March Madness 2023 bracket predictions: Picks for Final Four, National Champion

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Aidan Mahaney, Saint Mary’s Gaels (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

West Region First Round bracket predictions

1 Kansas vs. 16 Howard

Bill Self will be back on the sidelines for the Jayhawks in the NCAA Tournament but they could have me out there in this matchup and would still come out on top. Howard had a great season, but they lack the overall talent to force the turnovers and scores needed to shock the world in this game.

Pick: Kansas advances

8 Arkansas vs. 9 Illinois

Arkansas is looking for a third consecutive Elite Eight berth under Eric Musselman but this matchup will be a tough one. The Razorbacks have struggled to find offense at times and Illinois is a stout defensive team. So too are the Hogs, though, which should cause the Illini problems, especially given their lack of outside shooting. I expect a rock fight here but I trust the Arkansas defense and experience more in this situation.

Pick: Arkansas advances

5 Saint Mary’s vs. 12 VCU

Because of what Shaka Smart — now at Marquette — did at VCU, the Rams will always catch your eye in a bracket. The problem is that the Rams aren’t as good as you might think, even after winning the A-10. The conference was down this season and they struggled against most other tournament teams they faced. Saint Mary’s is smart, balanced, and has a star in freshman Aidan Mahaney. The Gaels should win with relative ease.

Pick: Saint Mary’s advances

4 UConn vs. 13 Iona

With Rick Pitino-to-St.-John’s rumors swirling, of course the legendary and infamous head coach gets matched up against UConn in the NCAA Tournament. Walter Clayton Jr. is a star for Iona but the Pitino-coached team won’t have the goods to bother the Huskies experienced and collected offense in the way they need to in order to pull off this upset.

Pick: UConn advances

6 TCU vs. 11 Nevada

Offense can be a little tough for TCU at times, particularly from long-range. Having said that, the Horned Frogs have Mike Miles and a strong rebounding presence to help create more opportunities and limit their opponents. I don’t think Nevada can hang in that type of matchup and TCU should pull through to the Second Round.

Pick: TCU advances

3 Gonzaga vs. 14 Grand Canyon

Rayshon Harrison and Grand Canyon could, in theory, push Gonzaga as the Zags struggle at times with perimeter defense and the Antelopes are quite dangerous in that regard. However, Mark Few will have this team, free of many expectations that saddled them in recent years, ready for that. Moreover, I don’t think GCU will have an answer for Drew Timme trying to continue leaving his indelible mark on college hoops.

Pick: Gonzaga advances

7 Northwestern vs. 10 Boise State

Northwestern has some big wins on the year, including knocking off Purdue once and Indiana twice. They have success largely based on their defense but their offense can go ice-cold at times. That’s going to be an issue against a Boise State team that is one of the most balanced in the country with all five starters averaging double figures. Give me the Broncos to pull off the slight upset.

Pick: Boise State advances

2 UCLA vs. 15 UNC-Asheville

Because of the Jaylen Clark injury that will have him out for the rest of the year, some might look for UCLA to lose to a hot-shooting UNCA team. That’s not for me, though. UCLA is far too experienced and talented even without Clark to not come out on top in this game. As they move forward, we can start to have the Clark conversation more seriously.

Pick: UCLA advances

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