Tournament time is here! The First Four games begin tonight, and there is hope all over the country. This piece will focus on the men’s South Region. Each first-round matchup of the south region will be explained with predictions for each game.
Men’s South Region Preview
Arizona is the top seed in the region, and they are on a tear. They won the PAC 12 tournament and beat UCLA in the final. The Wildcats have a chance to go far in the region; however, there are other tough teams.
The TCU vs. Seton Hall matchup is interesting and could give Arizona some issues. TCU has massive wins over Kansas, Texas Tech, Texas, LSU, Oklahoma, and Iowa State. TCU has a great defense and will be a difficult team to beat in the tournament. Seton Hall has a few great wins over UConn, Texas, and Michigan. Since TCU has more great wins and plays excellent defense, they should win the first game. With Jamie Dixon as head Coach, they have significant experience and will give Arizona a run in the second round.
5 Houston vs. 12 UAB
This matchup is a reunion of old C-USA rivals that will be very fun. UAB is a good team led by Jordan Walker, who averages 20.4 points per game. If Houston underestimates this team, it will be an early exit for the Cougars. With Fabian White Jr. being in and out of the lineup lately, the Cougars have not looked as scary. However, if Houston is to get by, and I think they should, they have the experience of going far in this region.
4 Illinois vs. 13 Chattanooga
Illinois has been slumping lately; however, Kofi Cockburn is a tough matchup for midmajor teams because of his size. The shooting of Alfonso Plummer should help carry them through this round. The Illini can go far if they take care of the ball and play through their post to get open threes. They have the potential to give Arizona problems if that is the sweet sixteen matchups. However, Chattanooga has Malachi Smith, who averages 20.3 points per game. The Mocs have some excellent shooters, and they need some support from Smith if they expect to pull an upset. Illinois should win this game as long as they play to their potential; however, it will not be easy.
11 Michigan vs. 6 Colorado State
This matchup annoys me because a fantastic midmajor has to play a power conference team that underperformed and barely made it. However, Hunter Dickinson and Eli Brooks helping run the show seems unfair for the Rams. Michigan has played stiff competition all year, whereas Colorado State has not. I hope the Rams win this game, but Michigan has the edge because of wins over Purdue and Iowa. If the Wolverines play together and up to their potential, they will go far in this region.
3 Tennessee vs. 14 Longwood
Tennessee will win this game going away because they have elite victories over Arizona, Kentucky, Auburn, and Arkansas. Longwood has only faced one good team Iowa, and they lost by 33. Kennedy Chandler and Santiago Vescovi lead Tennessee; this team will be a tough out in this region. If Tennessee gets by Michigan in the second round, they might win the region. For the Lancers to have any chance, they must play stiff defense and make at least ten threes, which might not even be enough.
7 Ohio State vs. 10 Loyola Chicago
Ohio State has been slumping lately despite their seven seed; they only have a 19-12 overall. I predict an upset here; Loyola had immense experience from the past few years, including a sweet sixteen run last season. These players know how to win in March, and it will be a tough out in this region. Loyola could make a run to the sweet sixteen or elite eight again if they get it going. I am not as confident in Nova, who I will talk about in the next matchup. The Ramblers are led by Lucas Williamson, averaging 14.5 points per game. The team plays excellent defense, only giving up 62 points per game. Ohio State is a good team, but I do not trust them with how they ended the season, so I will pick Loyola.
2 Villanova vs. 15 Delaware
This game is more interesting than one would think because Jameer Nelson Jr averages 13.7 points a game and has a lot of history. Nelson Jr’s father is famous guard Jameer Nelson who lit it up for the Magic and a few other teams. If Nelson Jr goes on a tear, this game will be closer than most expect the Wildcats better be ready. However, with Collin Gillespie playing so well, I do not wish them to lose. Nova has excellent experience, but a second-round matchup with Loyola scares me, and I think the Ramblers can pull it off.
Overall the men’s south region is probably the most rigid bracket I could see Illinois, Arizona, Tennessee, or Nova making runs. Still, the most likely scenario is for Tennessee or Arizona to break out. This will not be an easy run for Arizona; TCU could pull off a shocker; Tennessee would win the region if they did. The men’s South region is the most challenging in the field and will be fun to watch these next two weeks.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
