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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 12, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans coach Tom Izzo (C) stands on the sidelines against the Maryland Terrapins during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Spartans won 64-61. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans coach Tom Izzo (C) stands on the sidelines against the Maryland Terrapins during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Spartans won 64-61. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Elite Eight

South

Maryland vs. Miami

These two teams match up very well against each other. Miami’s senior big Jekiri against Maryland’s freshman big Diamond Stone is an intriguing pairing. Jekiri’s defense has been known to disrupt many a man more experienced and mature than Stone, so how he handles frustration will be a telling sign in this contest.

Jake Layman continues to be the X-factor for the Terrapins. When he’s hitting, Maryland is extremely hard to beat, but at the same time, one bad game from him and it could mean disaster for the Terrapins. His play will make or break Maryland’s chances. That and whether Trimble can take care of the ball (averages nearly three turnovers per game).

Winner: Maryland

East

North Carolina vs. Xavier

This game could be a lot of fun to watch. Two teams that like to get up and down offensively and can put a lot of points on the board as both rank in the top 20 in points per game, both averaging more than 80 per contest.

There’s a lot to like in this game for both teams. Picking this game is rather difficult, but my big gut tells me that this is when North Carolina asserts itself on the rest of the nation.

Something to consider with UNC, though, is this little nugget: every time either North Carolina or Duke makes the Final Four, the other team makes the Final Four the next season. Duke made the Final Four last season, so …

Winner: North Carolina

Midwest

Iowa State vs. Michigan State

Two high-powered offenses colliding for a spot in the Final Four. Should this happen, this is already further in the NCAA tournament than Fred Hoiberg took the Cyclones, so Steve Prohm can at least hang his hat on that.

In the end, though, Iowa State’s starters crumble due to the high minutes volume put on them, allowing Michigan State to run away with this one.

Winner: Michigan State

West

Oregon vs. Oklahoma

O_O_O_O_O_O

Lot of Os here and a lot of offense to match. There’s no telling where this game could go, but when you have the best player in the country, you tend to have an edge that the other team can’t match. Hield is that player and it’s something Oregon doesn’t have.

Both teams are talented and the Ducks are still a rather young team. Oklahoma’s been through this before and came up short last season. They know what they’ll have to do to get there this time. The Ducks will have to find out the hard way.

Winner: Oklahoma

Next: Final Four & National Championship Pick