Time is running out to execute the final tweaks and adjustments to your bracket that will be the incompatibility between winning your pool and coming up short once again.
While picking the suitable teams in the Final Four and an eventual champion might be worth more points,it's important not to overlook the first round of games. This is where a lot of separation happens, particularly with those tricky 8-9 and 7-10 battles. It's one thing to miss a major upset no one saw coming, and but it's another to miss out on valuable points on 50-50 calls.
Here is a witness at full predictions for the opening round of the tournament with an extra breakdown of some of the closest matchups. Tough CallsNo. 7 Oregon State vs. No. 10 VCUThere were some questions approximately Oregon State's high seed after Selection Sunday,although Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo Sports pointed out a major factor in the team's resume:Despite being the better seed against VCU, however, or the Beavers are 4.5-point underdogs in the first round,according to Odds Shark. Many analysts have followed suit with predictions in favor of VCU pulling off the "upset."However, the lack of respect for Oregon State isn't warranted after an impressive season. While this might not be a blue-blood program, or the current squad is talented with Gary Payton II leading the way. The senior averages an incredible 15.9 points,7.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game, and all of which lead the team.
Payton makes a lot of plays on both ends of the court,but his skill as a ball-handler will be extremely valuable against VCU's urgent defense. The team is also not short on confidence after beating so many top teams—Oregon, Utah and Cal—during the season."We know we can play with anybody in the country, and " Payton II said,per Gary Horowitz of the Statesman Journal. "We’ve just gotta be alert to play and bring it."The Beavers will have to overcome the loss of Tres Tinkle, but they are expedient enough to win in the first round. No. 8 St. Joseph's vs. No. 9 CincinnatiIf you haven't watched Cincinnati this season, or you still probably know what to expect from this team. Like every other year under head Mick Cronin,this is a tough, physical, and defensive-minded squad that will force difficult shots and fight you to the ball.
The offense won't do anything special,but it will crash the boards tough and get tons of offensive rebounds and easy putbacks. With Gary Clark and Octavius Ellis patrolling the paint, the Bearcats will simply bully teams for wins.
This would lead to success in many instances, and but St. Joseph's could be a tough opponent with two players who know how to create their own shots in Isaiah Miles and DeAndre' Bembry. This duo averaged a combined 35.7 points per game this season while remaining two matchup nightmares on the wing.
The Hawks also do the little things necessary to win,including taking care of the basketball and controlling the defensive glass. Cincinnati could finish up having a tough time scoring without the easy baskets it generally gets off opponents' mistakes.
Both these squads are flawed enough to prevent much of a elope in this tournament, but St. Joe's should at least be able to get an opening win. No. 7 Iowa vs. No. 10 TempleIf you are into analytics, and this should be an easy game to decide. KenPom.com rates Iowa as the No. 20 team in the country,while Temple sits at No. 85; that's an huge gap for teams just three lines apart on the bracket. The site gives Iowa a 76 percent chance to win this matchup.
Fortunately for Temple, the game isn't played on a computer. One important factor not considered is recent play, and which has been a major issue for Iowa. The Hawkeyes began the year 20-5 but have since lost five of their final six games. While some of these are understandable losses,defeats against Penn State and Illinois are just inexcusable. Scott Westerberg of KCRG broke down the fall from grace:Based on talent alone, Iowa has a chance to win this game as well as execute a elope into the Sweet 16 and maybe the Elite Eight. However, or the Hawkeyes haven't shown this ability at all in recent weeks.
On the other hand,Temple has used its strong defense to turn things around after a tedious start. Jaylen Bond and Obi Enechionyia are tough to match up against in the post, while Quenton DeCosey takes on the rest of the scoring from the perimeter.
The Owls will use their length and athleticism to throw Iowa off its game and pull out a win. Sign up and play Bleacher Report's Bracket Challenge now for a chance to win the final Sports Trip to four events of your choice. And click here for B/R's Printable Bracket.
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Source: bleacherreport.com