Mythical March Madness: 2020 NCAA Tournament bracket simulation

West Region – First Round

1 Gonzaga vs. 16 Prairie View A&M

It’s been another ho-hum year for Gonzaga in that they dominated the West Coast Conference. Whether it’s Filip Petrusev or Killian Tillie or Corey Kispert, Prairie View A&M should buckle in for a bumpy ride in the First Round. Winner: Gonzaga

8 LSU vs. 9 Oklahoma

LSU was leading the SEC for quite some time before the wheels fell off for Skylar Mays and company. And while the Sooners aren’t exactly a juggernaut, there’s little reason to believe that the Tigers would be able to advance past a quality matchup in the First Round. Winner: Oklahoma

5 Michigan vs. 12 Yale

It feels like every year that a team like Yale or Harvard comes out of the Ivy League with a lot of buzz but is a letdown in the NCAA Tournament. Not only that but Michigan has the size and defensive prowess in the backcourt to be able to push past the Bulldogs, even if they are an imperfect balance. Winner: Michigan

4 Oregon vs. 13 New Mexico State

Not only is New Mexico State a team that should’ve beat Auburn last year coming back to the NCAA Tournament with largely the same group but Oregon has their own pitfalls. Then again, it’s hard to bet against the fiery Payton Pritchard and Chris Duarte at least getting out of the First Round based on talent alone. Winner: Oregon

6 BYU vs. 11 Indiana

The inclusion of Indiana in the Mythical March Madness bracket is controversial in itself after a 19-12 regular season, no matter who they beat along the way. BYU will prove that the Hoosiers were very much undeserving as a talented Cougars team should ride Jake Toolson to victory. Winner: BYU

3 Seton Hall vs. 14 Eastern Washington

Myles Powell was one of the best players in college basketball this past season but the sneaky truth is that Seton Hall is quite dangerous. Powell remains the catalyst but they should have little problem dispatching Eastern Washington from the tournament. Winner: Seton Hall

7 Arizona vs. 10 Texas Tech

Though it turned out that Chris Beard and the Red Raiders couldn’t fully replace their losses from last year’s national runner-up team, Texas Tech can compete with anyone. Throw an under-performing Arizona team in the mix, even with Nico Mannion and name-brand power, and I’m trusting Beard to get it done in March again. Winner: Texas Tech

2 San Diego State vs. 15 UC Irvine

San Diego State likely would’ve been a 1-seed behind a near-perfect season had they not dropped the Mountain West Tournament final to Utah State. Even still, Malachi Flynn will step up to the occasion and avoid a First Round upset for the Aztecs. Winner: San Diego State

West Region – Second Round

1 Gonzaga vs. 9 Oklahoma

Though you have to worry about their long-term viability in the NCAA Tournament based on their defense, the Gonzaga offense was virtually unstoppable in the 2019-20 regular season. The Bulldogs have enough firepower to get by Oklahoma, whose offense has had their woes this season, and advance to the Sweet 16. Winner: Gonzaga

5 Michigan vs. 4 Oregon

It’s easy to buy into players like Payton Pritchard and Chris Duarte for Oregon but, at the end of the day, the Ducks just leave too much to be desired on the defensive end of the floor. Michigan has slipped up a few too many times to totally trust them but, in this matchup, they’re balanced enough inside-out and on offense and defense to skate past Oregon. Winner: Michigan

6 BYU vs. 3 Seton Hall

Jake Toolson and Yoeli Childs are absolute gamers and BYU enters Mythical March Madness is a sleeper. Myles Powell, however, is the type of player that will wake them up. The Cougars don’t have anyone on the perimeter that can contain one of the most complete guards in college basketball, which is why Seton Hall should win this one pretty comfortably. Winner: Seton Hall

10 Texas Tech vs. 2 San Diego State

Despite their seeding and not totally living up to what the team was able to accomplish a year ago, Texas Tech remains one of the best defensive teams in college basketball. And while San Diego State had a remarkable year, they haven’t been tested enough for me to truly trust their prowess against Chris Beard’s team with the experience he has in this type of situation. Winner: Texas Tech

West Region – Sweet 16 and Elite Eight

Sweet 16 – 1 Gonzaga vs. 5 Michigan

Spoiler alert, but Gonzaga is going to get caught at some point in this 2020 NCAA Tournament simulation by an offense that’s capable of taking advantage of them in that regard. The good news for the Bulldogs is that Michigan isn’t the team that’s going to be able to do it. The Wolverines don’t have enough perimeter scoring to get after Gonzaga and take down the No. 1 seed in the West Region. Winner: Gonzaga

Sweet 16 – 3 Seton Hall vs. 10 Texas Tech

Once again, Texas Tech has gone on a run and advance farther than many would expect them to in March Madness. That ends here, however, as the Pirates just have enough offense with Myles Powell, Quincy McKnight and Sandro Mamukelashvili, all of whom have ample experience, to put the Red Raiders in a spot where they simply can’t score enough points to get the win. Winner: Seton Hall

Elite Eight – 1 Gonzaga vs. 3 Seton Hall

I told you some team was going to be able to take advantage of Gonzaga’s defensive shortcomings and Seton Hall is the exact team capable of doing that. Look, I realize the Pirates had their share of hiccups in a 21-9 season and that the Bulldogs can score on anyone. But Seton Hall’s ability to control the game in the backcourt and attack where Gonzaga is weakest gives them the edge in my book — along with having a bonafide star in Powell. Winner: Seton Hall