The first full round (64) starts on March 21, 2019.
Welcome to KJ's round-by-round
prediction of the Tourney. This page hosts the Regional Final matchups.
EAST REGION
EAST REGION
| #1 Duke | <<< Predict | #2 Michigan State |
| Synopsis: Duke again struggled to beat Virginia Tech, and a final last ditch effort by the Hokies fell just short, allowing the Blue Devils to make the Regional Finals. Michigan State on the other hand... dominated LSU and put finality on the Tiger's nebulous season. This one will be a knock down drag out, and if Sparty can build an early lead, they could well take out Duke. But Duke has survived brusing battles twice before, and the Blue Devils have the slightest of edges. | ||
WEST REGION
| #1 Gonzaga | Predict >>> | #3 Texas Tech |
| Synopsis: Surprise! The Zags that have showed up to the tournament are the good Zags and not the chokejob that gave Saint Mary's College an automatic berth in the tourney. But, surprise, Texas Tech is VERY GOOD. Another Elite Eight appearance was the Red Raiders to have after a smashing of the Wolverines. Gonzaga did good to get here, but I think the Red Raiders pull it off and get to the Big Stage. | ||
| #1 Virginia | Predict >>> | #3 Purdue |
| Synopsis: Purdue took overtime to down Tennessee, but they got it done. Virginia had probably the easiest potential game as a one seed versus the 12-seed Oregon Ducks, and they finally just managed to put away Oregon and avoid another embarrassment. Virginia's gameplay has been suspect for the longest time, and Purdue is a scrappier team. The Boilermakers get to clip the nets on this one. | ||
MIDWEST REGION
| #2 Kentucky | Predict >>> | #5 Auburn |
| Synopsis: Of the #1 seeds that were anticipating going down first in the tournament, no one expected UNC. Auburn blasted the Tar Heels out of the tournament (and blew a whale of a hole into my bracket, but that's whatever at this stage), but their top player suffered a injury. Kentucky has had two very close games against Wofford and Houston, and Auburn is a cut above. Even with their top player injured, I think Auburn is going to just edge Kentucky out, denying Coach Callipari access to Minneapolis. | ||
