By: Jake Riepma
If you're like me, you've reached the point where your bracket is completely busted, and you couldn't care less about seeing your prior predictions come into fruition, you just want to see some great basketball this weekend. But of course, given the local ties, this weekend is also all about seeing Michigan State bring home the title.
I suppose there are the 0.02 percent of people who correctly predicted all four final four teams, and thus can still root for their respective brackets, but in all likelihood, this weekend allows most viewers to return to the usual state of consumption as fans of the sport.
So while you're enjoying the final three games of the college basketball season, here are four predictions to be on the lookout for. Like always, these predictions can, (and surely will) go wrong, but If I were a betting man, here's what I'd be placing my chips.
1. Tom Izzo Gets his Second Title
You've heard it all week and it's worth reiterating – this feels like Michigan State's tournament to win. The mojo around Tom Izzo, Cassius Winston, and the rest of the green and white feels like a team of destiny – it feels special. You could make the case the win over Duke was the largest obstacle in the Spartans' way, and after slaying the giant, MSU is in the drivers' seat holding the keys. Texas Tech's defense is stingy, so State will have to knockdown shots (you're welcome for that hard-hitting analysis) but when the dust settles, I believe Michigan State moves on to the title game. Regardless of who State meets in the title game, look for the Spartans to deliver Tom Izzo's second national championship.
2. Auburn's guards will be too much for Virginia to handle
I know Auburn is banged up at the worst possible time of the year being without its star forward Chuma Okeke, but the Tigers are still extremely explosive on the offensive end, especially in the backcourt. Look at the Elite 8 game against Kentucky – Jared Harper and Bryce Brown combined for over half of Auburn's points en route to the overtime win. Virginia's defense as a team is better than Kentucky, so it will be more of a challenge for Harper and Brown to get going, but it feels like there are a lot of people sleeping on Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers. Not so fast, I think Auburn pulls the surprising upset and knocks off Virginia thanks largely to the play of Harper and Brown.
3. Matt McQuaid steps up big and becomes an X-Factor.
This one is totally a gut feeling and probably more of a weird hope and prayer rather than an analytical hypothesis. I don't know exactly what it is, but I love when Matt McQuaid gets going on offense, and it hasn't happened yet this tournament. McQuaid has been held in check, only scoring in double figures once – a ten point performance against Bradley – but I'm praying the Matt Mcquaid that dropped 27 in the Big Ten Tournament championship game makes another appearance.
4. Jim Nantz gives his tie to Cassius Winston
I would be remised if I didn't include Cassius Winston in this weekend's happenings. The guy has carried the Spartans this far, and the storybook season will conclude with Winston earning Jim Nantz's tie. Coming off a not-too-shabby twenty-point, ten-assist performance against Duke in the Elite 8, Winston has been the fuel that's kept the Spartans' motor running all year. In order for them to reach the promise land, he has to be spectacular, and he will be.
I like Michigan State over Texas Tech, and Auburn over Virginia, followed by the Spartans winning the title on Monday night.
Ideally, these predictions won't be as bad as my bracket, but regardless, I'll be enjoying every moment of the final weekend of college basketball, despite not being in the 0.02 percent that accurately predicted it.
