1. Florida/16. Doesn't matter
8. Clemson/9. Iowa
These are two of the same brands of basketball. Play good physical defense, and meticulous and methodical on offense. And while I think Ben McCollum is a great coach, Brad Brownell has been here before, and his team is the more physical of the two. But they are now down their interior presence as Carter Welling is done for the year. I think that loss is too much to overcome and Iowa moves on while jumping on the back of Bennett Sturtz.
5. Vanderbilt/12. McNeese St
It would appear that no one in the country is as hot as Vandy is right now. Just manhandled Florida in the SEC championship game. But is the break a good thing for the momentum? Plus you're getting a McNeese team, that pulled an upset of Clemson in the tourney last year! Now most of those pieces are gone, majority to NC State with Will Wade, but the culture is still there. This team only lost 5 games all year, but played Santa Clara, Michigan and GW, so they've seen tier bump competition. I think Vandy wins, but wouldn't be shocked if McNeese surprises.
4. Nebraska/13. Troy
Another tricky game for the P5 school. Nebraska looked great early in the year, but stumbled to the finish line. They didn't have to play the toughest Big 10 schedule, so their numbers are inflated a tiny bit. Troy is kind of in the same boat. Started 8-1 in conference, then lost 3 of their last 6 before winning their conference tournament. Victor Valdes is a really good player who is super athletic. Troy could bite the Huskers here and I wouldn't be surprised.
6. UNC/11. VCU
Well, no avoiding this one. I think VCU wins the game. They are equally athletic, and better defensively. Everyone is sleeping on the A10 this year. Djokovic will drag Veesaar away from the basket, opening up lanes for the Ram guards to do their thing.
3. Illinois/14. Penn
I have an Illini Final Four ticket from December, so I'm pulling for them, but they haven't looked great recently. When they weren't depending on Wagler, is when he was at his best. Now they are running the offense through him, and he looks uncomfortable. Penn has a coach that has been to the dance many times, but his guys are way out matched here. They shoot a ton of threes, and make a ton of them, so if they are all going down, I guess anything is possible.
7. St. Marys/10. Texas AM
I think the world of Randy Bennett and his ability to get everything from what appears to be nothing. But I think the Aggies physicality on defense really makes it hard for Marys to get anything on offense established.
2. Houston/15. Idaho
Houston is on a revenge tour for last years tournament. They just want Florida.
My South Region Final Four:
Florida/Illinois/Houston/Vanderbilt with Florida over Illinois
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