2024 cbhsports men’s NCAA College Basketball Tournament Midwest Region Preview

Image Courtesy: Journal & Courier

Round of 64

Indianapolis (March 22)
1.Purdue 29-4 (17-3) Big Ten
16.Grambling State 18-14 (14-4) SWAC/16.Montana State 17-17 (9-9) Big Sky
Purdue will not lose in the Round of 64 after last year’s debacle. No one is beating Zach Edey in Round 1 again.

8.Utah State 27-6 (14-4) Mountain West
9.TCU 21-12 (9-9) Big 12
The Mountain West was vastly underseeded in this bracket including Utah State. It should be a back and forth game but I believe the Aggies will advance.

Salt Lake City (March 21)
5.Gonzaga 25-7 (14-2) West Coast
12.McNeese State 30-3 (17-1) Southland
Will Wade led LSU to the NCAA Tournament multiple times. Now, he has McNeese in the tournament. Gonzaga has made eight consecutive Sweet 16s but are overseeded at a five. The Cowboys prevent the Bulldogs from going on another run.

4.Kansas 22-10 (10-8) Big 12
13.Samford 29-5 (15-3) Southern
Kansas only made the Round of 32 in 2023 and this season they rely on just four players with limited depth. They are without star wing Kevin McCullar and star center Hunter Dickinson. Samford wins after forcing many turnovers.

Pittsburgh (March 21)
6.South Carolina 26-7 (13-5) SEC 
11.Oregon 23-11 (12-8) Pac-12
Oregon is red hot following winning the final Pac-12 tournament. N’Faly Dante has been great since returning from injury. But, I believe South Carolina was underseeded as a six. They should’ve been a five and as such, the Gamecocks will advance to the Round of 32.

3.Creighton 23-9 (14-6) Big East
14.Akron 24-10 (13-5) MAC
Creighton was a shot away from the Final Four in 2023. The Blue Jays outshoot Akron to advance.

Charlotte (March 21)
7.Texas 20-12 (9-9) Big 12
10.Colorado State 24-10 (10-8) Mountain West/10.Virginia 23-10 (13-7) ACC
Colorado State will beat Virginia in the First Four. Then, they will upset the Longhorns.

2.Tennessee 24-8 (14-4) SEC
15.Saint Peter’s 19-13 (12-8) MAAC
Led by Dalton Knecht, Tennessee will advance past 2022 Cinderella Saint Peter’s.

Round of 32

Indianapolis (March 24)
1.Purdue
8.Utah State
Utah State will beat Purdue and prevent the Boilermakers of making their first second weekend in the NCAA Tournament since 2019.

Salt Lake City (March 23)
12.McNeese State
13.Samford
Will Wade’s Cowboys run will continue after beating Samford.

Pittsburgh (March 23)
3.Creighton
6.South Carolina
Creighton’s up tempo offense outlasts a South Carolina team full of tough finishers. It will be close but the Blue Jays win.

Charlotte (March 23)
2.Tennessee
10.Colorado State
Like Purdue, Tennessee’s March struggles continue when they lose to Colorado State. The Vols’ cannot find any scoring options outside of Knecht and are eliminated.

Sweet 16

Detroit (March 29)
8.Utah State
12.McNeese State
McNeese’s cinderella run continues after they beat Utah State.

3.Creighton
10.Colorado State
Creighton continues on the Elite 8 after ending Colorado State’s run. The Blue Jays are led by Ryan Kalkbrenner inside the paint.

Elite 8

Detroit (March 31)
3.Creighton
12.McNeese State
Greg McDermott finally gets his chance at a Final Four. The Blue Jays end McNeese’s great run and advance to Phoenix.

2024 Midwest Regional Champion: 3.Creighton