After what was a thrilling first round in the south region, with wins coming for Duke, San Diego State, Utah, Georgetown, UCLA, UAB, Iowa, and Gonzaga, the Round of 32 will start today. The region saw a couple close games in the second round, but also saw some teams win by a good margin. Those teams will meet in the third round, so we should see a superb set of games over the course of the next two days.
2015 NCAA Tournament Round of 32 Preview: South Region
#1 Duke v. #8 San Diego State — March 22nd, 2:40pm (CBS)
This will be an interesting matchup, as both teams have polar qualities. Duke can score at will, but can have problems stopping dribble penetration. San Diego State has trouble scoring, but shuts down their opponent on defense. Both teams will be throwing their strengths at each other, but the factor that could bury San Diego State is Duke’s Jahlil Okafor. He commands a lot of attention — and he should, so the Aztecs defense could have one too many breakdowns, en route to a Blue Devil victory.
Prediction: Duke Blue Devils
#5 Utah v. #4 Georgetown — March 21st, 7:45pm (CBS)
Both Utah and Georgetown were popular picks to get upset, but they both prevailed in their first game of the tournament. The Utes and Hoyas own similar traits, one which is good defense. Georgetown had to fight through a tough Big East, and you have to play good defense in that conference to get anything accomplished. Utah plays in a more open Pac-12, but also can turn up the intensity on defense. This should be an excellent game, especially with both teams playing with so much confidence and emotion. Flip a coin, ladies and gentlemen.
Prediction: Utah Utes
#11 UCLA v. #14 UAB — March 21st, 12:10pm (CBS)
This is the only game in the third round that sports two teams that were both the underdogs in their second round matchup. UCLA — a team many fans were disappointed got in the tournament — beat the six seeded SMU Mustangs in a wild game. That wild ending included a controversial goaltending violation on SMU, which would end up being the game winning shot for UCLA. The UAB Blazers shocked the nation when they beat the three seed Iowa State, who was a popular pick to get to the Final Four. The Blazers took advantage on the Cyclones porous defense, and they should carry that momentum to the next round.
Prediction: UAB Blazers
#7 Iowa v. #2 Gonzaga — March 22nd, 7:10pm (TBS)
Iowa and Gonzaga’s games were a little different, and not in the way you would think. The Hawkeyes pummeled Davidson by a margin of 31 points. The Bulldogs of Gonzaga beat a competitive 15-seed in North Dakota State by a mere ten points. Gonzaga had problems pulling away all night, but finally did with inspired play by Kevin Pangos and Domantas Sabonis. Both teams have had a tough time taking the next step into the Sweet Sixteen, and both have similar matchups. Unlike previous years, the Bulldogs played with an anger when the games got close this season, and that will help them win a highly competitive game. You, the fan, will want to tune into this one.
Side note: I’m extremely excited to watch the Mike Gesell-Kevin Pangos point guard matchup.
Prediction: Gonzaga Bulldogs
