March Madness Picks

Jason Sinukoff:

South: The Kentucky Wildcats have been the best team in the NCAA all season. With players like Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, it is hard to think that anybody else in this region can stop the Wildcats.

West: The Marquette Golden Eagles will avenge their loss to Louisville from the Big East Tournament quarterfinals when they take down the Cardinals in the Elite Eight. Behind superstars Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder, the Golden Eagles will have a surprisingly easy time getting to the final four.

Midwest: Despite losing most of their scoring from last year’s team, the Kansas Jayhawks rolled to a 26-5 record to once again capture their regular season conference title. With superstar big-man Thomas Robinson leading the charge, nobody should count out the Jayhawks.

East: The Syracuse Orange have only lost once during the regular season. Enough said. The Orange have far and away been one of the best teams in the NCAA this year, and they will show why when they take down Ohio St. to advance to the Final Four.

Ryan Stern:

South: Though this bracket is considered the most deadly, with potent teams like Baylor and Duke, those teams have their flaws—Kentucky does not. Far and away the best team in the nation, Kentucky’s only flaw is inexperience. But with the best player in the nation wearing a Wildcat uniform, Coach Calipari will finally get over the hump.

West: Michigan State has the experience and the coaching acumen, but the tournament isn’t called March Madness for nothing. Missouri is a fast and deep team that should make a long run in this year’s tournament.

Midwest: This pick is very reliant on the hand of John Henson, but with him in the lineup, the Tarheels are a dangerous team. Also watch for San Diego State to make a run.

East: The Seminoles are a dangerous team when hot—having beaten UNC and Duke—but they are susceptible when they are cold. Kemba Walker and the Huskies showed what a hot team could do in the tournament last year so look for the Seminoles to ride the wave of momentum.