Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Sportz Assassin's East Region Preview



TEAM TO BEAT: Indiana. The Hoosiers have been the favorite to win the National Championship all year long.  They've shown quite a few weaknesses, but there isn't a team in the field that could dominate this tournament like Indiana. 

TEAM THAT WILL WIN THE REGION: Indiana. I think they have an easy road to the Elite 8, where they will meet Miami or Marquette.  While both are good enough to beat Indiana, I don't think they will.  Hoosiers make it to Atlanta.

TEAM TO WATCH FOR (LESS THAN A NO. 3 SEED): NC State. The Wolfpack has woefully been a disappointment this season.  Still, they have tons of talent and have the ability to upset Indiana in the third round and move on.  Likely?  No, but in a season as crazy as this, we could have something like this happen. 

YOUR CINDERELLA: Davidson. They are not the same team that Stephen Curry led to the Elite 8 a few years back, but this is quite a team.  De'mon Brooks is a stud and the Wildcats start off with a Marquette team that may not have deserved their No. 3 seeding.  Then they'd face fellow mid-major Bucknell or Butler.  . 

WORST SEEDING ERROR: Illinois. I didn't have the Illini locked into a tournament bid until the last week of the regular season.  Yet they somehow got a No. 7 seed. 

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: California. The Bears got a bit lucky.  Despite being a 12th seed, Cal gets to play UNLV in nearby San Jose.  Obviously a win keeps them in San Jose to play either Syracuse or Montana.  No one in this region (of probable contenders) has a distinct advantage once they get to Washington.

MUST WATCH GAME: Marquette vs Davidson. Like I said before, this could be a whale of a game.  Davidson is dangerous and Marquette could be ripe for the upset.

MUST WATCH (POTENTIAL) SECOND ROUND GAME: Indiana vs  NC State. Before the season started, NC State was supposed to matter.  They were supposed to be a contender.  They were supposed to be a team bursting with NBA talent that could give Indiana a run for their money in the Final Four.  Well, let's see if Indiana does have that glass jaw right off the bat..

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