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2016 NCAA Tournament: Bracket, Preview, Breakdown & Predictions

By Nathan Giese

Mar 12, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) and teammates celebrate on the court after deating Virginia Cavaliers in the championship game of the ACC conference tournament 61-57 at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) and teammates celebrate on the court after deating Virginia Cavaliers in the championship game of the ACC conference tournament 61-57 at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) brings the ball up court against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) brings the ball up court against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Round

South

Kansas vs. Colorado 

Colorado has the big man advantage in this contest, but Kansas’ guard combo of Frank Mason and Devonte Graham have been playing outstanding lately and the Buffaloes just don’t have an answer for them.

Winner: Kansas

Maryland vs. California

Point guard play will decide this one with Tyronne Wallace going against Melo Trimble. Trimble’s been playing well this season but has been prone to turning the ball over. Wallace can light it up but has gone cold here and there with his shooting. Rasheed Sulaimon’s experience pushes the Terrapins to the second weekend.

Winner: Maryland

Wichita State vs. Miami

Can the Shockers pull off another upset? It’s two veteran backcourts with four seniors: VanVleet and Baker for Wichita State and McClelland and Rodriguez for the Hurricanes. Miami just has too many weapons.

Winner: Miami

Villanova vs. Temple

The second meeting between these two teams. Villanova won by 14 at St. Joe’s in the first meeting. The Wildcats have the size and defense to disrupt Bembry.

Winner: Villanova

East

North Carolina vs. Providence

An intriguing matchup, especially with Marcus Paige going against Kris Dunn and Brice Johnson going against Ben Bentil. Carolina isn’t great at stopping the three (36 percent three-point defense) and Providence isn’t great at shooting the three (32.1 percent). Advantage goes to the Tar Heels’ size.

Winner: North Carolina

Chattanooga vs. Kentucky

After earning the upset, Chattanooga comes out with great energy and catches Kentucky off guard to start the game, but Ulis calms the young Wildcats down and leads them to victory in convincing fashion.

Winner: Kentucky

Mar 12, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Esa Ahmad (23) shoots a jump shot as Kansas Jayhawks guard Wayne Selden Jr. (1) defends in the championship game of the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Esa Ahmad (23) shoots a jump shot as Kansas Jayhawks guard Wayne Selden Jr. (1) defends in the championship game of the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame vs. West Virginia

West Virginia has a much easier time with Notre Dame than expected, having dealt with Stephen F. Austin’s defense in the previous game that gets them going. The threes just don’t fall for the Fighting Irish to keep them in the game.

Winner: West Virginia

Xavier vs. Wisconsin

The Musketeers use their collection of talents and zone-pressure defense to rattle the Badgers’ bigs early, forcing Bronson Koening to shoot too many threes, a key to Wisconsin’s struggles early in the season.

Winner: Xavier

Midwest

Virginia vs. Butler

Butler’s struggles come to head against the Cavaliers as London Perrantes makes his mark on the tournament, taking some of the load off of Brogdon. Roosevelt Jones’ career comes to an end, sadly.

Winner: Virginia

Little Rock vs. Iowa State

Iowa State catches a break in the second round as Purdue would’ve given them all sorts of problems in the post. Instead, the Cyclones use timely shooting to advance against the Trojans.

Winner: Iowa State

Gonzaga vs. Utah

Battle of the bigs as Poeltl goes against Wiltjer and Sabonis. Poeltl has the benefit of having better wings and guards around him to take some of the pressure off.

Winner: Utah

Dayton vs. Michigan State

The Spartan’s outside shooting attacks is too much for Dayton to handle, though the Flyers don’t go quietly as they make it a tight game late before falling.

Winner: Michigan State

More hoops habit: NCAA Tournament: 5 Teams You Don't Want Your Team To Play

West: 

Oregon vs. Cincinnati

This version of Cincinnati is not as tough defensively as previous incarnations, which gives the Ducks ample opportunity to light up the scoreboard. Dillon Brooks continues his fantastic season with a double-double.

Winner: Oregon

Baylor vs. UNC Wilmington

Two good defenses in a game that will be decided by who can convert more easy baskets. Baylor has that edge, though it comes down to the wire.

Winner: Baylor

Texas vs. Texas A&M

Smart makes his mark as he helps take the Longhorns to its first Sweet 16 since 2008 by avenging an early season loss to the former Big 12 rival Aggies.

Winner: Texas

VCU vs. Oklahoma

The jumpshot lives for another day as Hield continues to make opponents look foolish by dropping a 30-spot on the Rams, who should only look at this season as a success.

Winner: Oklahoma

Next: Sweet 16