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The Midwest Region is Wild

This year’s March Madness tournament has been as unpredictable as ever. There were gigantic double-digit upsets in the first round and some unheard of programs making Sweet 16 runs (shoutout to Oral Roberts). There were early disappointments and first-round bracket-busting losses (Texas, Ohio State). However, nothing’s been more unpredictable than the Midwest Region.

Somehow, someway, there are always new heights that are reached every time March Madness rolls around. This year is no exception to that rule, by any means. In fact, this year’s tournament might go down as one of the wildest EVER.

The Midwest Region is Wild

Seriously, nobody in their right mind predicted the turnout of this Midwest Region. In the beginning, it seemed rather easy to pick. Illinois was everybody’s favorite to get to the Final Four. Houston was a sure-fire pick to face them in the Elite Eight.

Oklahoma State was a ‘sleeper pick to go far, thanks to Cade Cunningham. West Virginia and San Diego State were chosen by many to get to the Round of 16 as well.

As it turns out, all of the aforementioned teams above- besides Houston- are done.

Illinois was upset by Sister Jean and the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers. Cunningham and the Cowboys lost to Oregon State as the Beavers insane run continues to the Sweet 16.

West Virginia lost to Syracuse, as the Orange also dismantled San Diego State in the Round of 64.

So, to summarize, the four teams left in the Midwest Region are an eight, two, 12, and 11-seed. That’s not a typo. That’s really how this Midwest Region has shaken out and it makes no sense.

Or does it?

Midwest Region Sleeper: Syracuse

Can Jim Boeheim just be anointed as the Greatest March Coach in NCAA history? He and the Orange always seem to go on an improbable run in the tournament. In fact, this is the THIRD time Syracuse has advanced to the Sweet 16 as a double-digit seed since 2016.

Oh, and this is their 20th trip to the Sweet 16 in a little more than 40 years. That’s not bad for a team that was highly criticized for their inclusion in the tournament no more than two weeks back.

That’s phenomenal, and the Orange do it in a number of ways. Their 2-3 zone has already caused fits to the Aztecs and the Mountaineers. San Diego State couldn’t buy a bucket until the end of the second half when it was too late.

West Virginia had the same issue in figuring out the zone. However, Buddy Boeheim has gone absolutely bonkers for Syracuse and the Orange can seriously be pegged as a Final Four candidate at this rate.

Actually, Buddy has been on an absolute tear in March and dropped another 25 points against West Virginia.

The Houston Cougars need to be legitimately worried going into their Sweet 16 matchup against Syracuse. Can the Boeheim bunch lead this team back to the Final Four?

Oregon State has Defied the Odds

Who would’ve predicted the Beavers to still be in the tournament? Still, you better believe it. Oregon State has rattled off five straight victories to get to this point.

They beat UCLA, Oregon, and Colorado to win the PAC-12 tournament and earn an automatic bid. They beat Tennessee by 14 in the Round of 64. The Beavers then beat Oklahoma State by 10 in the second round.

It’s marvelous, it’s insane, it’s madness.

While the PAC-12 has FOUR of the remaining 16 teams, Oregon State’s Cinderella run looks as if it’s coming to an end. Still, anything can happen.

Nonetheless, not bad for a team picked to finish last in the PAC-12.

Houston has the Best Chances

On paper, the Cougars seem like the favorite at this point to win the entire region. They have been one of the best teams all year and have only three losses.

Sure, they narrowly escaped Rutgers in a wild, 63-60 final. They also just squeaked by Memphis twice a week before the NCAA Tournament.

However, if they can figure out a way to get around Syracuse and their zone, they should be in a good position. Also, Buddy Boeheim needs to cool down at some point, or does he?

Quentin Grimes has been the heart and soul of this Cougars squad, averaging 18.3 points per game with a 41-percent clip from three.

They are fifth in the nation in rebounds and 19th in turnovers. The Cougars are 17th in points scored and 21st in blocked shots. All of those statistics scream a Final Four team, but they have their hands full this weekend.

Sister Jean and the Ramblers are Back

Just a couple of years back, Loyola Chicago became a national sensation. Sister Jean was all over the news as the Ramblers made an improbable Final Four run.

Porter Moser was pegged as a national head coach target by many teams. Now, the Ramblers are back in the Sweet 16 and look to advance even further.

They beat Georgia Tech in the Round of 64 and dominated top-seed Illinois from start to finish. Cameron Krutwig was unstoppable against the Illini with 19 points and 12 boards.

Even more, they won every statistical category except for free throw percentage, and that’s always a win. This team is sound, balanced, and derived by upperclassmen keen for another trip to the Final Four.

Somehow Moser has these guys playing some of the best basketball of any team in the tournament. It also helps to have Sister Jean pray for the team before the game, if you’re into that sort of thing.

The Ramblers have the makings of a Final Four team. If they can beat the Beavers, then the only thing left is either Syracuse or Houston.

As of today, fire up the Ramblers as a team to come out of the Midwest Region. Although, with the way things have played out, nobody knows who will win any of the games.

Sister Jean, Moser, and the Ramblers seem destined for another Final Four appearance.

 

 

Main Image: Embed from Getty Images

Matt Wadleigh, Associate Editor

Matt Wadleigh, Associate Editor

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