. Winner: Kansas

Home/March Madness