Triple Option

By Michael Maynard

Day 1 didn’t bring a ton of upsets. While I don’t expect Day 2 to either, there are a handful of coin flip games that should come down to the final possession.

1. #5 Wisconsin vs. #12 Oregon (): Can the red-hot Pac 12 champs stop Ethan Happ? If so, this could be the second 12-5 upset of the year.
2. #1 Duke vs. #16 North Dakota State (): Won’t be close, but we only have at least six games left of watching Zion play collegiate basketball.
3. #8 VCU vs #9 UCF (): The three 8-9 games could really go in any order. UCF’s offensive firepower led by Aubrey Dawkins faces an elite Rams defense. Tacko Fall also makes game intriguing.
4. #8 Utah State vs. #9 Washington (): West coast matchup in a year that region of the country has faltered mightily across the sport. Winners of ten straight, the Aggies will he tested by Washington’s Syracuse derived zone, which historically has given teams trouble.
5. #8 Ole Miss vs. #9 Oklahoma (): Both teams kind of came out of nowhere. Ole Miss was predicted last in the SEC, and overachieved in Kermit Davis’s first year. Expected to recess after Trae Young departed, Oklahoma performed below average in conference but beat enough quality teams to secure an at-large bid. Winner likely gets Virginia on their revenge tour.
6. #1 Virginia vs. #16 Gardner-Webb (): The committee seemingly trolls the Cavs by matching them up with by far the best 16-seed despite being the #2 overall seed. At full strength this year, the story of this game is how Virginia response to last year’s historic first round loss.
7. #4 Kansas State vs. #13 UC Irvine (): UCI is one of the better mid-majors, though with this weak crop that may not be saying much. But Dean Wade is not 100%, which makes the Cats a little vulnerable to an upset.
8. #5 Mississippi State vs. #12 Liberty (): Very trendy 12-5 upset pick. Both Ben Howland and Mississippi State are eager to be back in the dance after long layoffs, but Liberty will be a worthy challenger to an experienced Bulldog bunch.
9. #6 Buffalo vs. #11 Arizona State (): The Bobby Hurley revenge game challenges an integral part of my bracket picking philosophy. Every year since it’s been in place, one of the play-in teams has advanced to the Round of 32. If CJ Massinburg and the Bulls win, this would be a first.
10. #6 Iowa State vs. #11 Ohio State (): Last time ISU won a Big 12 title they lost to UAB. Matchup of big midwestern schools in Tulsa brings moderate interest in the later time slot.
11. #3 Texas Tech vs. #14 Northern Kentucky (): I have my eye on this one as another upset potential game. Tech is beatable if NKU takes Jarrett Culver our if the game. We’re still waiting on that mega upset to happen. I’m running out of games for that to happen.
12. #7 Cincinnati vs. #10 Iowa (): Cincinnati is coming off an American championship, while Iowa has limped to the finish line. In my eyes these are two unevenly matches teams, and this won’t be a close game. Plus Cincinnati is a similar team to Virginia, so stylistically this might not be entertaining either.
13. #4 Virginia Tech vs. #13 Saint Louis (): After an early bubble burst in the Billikens’ season, SLU came out strong in A10 tournament and returned to the Dance. Justin Robinson is back for the Hokies, which makes them a threat to win their first tournament game in their third straight year with an attempt.
14. #3 Houston vs. #14 Georgia State (): Can GSU channel the Baylor magic of 2015? If not, Houston should advance easily.
15. #2 Tennessee vs. #15 Colgate (): I can’t see a scenario this hungry Volunteer team loses in the first round.
16. #1 North Carolina vs. #16 Iona (): “” above with UNC. Tar Heels are just to talented. These two teams will only be hurt if they look ahead too far.