It’s finally here: the field of 68. The next four days will be the best in any sport, any country, and any region. It’s a whole different animal in the NCAA Tournament. The first four days of this monster event are the best days to watch sports, even if you’re by yourself!
Around here, there are always a few shocks. We’ve had tournaments like the one we had last season where the first two days were full of shocks. It looks like this year will be in the middle, but that’s fine. Some things will still surprise us. I’m here to help you find out what. These are the things I wanted to put in my bracket but couldn’t bring myself to do. None of them will happen.
Right now, I’m going to give you my big predictions for the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
Make sure to read the rest of our NCAA Tournament coverage and analysis. It has previews, predictions, sleepers, busts, and tips on how to fill out your forms. Best of luck, RotoBallers!
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Big Predictions for the West Region
Phoenix and North Carolina won’t make it past the first weekend.
The Heels won’t have to work hard to beat Wagner, but either Michigan State or Mississippi State could be tough. That team will be the Bulldogs if Josh Hubbard plays like he did in February. They are big enough to handle the Carolina front. RJ Davis will be hard to defend, but the Bulldogs can also get rid of him if the Wolfpack can.
Arizona would lose for the second time in a row before the first weekend as a two-seed. They beat them in the first round last year, and they made it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen. The Beach doesn’t seem to strike them, but it’s possible because of how their guards play. The game I want to play in the second round is either Dayton or Nevada.
It’s the second weekend for New Mexico.
This is the best basketball game Jaelen House has had all season. This is one of the most scary 11 seeds in recent memory if Jamal Mashburn Jr. can play like he did last year and JT Toppin can play like he did in January. Clemson is no match for the Lobos. Their guards are good enough to keep Baylor safe. Yves Missi and Toppin would be going up against other newbies. They could dance for another week if Toppin wins the fight.
Big Predictions for the South Region
Fla. makes it to the Elite Eight.
It will be tough to play Colorado, but it’s a better draw than Boise. Below is a list of teams that Florida can beat up front, even without Micah Handlogten. Before that, they beat either Texas Tech or a Kentucky team in Rupp. The Gators are at their best right now, so they should go far in the playoffs.
Nebraska wins their first NCAA Tournament game ever, and then they win again.
There is a good chance that Nebraska will beat A&M. Bold says that they will beat Houston. Keisei Tominaga has gotten hot enough to lead the team before. It doesn’t get any bigger than this. The biggest stars appear on the biggest stages. Tominaga is the most fun person to watch a basketball game that you aren’t in. On a basketball court, everyone should be as happy as he is.
East Region Bold Predictions
In the Sweet 16, two teams from last year’s Final Four play each other. But it’s not who you might think.
It looks like FAU and UConn will play in the second round, but I think the Owls will beat the champs early and then play San Diego State in the Sweet Sixteen.
Iowa State makes it to the Final Four for the first time since 1944.
Eighty years is a long time between Cubs games. It makes sense, given the Cubs’ Triple-A record.A member has lived in Iowa for many years. The Cyclones will break their curse this year.
Ames’s defense is so strong that it can push any team out of its comfort zone, thanks to T.J. Otzelberger. A team that beats Houston by 30 points is very strong.
Tournament for the Midwest Region Bronze busts
Another loss for Purdue in the first round.
It’s still strange to see 16 seeds beat a 1 seed, but Purdue isn’t that different from last year. Jonathan Aku is big enough to fight Zach Edey. Edey, not Aku, will be in trouble for fouls if this game is called close. Before the game against Montana State, Grambling had good guard play.
They should have it again against Purdue. The Tigers can be small if they need to, but they’re not as small as Fairleigh Dickinson.
It gets to the Final Four with a high seed.
These are the brackets with the most dangerous top teams. Utah State is a great team that will beat Purdue if Grambling doesn’t. They both have a chance to win their first-round games.
Oregon is a good matchup for South Carolina and Creighton. Even Akron, ranked 14th, is a scary team. Texas is mean enough to make it to the Sweet Sixteen. I meant to say that Creighton makes it to their first Final Four, but things are going to be crazy in this area. The team from this group that makes it to the Final Four, if Creighton doesn’t make it, will be among the top seven seeds.
