LWOS’ NCAA All-State Tournament continues with the South Region. As a reminder, the entire college basketball landscape was analyzed and a 32 team bracket was constructed based on players’ hometowns.
NCAA All-State Tournament South Region
Round 1
#1 Georgia (Overall 3)
Starters: Anthony Edwards, James Banks III, Reggie Perry, Devin Vassell, Kamar Baldwin
Bench: Isaac Okoro, Ashton Hagans, Tre Scott, MJ Walker, Landers Nolley
Georgia earns a spot as the third overall number one seed. This roster was extremely difficult to put together. They are led by projected number one pick Anthony Edwards plus a plethora of other NBA guys. The one concern here is consistent shotmaking, as the team is full of volume shooters.
#8 Australia (Overall 30)
Starters: Josh Green, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Kody Stattmann, Yanni Wetzell
Bench: Sam Waardenburg, Tanner Krebs, Dan Fotu, Isaac White, Makuach Maluach
Australia is not a deep team by any means. Green is the figurehead here, surrounded by some good shooters. Many of these guys do not play much on their teams and they are ranked low for a reason.
The Georgia squad rolls here. It may take them a bit to figure out roles, but the talent is just too much.
#4 Texas (Overall 14)
Starters: Mason Jones, Marcus Garrett, Drew Timme, Jahmi’us Ramsey, Tyrese Maxey
Bench: Quentin Grimes, Isaac Likekele, Cameron McGriff, Ryan Woolridge, Jalen Harris
Texas might be lower than people expected. They are led by underrated superstar Mason Jones. Interestingly, there is only one player on this team that initially attended a Texas school and it was not the Longhorns. Now, Grimes transferred to Houston making that total rise. This team is very deep and talented. They have some shooters, some good guard play, and solid, athletic bigs. They are somewhat small and will need to rely on a four-guard lineup.
#5 California (Overall 19)
Starters: Onyeka Okongwu, Jordan Ford, Remy Martin, Malik Fitts, Matt Bradley
Bench: Kihei Clark, Jaden Shackelford, Jonah Mathews, Cassius Stanley, Matt Mitchell
California is another team that was shockingly low. Interestingly, there are only two Pac-12 players on the roster. No one from UCLA appears either. There are some good pieces on the team, but there are no true stars beyond Okongwu and Ford.
California could probably beat some other four seeds in this tournament, but they cannot beat Texas. Texas just has too much firepower.
#3 Ohio (Overall 11)
Starters: Kaleb Wesson, Nick Muszynski, Zavier Simpson, Markell Johnson, Jarron Cumberland
Bench: Trey Landers, Macio Teague, Andre Wesson, Jon Teske, D’Mitrik Trice
Ohio is very solid. The frontcourt duo of Wesson and Muszynski is dangerous. Simpson and Johnson sharing a backcourt together are also very solid. The one main concern here is consistent shooting.
#6 Wisconsin/Iowa (Overall 22)
Starters: Joe Wieskamp, Tyger Campbell, Tyrese Haliburton, Jordan Bohannon, Austin Phyfe
Bench: Kobe King, Storm Murphy, Connor McCaffery, DJ Carton, Bryce Nze
The Wisconsin/Iowa team has solid players in Wieskamp, Campbell, and Haliburton. Bohannon, King, and Carton missed most of this season, if not all of it, but they were added to the roster. That starting group should score relatively easily, but once the bench comes in, the team weakens.
Ohio wins this game. Iowa cannot contain the frontcourt of Ohio and Wesson and Muszynski have a field day.
#2 Florida (Overall 6)
Starters: Vernon Carey Jr., Kerry Blackshear, Grant Riller, Trent Forrest, Trent Frazier
Bench: John Mooney, Paul Reed, Michael Devoe, EJ Montgomery, Emmitt Williams
Florida is very talented. Carey, Blackshear, and Riller might be one of the best triplets in the tournament. This team will score early and often. They also have really athletic bigs off the bench that fill many roles. If their guards get hot from the floor, it is a long day for the opponents.
#7 Canada (Overall 27)
Starters: Marcus Carr, Andrew Nembhard, AJ Lawson, Isiaha Mike, Quincy Guerrier
Bench: Devonte Bandoo, Jermaine Haley, Jahvon Blair, Koby McEwen, Eugene Omoruyi
Canada would have been great the last few years. This year they are much weaker. Carr, Nembhard, and Lawson are very good guards, but after that, there is not much talent.
Canada has no chance to compete with Florida. The frontcourt will dominate as Carey, Blackshear, and Mooney all have double-doubles.
Round 2
#1 Georgia vs #4 Texas
Georgia is just good enough. Their forwards are set up perfectly to deal with the athleticism of Texas. Perry versus Jones would be an absolute showdown. Too much inconsistency on the rest of the Texas roster.
#2 Florida vs #3 Ohio
Florida vs Ohio is another showdown of frontcourt stars. Carey and Blackshear are slightly better than Musynzski and Wesson. Riller is the difference maker here as he has a big game.
Round 3
#1 Georgia vs #2 Florida
The starters play to a near draw. Georgia’s bench is just a little more talented than Florida which makes all the difference. This has overtime written all over it. Ultimately, Georgia moves on to the Final Four in the NCAA All-State Tournament.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
