March Insanity has begun with the discharge of the NCAA event bracket. Right here’s a primary have a look at the bracket and breaking down UCLA’s and USC’s first-round opponents.
UCLA vs. Akron
1. It’s all in regards to the matchups. Assuming the Bruins (25-7) get previous Thirteenth-seeded Akron (24-9) within the first spherical, they possible would face fifth-seeded St. Mary’s (in any other case generally known as the staff that beat Gonzaga) within the second spherical. The Gaels are scrappy however not overly athletic or prolonged, which means it’s an excellent matchup for the Bruins. Subsequent up would almost definitely be top-seeded Baylor, which isn't almost as scary because it was final season, when it was in any other case generally known as the staff that beat Gonzaga. The Bruins most likely did nicely to keep away from a possible matchup with Gonzaga earlier than the Remaining 4.
2. San Diego snubbed? Many of the widely-used metrics ranked UCLA above Texas Tech, which might have put the Bruins within the San Diego pod for the primary and second video games. However the NCAA event choice committee clearly disagreed, giving the Crimson Raiders the No. 3 seed that despatched them to San Diego whereas transport the Bruins up the West Coast to Portland, Ore. Oh, nicely. A minimum of it’s a foodie’s paradise.
3. Lengthy distance runaround? UCLA getting put within the East Area signifies that the regional semifinal and finals could be on the Wells Fargo Heart in Philadelphia, ought to the Bruins advance that far. That’s a protracted technique to make one of many prime groups within the nation go that deep into the event. Carry your winter coat.
USC vs. Miami
1. The committee wasn’t that impressed with USC’s record-breaking resume. The Trojans received 25 regular-season video games — a program document —- however nonetheless discovered themselves a No. 7 seed in Greenville, S.C., the place they’re unlikely to get many followers to journey. Andy Enfield was hopeful USC (26-7) could be seeded increased, however an absence of top-tier wins — solely two in opposition to event groups — wasn’t sufficient. A minimum of ahead Chevez Goodwin will get to go near dwelling for his USC swan music.
2. USC could have hassle maintaining with Miami. The Hurricanes (23-10) aren’t probably the most constant staff, however their offense ranks among the many prime 20 within the nation, in line with KenPom.com. A January win over Duke confirmed what Miami is able to at its greatest, and it almost knocked off Duke once more this week within the ACC event. Guard Kameron McGusty is among the prime scorers within the ACC at 17.6 factors per sport.
3. It’s a tricky street again to the event’s second weekend. Not solely does USC must shake off its final two weeks to get previous Miami, however Auburn and its freshman star Jabari Smith possible loom within the second spherical. Wisconsin and its excruciatingly sluggish tempo is one other robust out within the backside half of the Midwest Area.
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