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Arizona, Villanova, Tennessee lead a region that has many tough, defensive minded teams. This should be a fun region, too.
Match-ups:
San Diego
1.Arizona
16.Wright State/16.Bryant
Arizona should have an easy win over the winner of Wright State and Bryant, which I believe will be Bryant.
8.Seton Hall
9.TCU
TCU has beaten NCAA Tournament teams LSU, Kansas, and Texas as of late including others, so I believe the Horned Frogs “upset” the Seton Hall Pirates in this one.
Pittsburgh
5.Houston
12.UAB
Despite the success of former Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy at UAB this season, fellow experienced coach Kelvin Sampson, of Houston, should use star Fabian White to defeat UAB.
4.Illinois
13.Chattanooga
Illinois has incredible, experienced guards Andre Curbelo and Trent Fraizer as well as phenomenal center Kofi Cockburn. Chattanooga will scare the Illini but Illinois should win this one.
Indianapolis
6.Colorado State
11.Michigan
Michigan sneaked into the NCAA Tournament with a 17-13 record but Colorado State will compete with them. The Rams earned a sixth seed and will get a tough win over the team from Ann Arbor.
3.Tennessee
14.Longwood
Tennessee has incredible guards in Kennedy Chandler, Santiago Vescovi, and Zakai Ziegler as well as forward Josiah Jordan-James who should dominate Longwood in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Pittsburgh
7.Ohio State
10.Loyola Chicago
Despite many people picking Loyola-Chicago to win this game, Ohio State is not losing in the opening round back to back years. The Buckeyes win, led by EJ Liddell.
2.Villanova
15.Delaware
Villanova may not be able to make the East Regional Final in their hometown of Philadelphia, they are playing some of the best basketball in the country, led by guard Collin Gillespie.
Round of 32
San Diego
1.Arizona
9.TCU
Led by Mike Miles, TCU is a dangerous upset-minded team. But Bennedict Mathurin should lead Arizona to the Sweet 16 for the first time in awhile.
Pittsburgh
4.Illinois
5.Houston
Two well-coached teams continue in Pittsburgh where big man Kofi Cockburn will lead Illinois back to the Sweet 16.
Indianapolis
3.Tennessee
6.Colorado State
Tennessee is playing the best basketball in the country and they should dominate this game over Colorado State.
Pittsburgh
2.Villanova
7.Ohio State
Villanova should beat Ohio State relatively easily and head to San Antonio.
Sweet 16
San Antonio
1.Arizona
4.Illinois
Arizona’s offense has been phenomenal and they use it to make it to the Elite 8 in a tough game against Illinois.
2.Villanova
3.Tennessee
Villanova and Tennessee are two of the most well-coached teams in the country and Tennessee will be victorious over Villanova.
Elite 8
San Antonio
1.Arizona
3.Tennessee
Josiah-Jordan James will out duel Bennedict Mathurin and Tennessee will advance to the Final Four with a phenomenal defensive performance.
Picked winner of regional: 3.Tennessee
Favorites:
1.Arizona
Arizona, led by first year coach Tommy Lloyd, has dominated the Pac-12 en route to a regular season and conference tournament championship. The Wildcats should have a good shot at the national championship.
2.Villanova
Villanova has one of the best coaches in the country, Jay Wright, as the Wildcats look to win their third national championship in seven years. Guards Collin Gillespie and Justin Moore and forward Jermaine Samuels make these go for the Wildcats.
3.Tennessee
Tennessee is the hottest team in the country right now, winners thirteen of their past fourteen games as well as winning the SEC Tournament Championship on Sunday. Guards Kennedy Chandler, Santiago Vescovi, and Zakai Ziegler, and forward Josiah Jordan-James are huge for the Vols success in the NCAA Tournament.
Sleepers:
5.Houston
Houston, despite losing star Marcus Sasser to injury, has won the American Athletic regular season and tournament title. The Cougars use their defense to create offense at a high rate as well as shooting the threes at a high clip.
9.TCU
TCU has wins over NCAA Tournament teams LSU, Texas Tech, Kansas, and Texas and are led by guard Mike Miles, who paces them on offense and creates many turnovers on defense.
11.Michigan
Despite a 17-13 record, Michigan made the NCAA Tournament, with a late run to the NCAA Tournament. Center Hunter Dickinson leads the Wolverines, as they will need a big game from him if they want to begin a run in the NCAA Tournament.
2 replies on “2022 cbhsports men’s NCAA College Basketball Tournament South Region Preview, Predictions”
If U of M is predicted to loose to CSU in round #1 of your bracket— how could you list them as a sleeper??
No matter what I pick, Michigan’s size inside will lead them to have a shot in that game. I have the Rams winning the game tho.