Posted by Ryan Terpstra on March 14th, 2012
It’s my favorite sports time of year! The NCAA Tournament is here!!! While we all feverishly try and figure out with first round upset to pick, I have some thoughts on how the Big Ten will perform. Will the best conference in the country find success in the Big Dance? Here are Five Bold Predictions…
Will Draymond Green have a chance to cut down the nets in another Final Four? (photo: Reuters)
#1 – Hello, Big Ten. Allow me to embrace you: The Big Ten was the best conference in college basketball this year, and while the league only got six teams into the Tournament, it has five teams seeded as a #4 seed or higher. Purdue is the only seed not “favored” in their game, but don’t be surprised if Purdue is favored in Vegas against St. Mary’s. If you are participating in a pool in Big Ten country, don’t listen to those who call you a homer. All six Big Ten teams will win in their opening game matchups, and I believe that two of them are headed to the Final Four.
#2 – Don’t buy all this Memphis stuff when it comes to MSU: Michigan State earned its #1 seed with a great Big Ten tournament performance, and now everyone’s feathers are all ruffled because they think Memphis could upset the Spartans early. I watched Memphis play earlier this year when they lost to Michigan, and did not come away impressed. They have great athletes, but I have no faith in Josh Pastner as a big-time coach. When it comes to quick turnarounds, no one can scout and adjust like Tom Izzo. It’s almost an art form how well Izzo and his staff prepares MSU for their next NCAA game in less than 48 hours. Finally, Conference USA is no Big Ten, and when Memphis played outside of their conference they lost to Georgetown (twice), Murray State, Louisville, and Michigan. Their best win over a tournament team is against Xavier. Michigan State, meanwhile, just won the Big Ten tournament by beating Wisconsin and Ohio State, two wins much more impressive than anything the Tigers have on their resume. Why should the Spartans be scared again???
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| Tagged: adreian payne, branden dawson, brandon wood, draymond green, georgetown, jared sullinger, john beilein, josh pastner, kansas, louisville, memphis, michigan, michigan state, murray state, ohio state, purdue, robbie hummel, st mary's, Thad Motta, tom izzo, william buford, wisconsin, xavier
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