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Round of 64
Columbus
1.Purdue
16.Texas Southern/Farleigh Dickinson
Purdue should roll against the winner of Texas Southern and Farleigh Dickinson.
8.Memphis
9.Florida Atlantic
Memphis and Florida Atlantic are two teams that can make runs in the tournament. Memphis just beat the Midwest top seed, Houston, and will continue to the Round of 32.
Orlando
5.Duke
12.Oral Roberts
Duke is the hottest team in the country and they face Oral Roberts, the famous Cinderella of the 2021 tournament. The Golden Eagles are a 12-seed this time, up from a 15 seed in 2021. If Duke was not the hottest team in America, I would pick Oral Roberts, but the Blue Devils are playing too well right now.
4.Tennessee
13.Louisiana
Louisiana will pull off the surprise upset over Tennessee.
Greensboro
6.Kentucky
11.Providence
Providence star Bryce Hopkins faces his former team in Kentucky. Both squads have been up and down all season, but the Wildcats have more talent and should move on
3.Kansas State
14.Montana State
Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson should lead the Wildcats to a match up against the other Wildcats.
Columbus
7.Michigan State
10.USC
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo’s NCAA Tournament experience will help lead the Spartans to Round 2 of the NCAA Tournament.
2.Marquette
15.Vermont
Coach Shaka Smart and Marquette surprised the league this year by winning a regular season and tournament championship in the Big East. Vermont is an NCAA Tournament mainstay but Marquette’s NCAA Tournament stay will not only last one game last season.
Round of 32
Columbus
1.Purdue
8.Memphis
Memphis will knock out Purdue, led by star Kendric Davis.
Orlando
5.Duke
13.Louisiana
Louisiana’s run in Orlando will end at the hand’s of red hot Duke.
Greensboro
3.Kansas State
6.Kentucky
In what will be an entertaining game for both teams Kansas State’s toughness will help them defeat the other Wildcats.
Columbus
2.Marquette
7.Michigan State
Michigan State could pose problems for the second consecutive season as a seven seed for another two seed in Marquette like they did against Duke last March, but the Golden Eagles should eliminate the inconsistent Spartans.
Sweet 16
New York City
5.Duke
8.Memphis
Duke will take star Kendric Davis out of the game and end another smaller school’s run in New York City
New York City
2.Marquette
3.Kansas State
Marquette and Kansas State are two of the toughest teams in the Big Dance and for that reason it would be a great game. Marquette wins a close on in NYC.
Elite 8
New York City
2.Marquette
5.Duke
When Duke plays in the east regional in Madison Square Garden, one could call it “Cameron Indoor North” with the amount of fans that come to cheer on the Blue Devils. Similarly, Marquette plays in MSG every March in the Big East Tournament so there will definitely be Golden Eagles fans in the arena too. Duke will win a close game and head to the Final Four for the second consecutive year.
East Regional Champion: 5.Duke
2023 East Region Preview, Predictions Video
