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

Midwest Region and West Region Second Round bracket predictions

1 Houston vs. 9 Auburn

The unknown component of Marcus Sasser’s health makes this tough, but this again comes down to the matchup. Behind Jamal Shead and the rest of Houston’s roster even outside of Sasser, the Cougars’ identity is predicated upon their elite defense. Auburn has struggled mightily with offensive consistency this season, particularly over the final two months. That’s not a recipe for success against Houston.

Pick: Houston advances

5 Miami vs. 4 Indiana

Both Miami and Indiana are susceptible to getting knocked off against teams with elite size, but neither team has that here. For me, though, I trust in Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino more than the Hurricanes’ stars. This could sneakily be one of the best games of the tournament, but the Hoosiers will keep dancing.

Pick: Indiana advances

11 Pitt vs. 3 Xavier

Even with Pitt rounding into form like I think they can and will, they don’t have the offensive potency to hang with what Xavier is capable of. The Musketeers are a Top 10 offense in terms of efficiency and the Panthers are outside of the Top 125 in defensive efficiency. In the simplest way to say it, I don’t see how Pitt is able to come up with enough stops to prevent their exit.

Pick: Xavier advances

7 Texas A&M vs. 15 Colgate

The reason I have Colgate upsetting Texas in the First Round is their potency from 3-point land. Unfortunately, I don’t see the Raiders having the same success against another team from the Lone Star State. A&M has tremendous length and matchup ability defensively and they’ll limit the good looks Colgate gets, thus helping propel the Aggies to Sweet 16.

Pick: Texas A&M advances

1 Kansas vs. 8 Arkansas

Arkansas has a good chance to frustrate an elite Kansas offense in this game because, well, that’s what the Hogs do. Having said that, the Razorbacks lack of offensive prowess, at least on a reliable basis, is worrisome against a Jayhawks team that has so many options between Jalen Wilson, Gradey Dick and so on. I don’t think Eric Musselman’s team has the personnel to withstand 40 minutes against KU.

Pick: Kansas advances

5 Saint Mary’s vs. 4 UConn

Frankly, this is another must-see matchup for the Second Round if we get it. Saint Mary’s and UConn are both well-coached, balanced, and dangerous at multiple levels and ends of the floor. Really, picking this matchup for me comes down to the Huskies just being better offensively and having a trump card inside with Adama Sanogo. That will be the difference in a phenomenal game.

Pick: UConn advances

6 TCU vs. 3 Gonzaga

We could very well see a blowout in this matchup. TCU’s lack of outside shooting is going to be a problem and Mike Miles isn’t the type of player who causes Drew Timme problems when the latter is matching up defensively. Gonzaga is the better team and the 40 minutes of this contest will prove that emphatically.

Pick: Gonzaga advances

10 Boise State vs. 2 UCLA

Despite the fact that Boise State has such a versatile offensive approach, they haven’t seen a defense at the level of UCLA, which has been the most efficient in the country according to KenPom this season. The Bruins are still without Jaylen Clark but they have more than enough to punch their Sweet 16 ticket.

Pick: UCLA advances

First Four | South First Round | East First Round | Midwest First Round | West First Round | South and East Second Round | Elite Eight | Final Four and National Championship