South Region Preview

Well…we started off NIT action going 0-2, but that doesn’t matter because the NCAA Tournament officially starts today! If you want to see the first four picks you can go here: First Four. Yesterday we previewed all of the games from the Midwest region, which you can find here: Midwest Region and today we will break down the other region playing on Friday, the South. From Baylor to Hartford, let’s get into it. Also forgot to mention yesterday, all times are Pacific, so plan accordingly wherever you are in the world!

Friday

10 Virginia Tech vs 7 Florida(EVEN) (135) 9:15am TBS

I’m shocked this game is even, I would’ve guessed the oddsmakers would’ve backed Florida by a couple points. Both of these teams backed their way into the tournament after losing in the first round of their Conference Tourneys, but for some reason the Hoakies’ twitter account felt the need to create a “keep doubting us” video. Relax, you’re a 10 seed and it’s not like you’re a mid-major making its first tournament appearance. For my bracket, I like Virginia Tech. It makes it look like you’re not taking all chalk and I believe either one of these teams will lose to Ohio State next round. For betting purposes, I’ll take under 135. 

14 Colgate vs 3 Arkansas(-8.5) (160.5) 9:45am TruTV

The way these mid-major conferences set up their regular season cracks me up, and also leads to some shitty data to make decisions. By looking at their record, you’d say they’re a good team who went 14-1 and cruised through their conference tournament, but they only played FOUR TEAMS throughout the entire regular season before playing a fifth team in their conference final. Colgate hasn’t seen an offense like Arkansas all year, hammer the Hogs. 

11 Utah State vs 6 Texas Tech(-4) (131.5) 10:45am TNT

If you don’t already have one, buy a second tv so you can watch this game at the same time as the end of the Va Tech/Florida game. This is going to be a great game between two phenomenal coaches. Neemias Queta led the Mountain West in blocks and had EIGHT against the Cesspool of Sin University in the Semifinals. This one may come down to the last shot, and nobody is more clutch in this tournament than Mac McClung for Tech. Because it’s so close and Tech struggles ATS, I’ll take Utah State to cover +4, Texas Tech moves on to the round of 32. 

15 Oral Roberts vs 2 Ohio State(-16) (157) 12:00PM CBS

Let me put my hatred for Ohio State aside for a second and look at this game logically. I’ve doubted Oral (lol) Roberts in the Semis and the Final of their Conference Tourney…but have you seen what this dude Max Abmas does? He’s incredible. He dropped an easy 36 against Oklahoma State early on in the season and averages 24 points per game. Oral Roberts 4 tournament teams in their non-conference schedule and were in 3 of those games. I like Ohio State to go to at least the Sweet Sixteen, but because of their inability to close out games I like the Golden Eagles to cover +16.

16 Hartford vs 1 Baylor(-25.5) (140) 12:30pm TruTV

Baylor is going to go far in this tournament (shocker), they’re one of the best teams in the country at shooting the 3, I think they can put up 90 on this team, so all we need is around 50 from Hartford. I’ll take over 140. 

9 Wisconsin vs 8 North Carolina(-1.5) (138) 4:10pm CBS

Both teams had rough seasons in comparison to the history of their programs, but North Carolina seemed to figure it out a bit down the stretch. I threw out a stat yesterday about how the 8/9 underdogs are 26-10-3 ATS, but Roy Williams is 29-0 in the first round. For Wisconsin to cover, they’d have to beat UNC, I don’t see that happening, I’ll take UNC -1.5 and they will give Baylor fits in the next round. 

13 North Texas vs 4 Purdue(-7.5) (126.5) 4:25 PM TNT

It’s interesting North Texas is a 13 seed after going 9-5 in the Conference USA and were the 5th best team in their conference during the regular season. Regardless, Purdue is essentially playing at home throughout this tournament, I love them -7.5. 

12 Winthrop vs 5 Villanova (-6.5) (143) 6:57PM TNT

“YoU nEeD tO hAvE a 12 OvEr 5” Winthrop is another one of those mid-major schools who didn’t play anybody throughout the season, but has an eye-popping 23-1 record. They also weren’t blowing the doors off a lot of teams, with 10 of their wins being by single digits. They regularly play 11 guys and have the depth to give Villanova fits in this matchup. A lot rides on the health of Justin Moore, who picked up the slack for the Wildcats with the loss of Collin Gillespie. If he’s not 100% I like Winthrop +6.5.  

Remember to submit your brackets before tomorrow morning. If your bracket gets busted in the first round, be like me and root for chaos. Enjoy the First Four tonight, we’ll break down the East Region tomorrow morning. Love you, bye.