The first weekend of March Madness is out of the way and it produced some great moments. March Madness is all about great moments and buzzer beaters. Derik Queen had his moment as he hit the buzzer beater to beat Colorado State and send the Terps to the Sweet 16. The SEC dominated college basketball this season. Ole Miss upset Iowa State and they became the seventh team from the SEC to make the Sweet 16. Who advances to the Final Four next weekend? Check to see my Final Four picks for next weekend.

 

South Region Sweet 16

We have the top seeded Auburn Tigers taking on the 5^th seed in the Michigan Wolverines. Auburn cruised by Alabama State in the opening round. The Tigers took down a tough Creighton team to reach the Sweet 16. Michigan barely edged UC San Diego in the first round 68-65. The Wolverines exploded and beat the 4^th seed Texas A&M Aggies by double digits. Michigan was one of the hottest teams in the country heading into the tournament. Auburn’s Johni Broome is a national player of the year candidate averaging a double double. The Tigers also possess elite firepower with all their starters averaging double figures. This feels like this game will come down to the very end. Auburn has been the top team in the country at various times throughout the season. I’m taking the Tigers to edge the Wolverines and advance to the Elite 8. Auburn Win

 

In the second game, we have another matchup between SEC and Big Ten teams. The 2^nd seed Michigan State Wolverines will battle the 6^th seed in the Ole Miss Rebels. The Spartans opened the tournament with a 25-point win over Bryant. In a hard fought game against New Mexico, the Spartans took them down 71-63. Ole Miss beat down a pesky North Carolina team in the opening round. In an upset, the Rebels beat Iowa State 91-78 to advance to the Sweet 16. Sean Pedulla, Malik Dia, and Jaemyn Brakefield lead the Rebels in the upset of the Cyclones. Michigan State struggled a lot against the Lobos of New Mexico. The Spartans will have to be on top of their game against this Rebels squad. I’m going with the upset in this one. Ole Miss pulls off the upset and advances to the Elite 8. Ole Miss Win

 

West Region Sweet 16

The first matchup we have will be seeing the top seed Florida Gators battle the 4^th seed Maryland Terrapins. Florida blew out Norfolk State 95-69 in the first round of the tournament. In a close battle against the 2-time defending champion UConn Huskies, they pulled out the win. The Gators had a tough test from UConn, but that was expected. Maryland blew out Grand Canyon in their opening round matchup. They needed a buzzer beater from Derik Queen to put away the feisty Colorado State Rams. Queen is projected in early mock drafts to be a lottery pick in this upcoming NBA Draft. We have seen players carry a team when they’re expected to be a high draft pick. Could Queen do just that against this tough Gators team? It’ll be a good game, but I’m picking the Gators to advance to the Elite 8. Florida Win

 

 

The Texas Tech Red Raiders will battle the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Red Raiders are the 3^rd seed in the West Region. They won both of their games by double digits to get to this point. Texas Tech beat a tough UNC Wilmington team in the opening round. The Red Raiders took down a scrappy Drake team 77-64 in the second round. Arkansas had a tougher time reaching the Sweet 16. The 10^th seed Razorbacks beat the Kansas Jayhawks in the opening round. The Razorbacks upset Rick Pitino and the 2^nd seed St. John’s Red Storm 75-66. Texas Tech had an amazing season and earned the 3^rd seed in the tournament. Arkansas had a tough year in John Calipari’s first season. The SEC was the cream of the crop in college basketball this season. The Razorbacks are battled tested and I’m picking them to continue their Cinderella season. Arkansas Win

 

East Region

In the 1 versus 4 matchup in the East Region we will put two legendary programs against each other. The top seed Duke Blue Devils will take on the 4^th seed Arizona Wildcats. Duke has been on an incredible run since the ACC tournament. They won the tournament championship, and they didn’t need Cooper Flagg. They began the tournament by blowing out Mount St. Mary’s. In the second round, they took out Baylor 89-66. The Blue Devils were my pick to cut down the nets at the start of the tournament. Arizona started the tournament by blowing out Akron by 28 points. In round two, they edged Oregon 87-83 in a great game. We remember the days of Lute Olsen taking on Coach K. In this one, I’m still going with the Blue Devils to advance to the Elite 8. Duke Win

 

 

In the second matchup, we have the Alabama Crimson Tide taking on the BYU Cougars. The Crimson Tide are the 2^nd seed after having a great season in the SEC. The Cougars come in as the 6^th seed and they’re one of the sleepers in the tournament. Alabama beat Robert Morris to advance to play St. Mary’s. In the second round, they took down Saint Mary’s 80-66. BYU beat VCU 80-71 to start off the tournament. In the second round, they upset the Wisconsin Badgers 91-89 in a tough battle. These two teams can make a run to the Final Four. Alabama is battled tested being they play in the SEC. BYU is one of those tough and gritty teams that can compete with anyone. In the end, the Crimson Tide has the better team and will advance to the Elite 8. Alabama Win

 

Midwest Region

The first game in the Midwest Region will see the Houston Cougars take on the Purdue Boilermakers. The Cougars are the top seed in the Midwest Region. The Boilermakers come in as the 4^th seed in the region. Houston blew out SIUE to kick off the first round. In the second round, they were put to the test before defeating Gonzaga 81-76. Purdue took down High Point in their opening round matchup. In the second round, they defeated McNeese 76-62. McNeese was the 12^th seed, and they upset Clemson in the first round. The Cougars have had one of the better programs in the past few seasons. Unfortunately, they haven’t been successful in cutting down the nets. Purdue is a solid team that possesses a group of guys that can ball. The Cougars will continue their run by taking down the Boilermakers. Houston Win

 

The second game in the Midwest Region will be a battle between SEC powerhouses. The 2^nd seed Tennessee Volunteers will take on the 3^rd seed Kentucky Wildcats. The Volunteers began the tournament by defeating Wofford 77-62. In the second round, they took down a tough UCLA team 67-58. The Wildcats began their road to the Sweet 16 by beating troy 76-57. In the second round, they beat a tough Illinois team 84-75. These teams know each other very well seeing they are both from the SEC. Kentucky is the only team to beat Tennessee on their home court this season. The Wildcats have defeated the Volunteers twice this season? Can they do it a third time? It’s very difficult to beat a team three times in a season, especially the caliber of the Volunteers. I’m picking the Volunteers to advance to the Elite 8. Tennessee Win

 

Trav’s Elite 8 Matchup

South Region

Auburn Tigers vs. Ole Miss Rebels

West Region

Florida Gators vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

East Region

Duke Blue Devils vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Midwest Region

Houston Cougars vs. Tennessee Volunteers