The 2013 NCAA Tournament is set to tip off tonight with the First Four. The action really heats up on Thursday with the start of the Round of 64, and with that in mind, we are going to preview each of the regions on the blog, to try and get some activity going and to predict what we're going to see in the Big Dance. So with that in mind, here we have the predictions for the 2nd round action in the East Region. Our Nation's Capital will be the site for the Regional Semifinals and Final, inside the Verizon Center. The last time D.C. held the Regional Semifinals and Final, George Mason made their magical march to the Final Four. What's in store this year? We're bound to find out.
(1) Indiana vs. (16) LIU-Brooklyn/James Madison
I’m not really going to spend much time delving into this game, because I think on matter who wins between LIU-Brooklyn and James Madison, they are going to be served up to a very potent Indiana Hoosiers basketball team. Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller should both have no problem being the stars of this game and in short, I expect this to be one of the biggest blowouts of the entire tournament.
Prediction: Indiana 90 LIU-Brooklyn 46; Indiana 88 James Madison 44
(8) North Carolina State vs. (9) Temple
Both of these clubs came into the season with reasonable expectations, and one could say that they both did a good job of falling short of them. Both of these teams can score at will, and they also cannot defend very well either, so this should be a fun game if you like scoring. Either Khalif Wyatt or C.J. Leslie will be the best player on the court and I see this being a nail-biter of a ball game. I see the Wolfpack edging out the Owls by the skin of their teeth, in a terrific game.
Prediction: North Carolina State 77 Temple 75
(5) UNLV vs. (12) California
The Runnin’ Rebels came in with high expectations this year but fell short of their goal to win the Mountain West Conference and capture a high seed. To make matters worse, they are essentially playin on the road against California who is in their own backyard in San Jose, California. Anthony Bennett, a freshman stud, who scored 16.2 PPG and racked up 8 RPG, is a no doubt NBA lottery pick and should find himself being a huge difference maker in this game. While the Rebels have had trouble finding consistency this season, they are much more talented than the California Golden Bears, and I see talent prevailing.
Prediction: UNLV 70 California 60
(4) Syracuse vs. (13) Montana
If Syracuse was playing Davidson or a different 13-seed in South Dakota State, I would have them penciled in to be upset here. However, I am not feeling Montana in this ball game. Their leading scorer Mathias Ward is out for the tournament and can only go as far as their two remaining top scorers Kareem Jamar and Will Cherry can take them. While the Grizzlies are 10-2 in their last 12 outings, I think Syracuse is a bad matchup for them. The Orange will probably make it tougher than it ought to be, but I have Cuse advancing into the Round of 32.
Prediction: Syracuse 68 Montana 50
(6) Butler vs. (11) Bucknell
Oh what a show this will be. The Butler Bulldogs, the darlings of the last few tournaments, will find themselves with another chance at wrecking a lot of brackets and making some magic happen. They however will face a very tough Bucknell squad who might do a little damage themselves if they get past Butler. I can’t find any reason though to doubt Brad Stevens in tournament time and I think Rotnei Clarke will be a tremendous difference maker. In fact, I think he’s going to hit the game-winning shot in this contest. Mark it down. Butler’s experience will get them past the Bison.
Prediction: Butler 66 Bucknell 63
(3) Marquette vs. (14) Davidson
There’s a lot of intrigue going into this Marquette-Davidson matchup. I can’t blame many for thinking that. The Golden Eagles are a poor 3-point shooting team and the Wildcats, meanwhile, are a terrific 3-point shooting team. If Davidson gets hot, watch out for this to be a possible upset. I do think though that the Eagles boast a lot of depth, a lot of talent, and this might be one of the best coaching jobs that Buzz Williams has done in a long, long time in Milwaukee. This will be a thriller to the end in Lexington, but I see the Eagles marching on thanks to a big afternoon by Vander Blue.
Prediction: Marquette 69 Davidson 65
(7) Illinois vs. (10) Colorado
The Fighting Illini have been an intriguing bunch this season to say the least. They have scrapped together a lot of impressive victories, including the victories in the Maui Invitational, winning against Indiana, and Gonzaga as well. Brandon Paul (16.6 PPG, .405 FG%) is the catalyst for the Illini, and could be the X-Factor. But, they’re facing a good Colorado team that has dominated on neutral courts, winning 10 of their last 12 in those scenarios. When you take that into account, and that the Illini, sans Paul, are a very poor shooting team, I like the Buffs here to pull off a 7-10 upset.
Prediction: Colorado 68 Illinois 56
(2) Miami vs. (15) Pacific
The Hurricanes are one of college basketball’s biggest surprises. Some say that they can be likened to last year’s Missouri Tigers but I’m one to disagree with that. The Tigers did not nearly have the size nor the depth last year that the Hurricanes have. Reggie Johnson is terrific inside, compiling 7.0 RPG, and Shane Larkin (14.6 PPG, .486 FG%) is a stud. While the Hurricanes struggle with bad teams, I think they will find their groove early and never look back.
Prediction: Miami 75 Pacific 49
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