March Madness Early Exits and Surprises.

Kinda Crazy that Austin Peay does so well After Nate James leaves.

But that is sports sometimes.

@LB_Dirtbags

 Gone by the Sweet 16:

Texas Tech: Excellent coach, but will feel the loss of Toppin.

Iowa State: Get the Cyclones out of Ames and they aren't the same team.  Impressive win at Purdue early, though.

Purdue: Had Boilers pegged for Final Four this season with what they brought back. Something seems off.

Could make a run:

Saint Louis: Going through a rough stretch right now. Could they land in St. Louis for the first two rounds?

NC State: Don't play much D. Have a good coach and experience with four senior starters.

UNC Wilmington: While they haven't beaten anyone of note, there is a ton of experience. Getting through the conference tourney will be a challenge.

UCLA: Mick Cronin is still a good coach.

@CKP22

TT has looked pretty good without Toppin. Grant Mcasland is a great defensive coach… been following him @ North Texas a few years ago…a lot doubting this team, but remember a solid/senior PG is key to advancing.

ISU is one team I agree with you… I don’t trust this team on big stages.

Dont like St Louis at all - their big is a soft teddy bear and will get eaten up by a physical team…

Don’t like NC State…lose a Lrg play on them + post & the defense is likely to get exposed.

Do like UCLA… only thing concerning is Dent…team is asking to much from him, and the kid just can’t play the defense Cronin wants. 

Hmmmm.....no one brings up NCAA tourney history? I'm not saying these conferences won't win, but geez, it's been awhile?

Last time the Big10 won? Almost 26 years ago.

Pac 12 hasn't won since 1997?

@tvigilante2020

Make it 27 years for the Big10. Again, I’ll be looking at every opportunity to bet against Michigan getting deep into the tourney… 

Some interesting teams that got my attention….

Troy & Ohio State… solid guards, good supporting cast. Thinking an #11 for Ohio State and #13 seed for Troy…. Depending who they face, ML is straight up value imo.

@LB_Dirtbags

Conferences that haven’t impressed…

Ivy League and Big West… whoever comes out of these 2 conf, I’ll  prob be laying $ on the fave regardless who they face…

For Me, It's Michigan and AZ, and then everyone else. Those two are head and shoulders better than the field. 

Anything can happen in March. I’ve watched the Buckeyes play in person twice. They have good players but coaching is below par and it makes this team fade material. Hope they don’t get stuck with Diebler because college hoops is always better when they’re good. I always hope my fellow gambler can stick it to the books but fading Michigan and taking the Buckeyes is wild but it’s not called March “Madness” for nothing. 
Always BOL 

@LB_Dirtbags

 My team made your list, but I’m not disappointed. I could take it.

Texas Tech is on a mission. Without their top player due to injury, they’ve come together and could beeat anyone in the country. Anyone.

Good luck with your pics let’s see what happens!

@Ky2436

I still don’t see an angle on Michigan or Zona… I believe Zona is better than Michigan by a hair… but you look at Zona’s lineup….and 3 of their starters would prob sit the bench to Duke…top of my head…Bradley, German kid, Krivas would get minimal minutes on this Duke squad.  

@Denson7

Agree. Coaching is huge in the tourney… executing game planning at a different level for each team, mental preparation for the kids, kids really heavily on their coach to take them the length…

What makes me a believer with Ohio State? They’ve been able to keep games close…yeah they lose a ton of quad 1 games, but watched them vs Michigan, Virginia, Illinois, Nebraska… they were able to keep up… different mind set in the tourney, and the guards for The Buckeyes just have that willingness and drive to succeed… ball in coaches side to deliver. 

@Squiggy63

 TT can upset a ton of teams, BUT I can also see them lose in the 1st round….still love LY squad by a ton, but we’ll see… team has a ton of confidence rn, but most times confidence is limited after 2-3 games in the tourney…

@LB_Dirtbags

 won't be st. J or Virginia but I really like the rest and agree.  another obvious year but ..

Thornton will become the all time leading scorer in Buckeye history and has never made the tournament. Says something. Both guards carry the same traits, don’t pass a lot or move the ball well but can shoot. They need to shoot the ball at a very high rate to win games because they don’t rebound either. But I assume by you calling them The Ohio State there is some bias here(also why you’re fading Michigan). If OSU gets in, I hope they play in Dayton. Place is so much fun to watch a game and there will be plenty of Buckeye fans making that short trip. 

I know who Dirtbags is fading.