March Madness is just one day away and obsession over picks is always high at this point in the season. And why wouldn't people obsess over these picks? Who doesn't want to win their bracket pool? For previews of the West and East regions, check out the links posted here and here. In this article, we'll take a look at the South Region.
Favorites: UNC, Kentucky, UCLA.
This region is really tough. The top three seeds all have a chance to make a deep run in the Ncaa Tournament. UNC has an experienced team that made it to the national championship last season.
Their size will be difficult for everyone in the NCAA tournament to deal with, and that makes them the favorite to win this region.
On the bottom portion of the bracket is Kentucky, a team that also has a chance to make a deep run this season. Kentucky bowed out early to Indiana last year, and will look to avoid a similar fate this season. To make a Final Four run, they'll have to beat a tough group of teams that includes UCLA.
UCLA is a controversial team for more reasons than Lonzo Ball's dad. There's no question that UCLA can score the ball, but playing defense seems to be a foreign concept to this team. In addition, UCLA didn't play a particularly tough schedule, which left them on the 3 line despite a 29-4 record.
Don't count this team out of the NCAA tournament. With Lonzo Ball, UCLA will always have a chance in every game.
Darkhorse: Butler.
Butler was projected as a 3 seed by most outlets prior to conference tournament play. And it made sense to place them there. They have 10 victories over top 50 RPI opponents, including two victories against overall number one seed Villanova.
Nobody is talking about this team, but it's similar to the defensive one that nearly managed to win a national championship against Duke. UNC better be careful, or they might get bitten by a dog that sends the team home early.
Upset Pick: Middle Tennessee State.
This year, MTSU barely qualifies as an upset. In last year's tournament, 15 seeded Middle Tennessee State shocked the world by taking out 2 seed Michigan State in the first round.
This season, the team is even better, and might have even been awarded an at large bid if they had not won their conference tournament. They get to take on a Minnesota team that will be without one of their starting five, Akeem Springs. Don't be shocked to see MTSU get the victory in a classic 5 12 game.
