2016 NCAA Tournament: Bracket, Preview, Breakdown & Predictions
By Nathan Giese
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
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