March Madness: South Region preview, predictions

SAN ANTONIO — The South Area within the 2022 NCAA Event options some nuance on the prime of the area. 

No. 1 seed Arizona hasn’t made a Ultimate 4 since 2001, No. 3 seed Tennessee has by no means made the Ultimate 4 and No. 4 seed Illinois hasn’t been within the Ultimate 4 since 2005. In the meantime, No. 2 seed Villanova has been a frequent flier within the Ultimate 4 over the previous 15 years and 5-seed Houston made the Ultimate 4 as a 2-seed final 12 months.

Arizona has had a particularly robust season beneath first-year head coach and former Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd. They rank second in KenPom behind Gonzaga after a dominant 31-3 document.

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Villanova is led by Massive East participant of the 12 months level guard Collin Gillespie. We all know how necessary good guard play is within the NCAA Event. Nova gained their last 5 video games together with the convention match coming into the Massive Dance. They’ve losses to Baylor, Purdue and UCLA however robust wins over Tennessee and two towards Windfall. 

Tennessee is trying to capitalize on their momentum after profitable the SEC Event. They rank seventh in KenPom total with a No. 3 rating in defensive effectivity. They’re trying to make their first Ultimate 4 ever.

Illinois is available in because the 4 seed within the South Area and so they’re a really harmful crew with each proficient guard play and massive man Kofi Cockburn inside. Whereas that they had some large wins this season, they suffered some dangerous losses in Massive Ten play to Maryland and Rutgers, though Rutgers is a play-in match crew. They’ll have to depend on some elite play from Cockburn to make a deep run.

No. 1 seed Arizona vs. No. 16 seed Bryant/Wright State

No. 8 seed Seton Corridor vs. No. 9 seed TCU

No. 5 seed Houston vs. No. 12 seed UAB

No. 4 seed Illinois vs. No. 13 seed Chattanooga

No. 6 seed Colorado State vs. No. 11 seed Michigan

No. 3 seed Tennessee vs. No. 14 seed Longwood

No. 7 seed Ohio State vs. No. 10 seed Loyola Chicago

No. 2 seed Villanova vs. No. 15 seed Delaware

Just about each NCAA Event sport there’s a risk for an upset, however let’s take a look at a couple of video games the place upset might be on the thoughts of many filling out a bracket.

No. 11 Michigan vs. No. 6 Colorado State

Michigan might be a well-liked upset decide as a crew with loads of match expertise over the previous 10 years. They barely snuck into the match after a rocky season, however they’ve loads of expertise to upend Colorado State. That’s to not say that the Rams aren’t a harmful crew although. They’re twentieth in offensive effectivity and face a weak Michigan protection. Michigan will ned to restrict Colorado State’s three-point makes an attempt to have an opportunity at an upset win right here.

No. 10 Loyola Chicago vs. No. 7 Ohio State

We’ve seen Loyola Chicago be robust within the NCAA Event in recent times. They made it to the Candy 16 final 12 months as an 8-seed and made it to the Ultimate 4 in 2018 as an 11-seed. They’re a 10-seed this 12 months going through an Ohio State crew that has been bounced on the opening weekend of their final 5 match appearances. The Ramblers have an excellent shot at an upset win right here.

On the Locked On Bracket Breakdown present, our three specialists have the next groups advancing to the Elite Eight on this area, the nationwide quarterfinals. 

Andy Patton, Locked On Zags podcast: No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 6 Colorado State
Chris Gordy, Locked On SEC podcast: No. 5 Houston vs. No. 3 Tennessee
Lee Sterling, Locked On Bets podcast: No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 2 Villanova