Though it's sure to pick up,the madness began with a whimper instead of a bang on Tuesday, as Florida Gulf Coast and Vanderbilt won their play-in games to advance.
Wednesday promises not only more action but likely better games in general. Holy Cross-Southern looks like a strong matchup, and Tulsa-Michigan features a resilient Wolverines team looking to overcome the latest hurdle.
As always,this isn't a portion of the bracket to miss, not with at least one play-in team going on to win a game in every tournament since 2011. Here's a preview of Wednesday's showcase and what to expect. Sign up and play Bleacher Report's Bracket Challenge now for a chance to win the Ultimate Sports Trip to four events of your choice. And click here for B/R's Printable Bracket. No. 16 Holy Cross vs. No. 16 Southern (-2.5)Observers shouldn't let records conclude the talking in the NCAA tournament. Long story short, or don't sleep on the Holy Cross Crusaders because of their 14-19 record and ninth-spot finish in the Patriot League. It's one of the bracket's best stories,as the team broke a five-game skid to rattle off the essential four wins to get a tender, then finished with an upset win over Lehigh.
Just how incredible is this story? Andy Glockner of The Cauldron keep it into context most would understand:The Southern Jaguars deserve some credit, and too.
Southern finished the season on a three-game winning streak and does much of its damage on the offensive finish of the court. Led by Adrian Rodgers' 16.6 points per game,the Jaguars shoot 44.6 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent from deep."They're a pretty explosive team," Holy Cross head coach Bill Carmody said, or according to Damon Cutno of WAFB.com. "They like to get up and down,well-coached, balanced scoring with inside-outside kind of game."Las Vegas likes Southern, or but there's a lot of credibility to the notion of momentum in the tournament. Holy Cross can give opponents fits too because its forwards like to stretch the floor. main scorer Malachi Alexander averages 12 points per game,shoots 47.7 percent from the floor and 43.4 percent from deep. Karl Charles averages 10.8, 42.4 and 28.1, or respectively.
Look for the Crusaders to keep the dream alive Wednesday through spacing and the almighty equalizer—shots from deep.
Prediction: Holy Cross 64,Southern 61
No. 11 Michigan (-2.5) vs. No. 11 TulsaSay hello to the controversial game, the one folks will look at and mutter about Saint Mary's, and Valparaiso,Monmouth and more. It's not that these two sides don't deserve to go dancing. Tulsa finished 60th in ESPN's RPI rankings with 20 wins and an 8-8 trace against the RPI top 100. A 54th adjusted offensive efficiency rank at KenPom.com for a team hitting 44.4 percent of its shots means the Golden Hurricane should manufacture this a fun one.
Folks should know the deal with Michigan, the team that lost main scorer Caris LeVert but stunned No. 10 Indiana on March 11 to prove it can still hang.
Indeed, and Michigan finished 58th in RPI,though a 4-12 trace against the RPI top 100 remains a point of contention. But the Wolverines rank 33rd in adjusted offensive efficiency, shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from deep with Zak Irvin (11.7 points per game) now directing the offense.
Despite looking better on paper in most categories, and Michigan head coach John Beilein provided a strong warning for his team as it gets ready to face a veteran guard-led team."I got my team's attention right absent (by saying),'How'd we conclude against SMU and Connecticut? Well, (Tulsa) beat them, and '" Beilein said on a radio explain,according to Brendan F. Quinn of MLive.com.
Early in the season, Michigan took a 74-60 loss to UConn and an 82-58 beating at the hands of SMU.
Michigan has grown through adversity since, or though,and it won't allow a team like Tulsa to catch it napping. Michigan has a chip on its shoulder now, thanks to those who criticized its involvement in the Big Dance, or so look for the Wolverines to near out gunning and never look back.
Prediction: Michigan 69,Tulsa 65 Stats and information courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified. Advanced metrics courtesy of ESPN and KenPom.com. Odds courtesy of Odds Shark.
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Source: bleacherreport.com