West Virginia could scare Villanova
Best Round of 64 matchup: The 8-9 pairing is usually a solid choice, and Virginia Tech-Alabama shouldn’t disappoint. Collin Sexton can be one of the most dynamic players in the country when healthy, and he has been down the stretch. The Hokies figured some things out as the season progressed, most notably how to defend the interior.
Potential upset: Stephen F. Austin is under new management but is a known giant killer. Texas Tech struggled with injuries in February, most notably to top playmaker Keenan Evans. Although the Red Raiders looked healthier in the Big 12 tournament, they might still be vulnerable. If the Lumberjacks are close, they’ll likely pick up support from the crowd in Dallas.
The sleeper: West Virginia will have its hands full just getting out of its opening game with Murray State, not to men- tion a potential Round of 32 clash with Wichita State. But if the Mountaineers advance far enough to earn a Sweet 16 date with Villanova, they might just be the kind of team that can pose problems for the Wildcats with their pressing defense. Whether West Virginia could make enough shots to keep up would be the biggest question, but the matchup could have the potential to ruin a few brackets.
The winner: With that in mind, however, the top-seeded Wildcats appear to have regained the form that had them atop the polls for much of the season. Look for Villanova to erase the memory of last year’s disappointing Roundof-32 exit and make it back to the Final Four. They are going for their second national championship in three years.