MIDWEST REGION PREDICTIONS – 2013 NCAA Tournament Free Picks & Sleepers
The Louisville Cardinals were given the number one overall seed in this year’s March Madness Bracket by the selection committee. What was their reward for being the top overall seed? Somehow it seems like the Cardinals have been given the toughest region loaded with perennial powerhouses that normally have a lot of success in the NCAA Tournament.
Let’s take a closer look at this loaded region.
Midwest Bracket- The Elite
#1 Seed- Louisville Cardinals
Odds to win Midwest Region from Bookmaker: +115
The Cardinals are the number one overall seed for a reason; this team is loaded with talent and athleticism. Still, they have shown the ability to lose some games they should have won (think the Notre Dame 5 Overtime game). They’ve been great defensively all year, but sometimes they go on long scoring droughts. Their decision making on the offensive end occasionally gets them in trouble. Peyton Siva is a great senior leader at point guard, and he need stay out of foul trouble. The Cardinals ability to use full court pressure or sit back in a half court zone makes them very difficult to game plan against. Louisville is second only to VCU in forced turnovers this year. If Louisville plays like they did in the second half against Syracuse, they are the favorite to cut down the nets in Atlanta.
The Contenders
#2 Seed- Duke Blue Devils
Odds to win Midwest Region from Bookmaker: +300
As recently as a week ago some thought the Blue Devils could grab the number one overall seed, but they end up as the second seed in the same bracket with the top seed overall after a disappointing loss to Maryland in the ACC Tournament. Ryan Kelly looks pretty healthy right now, and that really makes Duke a legitimate contender. Duke beat Louisville earlier this year on a neutral floor. Duke made 23 out of 27 free throws in that game compared to just 9 out of 14 for Louisville. Duke’s defense is much better than it was last year, but it still isn’t up to par with Louisville. The Blue Devils have more three-point shooters than any other team in the nation, and they can score points in bunches.
#3 Seed- Michigan State Spartans
Odds to win Midwest Region from Bookmaker: +650
Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans can never be overlooked in March. This team always rounds into form just in time for the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans were the last Big Ten team to win an NCAA title back in 2000. Tom Izzo seems to make a living at the Final Four. The strength of this team is their frontcourt. Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix are as physical as any frontcourt in the country. Michigan State can dominate most opponents on the glass. Turnovers have been a problem for the Spartans in their losses. This isn’t Izzo’s most talented team ever, but they’ll be a tough out.
#4 Seed- St. Louis Billikens
Odds to win Midwest Region from Bookmaker: +750
St. Louis might fly under the radar a bit since they play in the Atlantic 10, but this team is definitely a contender. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Billikens have only lost one game since the middle of January (an overtime loss at Xavier). St. Louis has big wins over VCU (two times), New Mexico, and Butler (three times) this season. St. Louis takes great care of the basketball, and they can really lock it down on the defensive end. This team is a real matchup nightmare for most teams in this region.
The Sleepers
#8 Seed- Colorado State
Odds to win Midwest Region from Bookmaker: +4,000
Larry Eustachy’s team leads the nation in rebounding. Pierce Hornung and Colton Iverson are absolute beasts on the glass. Colorado State has been a team I’ve had my eye on all season. The Mountain West Conference was a terrific conference this year (arguably the second or third best in the nation). Unfortunately for Colorado State they drew a tough first round opponent, but the Rams are still capable of making some noise.
#12 Seed- Oregon Ducks
Odds to win Midwest Region from Bookmaker: +7,500
No team was underseeded more than the Oregon Ducks by this selection committee. They won the PAC 12 Tournament and finished second in the regular season and they could only muster a number 12 seed?! The Ducks can’t be happy about this, and teams that come into the NCAA Tournament ticked off can be good to back for a round or two. They can’t win the region, but they could win a couple games here.
The Pick
I can’t bring myself to pick anyone other than the Cardinals here. Michigan State doesn’t seem to have enough talent in the backcourt to stick with Louisville. Duke is probably the one team that matches up pretty well with Louisville, but I like the Cardinals defense to win this region for them.
Midwest Region Free Pick: Louisville +115
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