NCAA Tournament Crystal Ball
by Michael Protos
In the fourth installment of the Crystal Ball, a few trends are emerging. Illinois and North Carolina appear destined to meet for the national championship based on my projections. A month ago, I liked North Carolina to upset Illinois for the championship. But for the past three weeks, I’ve opted for the better defensive team, Illinois.
The other Final Four contenders are less clear. This week, I like Wake Forest and Washington, despite the Huskies’ loss at Arizona and the Demon Deacons’ overtime loss at Georgia Tech. But a handful of other teams are capable of getting hot and making a run to the Final Four. Teams to watch during the next week include Louisville, Pittsburgh and Alabama. These three schools are under the radar right now but are playing good basketball as the season winds down toward Selection Sunday.
On the other hand, a few teams seem poised to fall out of the field of 65. The top candidates are North Carolina State, Iowa and Arizona State. February games are the last opportunities to impress upon the selection committee that you’re worth an invitation to the Big Dance. These teams need to improve their footwork or else they’ll be wallflowers in a month.
No. 1 Seeds:
Illinois
Boston College
North Carolina
Kansas
No. 2 Seeds:
Wake Forest
Louisville
Washington
Syracuse
Last Four Teams In:
North Carolina State
Temple
Arizona State
LSU
Last Four Teams Out:
Nevada
UNLV
Texas A&M
Alabama-Birmingham
The Brackets
Chicago Region:
First and second rounds in Indianapolis
No. 1 Illinois vs. winner of the play-in game between Alabama A&M (SWAC) and Tennessee Tech (OVC)
No. 8 Notre Dame vs. No. 9 Texas Tech
First and second rounds in Nashville
No. 5 Cincinnati vs. No. 12 Arizona State
No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 13 Vermont (America East)
First and second rounds in Nashville
No. 6 Mississippi State vs. No. 11 Georgetown
No. 3 Duke vs. No. 14 Winthrop (Big South)
First and second rounds in Worcester, Mass.
No. 7 Gonzaga vs. No. 10 Wichita State (MVC)
No. 2 Syracuse vs. No. 15 Pennsylvania (Ivy)
Albuquerque Region:
First and second rounds in Oklahoma City
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 16 Portland State (Big Sky)
No. 8 Charlotte vs. No. 9 UCLA
First and second rounds in Boise, Idaho
No. 5 Connecticut vs. No. 12 Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Horizon)
No. 4 Utah vs. No. 13 Old Dominion (CAA)
First and second rounds in Cleveland
No. 6 Villanova vs. No. 11 Temple
No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Rider (MAAC)
First and second rounds in Charlotte
No. 7 Iowa vs. No. 10 Marquette
No. 2 Wake Forest vs. No. 15 Coppin State (MEAC)
Austin Region:
First and second rounds in Charlotte
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 16 UMKC (Mid-Continent)
No. 8 Florida vs. No. 9 Pacific (Big West)
First and second rounds in Tucson, Ariz.
No. 5 Pittsburgh vs. No. 12 Miami, Ohio (MAC)
No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 13 Davidson (Southern)
First and second rounds in Indianapolis
No. 6 Texas vs. No. 11 North Carolina State
No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 Holy Cross (Patriot)
First and second rounds in Cleveland
No. 7 Maryland vs. No. 10 West Virginia
No. 2 Louisville vs. No. 15 Gardner Webb (Atlantic Sun)
Syracuse Region:
First and second rounds in Worcester, Mass.
No. 1 Boston College vs. No. 16 Monmouth (NEC)
No. 8 Stanford vs. No. 9 George Washington
First and second rounds in Tucson, Ariz.
No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 LSU
No. 4 Oklahoma vs. No. 13 St. Joseph’s (Atlantic 10)
First and second rounds in Oklahoma City
No. 6 Georgia Tech vs. No. 11 St. Mary’s (WCC)
No. 3 Oklahoma State vs. No. 14 Denver (Sun Belt)
First and second rounds in Boise, Idaho
No. 7 UTEP vs. No. 10 Vanderbilt
No. 2 Washington vs. No. 15 Southeast Louisiana (Southland)
Sweet 16
Chicago
No. 1 Illinois vs. No. 4 Alabama
No. 3 Duke vs. No. 7 Gonzaga
Albuquerque
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 5 Connecticut
Wake Forest vs. Temple
Austin
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 4 Arizona
No. 2 Louisville vs. No. 3 Michigan State
Syracuse
No. 1 Boston College vs. No. 4 Oklahoma
No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Oklahoma State
Elite Eight
Chicago: No. 1 Illinois vs. No. 3 Duke
Albuquerque: No. 2 Wake Forest vs. No. 5 Connecticut
Austin: No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 2 Louisville
Syracuse: No. 1 Boston College vs. No. 2 Washington
Final Four
No. 1 Illinois vs. No. 2 Wake Forest
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 2 Washington
Championship
No. 1 Illinois beats No. 1 North Carolina
