Predicting The 2016 NCAA Tournament Bracket

Second Overall Seed

1. Kansas Jayhawks vs. 16. North Florida Ospreys

With or without Cheick Diallo, Kansas runs through the Big 12 thanks to their depth and veteran leadership. The backcourt duo of Frank Mason and Devonte Graham makes for an interesting yet lethal duo for the Jayhawks.

North Florida continues to rise to the top in the Atlantic Sun thanks to Dallas Moore and Beau Beech and earns a pivotal win over Louisville on opening night though the selection committee still doesn’t reward them for it.

8. Xavier Musketeers vs. 9. Wisconsin Badgers

Xavier uses it’s length and athleticism to challenge in the Big East but can’t quite overcome the loss of Matt Stainbrook down low, which gives them an up-and-down season but it’s enough to earn another tourney berth.

In what could be Bo Ryan’s final act, Wisconsin finds life in the Big Ten even more difficult than normal. Nigel Hayes does everything he can to make it back to the Final Four, but is even harder to do with such a wide-open national field.

5. Baylor Bears vs. 12. Belmont Bruins

Rico Gathers and Taurean Prince establish themselves as a force in the Big 12, one that flirts with a conference title for the majority of the year. Scott Drew has himself a great team and gets many thinking he should win Coach of the Year.

Craig Bradshaw continues to get buckets and Belmont capitalizes on Murray State being on a bit of a downswing to win regular season honors and the tournament title.

4. California Golden Bears vs. 13. Central Michigan Chippewas

Cuonzo Martin’s loaded roster makes a strong case for a potential top seed in the tournament but the inexperience for their freshmen costs them in some close contests. That’s what keeps them as a four-seed.

In an interesting year for MACtion, Central Michigan rises above the rest, but narrowly. The difference is they have Chris Fowler and there’s few players in the conference that can stop him from taking over.

6. Butler Bulldogs vs. 11. Florida State Seminoles or Georgia Bulldogs

Butler’s defense still ranks near the top of the country but their offense becomes a force with Tyler Lewis running point. Roosevelt Jones still slays with his old-man style of ball.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes continues his high-scoring ways while Florida State’s freshman class helps fill in everywhere else. Georgia squeaks into the NCAA tournament field for a play-in game.

3. Oklahoma Sooners vs. 14. Robert Morris Colonials

Buddy Hield does what Buddy Hield does best and gets buckets. Oklahoma’s defense continues to improve and Lon Kruger has himself a team capable of making a Final Four run.

Robert Morris has little problem running through the NEC and makes yet another tournament appearance. However, this may be the difference for the Colonials.

7. Dayton Flyers vs. 10. Texas A&M Aggies

Dyshawn Pierre comes back just in time for Dayton to run through the Atlantic 10, keeping another round of Cinderella hopes alive for the Flyers. Until he does return, Scoochie Smith leads the way.

Danuel House leads Texas A&M to a top four finish in the SEC but struggles to earn a decisive victory to keep them from the bubble. They’ll have to fight their way to make it happen.

2. Virginia Cavaliers vs. 15. New Mexico State Aggies

Virginia’s defense makes waves once again, but it’s their offense that starts to pick up some of the slack along the way. One or two close losses keep the Cavaliers from being a top seed.

The reign of the Aggies continues for New Mexico State. After a narrow win in the conference tournament title game, NMSU is back in the big dance.

Next: Region 3