Volunteers will get job done
Best first-round matchup
Wisconsin vs. Oregon. The No. 5-No. 12 game usually pairs a power-conference team against a mid-major champion. OK, one might argue the Pac-12 looked more like a mid-major this season, but this is still an attractive clash of name-brand programs. The Ducks enter the tournament on an eight-game winning streak, including a fourgame run through the Pac-12 tournament, and they’re getting excellent floor leadership from Payton Pritchard. The Badgers will pose a tough defensive challenge for Oregon, but Wisconsin sometimes finds points hard to come by, too.
Potential upset
We direct your attention to No. 13 seed UC-Irvine. The Anteaters haven’t lost since Jan. 16, and their nonconference slate features victories against NCAA participants Saint Mary’s and Montana. No. 4 seed Kansas State can struggle to score, and Dean Wade (foot) still might be limited.
The sleeper
Can a defending national champion really be called a sleeper? We think Villanova can in this case. As a No. 6 seed, the Wildcats are going to have a hard time just reaching the Sweet 16. First-round opponent Saint Mary’s won’t be a pushover, and a likely encounter against Purdue would be up next. But seniors Phil Booth and Eric Paschall know how to win on the big stage. If the Wildcats somehow make it to the second weekend, watch out.
The winner
Tennessee. It’s hard to trust Virginia to reach the Final Four. At some point, the Cavaliers are going to encounter a team capable of making contested shots while taking them out of their deliberate offense. That team just might be the Volunteers. They weren’t themselves in the SEC title game after getting past Kentucky in the semifinals, but they should be ready to make a run to Minneapolis.