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

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Max Abmas, Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

South Region and East Region Second Round bracket predictions

1 Alabama vs. 9 West Virginia

Looking at this Second Round contest, I just don’t see where West Virginia has any kind of advantage. They are tough and can win on the glass, but Alabama has Charles Bediako and Noah Clowney to combat that strength. Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide have Brandon Miller and a host of other talents that the Mountaineers just don’t and won’t have answers for.

Pick: Alabama advances

12 Charleston vs. 13 Furman

The upset special, we have a combined 25-seed playing in this matchup but it should be extremely fun. We could see some real fireworks here as both of these teams are fast-paced and efficient offenses. Charleston, however, has the more balanced attack and the better defense, which is why the Cougars are getting the edge in this contest.

Pick: Charleston advances

6 Creighton vs. 3 Baylor

As mentioned, Baylor has not been the typical defensive team we’ve seen the Bears be in recent years. In fact, it’s been a problem. While Creighton does have an extremely shallow rotation, the Bluejays can attack and win offensively in virtually every conceivable way. Even though they aren’t elite defensively in their own right, I trust their offense to exploit Baylor and push to the Sweet 16.

Pick: Creighton advances

10 Utah State vs. 2 Arizona

Once again, we have this Utah State team that looks the part of a real sleeper with how they can score from every spot on the floor. The issue with that is Arizona is not only better defensively than the Aggies but they might be better on the offensive end of the floor too. That’s not a recipe for success and I think the Wildcats pour it on in this game.

Pick: Arizona advances

1 Purdue vs. 8 Memphis

Yes, Purdue was able to get hot and run to a Big Ten title in the conference tournament. However, they’ve struggled the most with smaller teams that can put Zach Edey in tough positions and when they are pressed into committing turnovers, especially because that’s something the Boilermakers don’t do well. Memphis is terrific in that regard, though. Edey will get his but the rest of the game will be all about Kendric Davis and Deandre Williams wreaking havoc for 40 minutes.

Pick: Memphis advances

12 Oral Roberts vs. 4 Tennessee

We’re looking at this Oral Roberts team and this couldn’t break any better for them. Tennessee without Zakai Ziegler is just highly problematic, especially with someone like Max Abmas on the floor to attack from the perimeter. If that plays out, the Volunteers have shown their warts on offense, so I think the Golden Eagles start to get their slipper fitted with another big upset.

Pick: Oral Roberts advances

6 Kentucky vs. 3 Kansas State

What’s stood out about Kentucky as they’ve started to figure some things out at the end of the year is their defensive presence outside of Oscar Tshiebwe, who is a liability. That’s going to be a problem for Kansas State, though, a team that turns the ball over a troubling amount. I like the way John Calipari’s team matches up here and Kentucky is going to keep the juices flowing into the next round.

Pick: Kentucky advances

7 Michigan State vs. 2 Marquette

The spots that we’ve seen this Marquette team look lesser have been when they face teams like Purdue that have a dominant interior presence. Michigan State isn’t built in that mold with the bulk of their attack coming from the perimeter. Yes, it’s Izzo in March, but it’s also Shaka Smart in March. The Golden Eagles are better, and they’ll prove it by taking down Sparty.

Pick: Marquette advances

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