BROOKLYN, NY – March 24: The March Madness logo on the floor before a second round NCAA Tournament game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Northwestern Wildcats at Barclays Center on March 24, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images)
It’s not always easy to separate from the pack. So, before filling out your March Madness bracket sheets, here are five BOLD predictions for the first round of this year’s NCAA Tournament.
5. Seven of the 14 SEC teams will lose in the first round.
CONWAY, SC – NOVEMBER 18: The Texas A&M Aggies logo on a pair of shorts during a second round game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational college basketball game against the Colorado Buffaloes at HTC Center on November 18, 2022 in Conway, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee certainly appear to be safe, but schools like Mississippi State, Missouri, and even Texas A&M have tougher draws than most realize.
4. At least one #3 seed will lose to a #14-seeded first-round opponent.
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 17: The Iowa State Cyclones logo on. Pair of shorts during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Iowa State and Kentucky are missing quality players. Could this be the opening that a Cinderella needs?
3. At least one #4 seed will lose to a 13th-seeded first-round opponent.
COLLEGE PARK, MD – JANUARY 10: The Purdue Boilermakers logo on their uniform during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on January 10, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
Looking up at High Point, who faces Purdue, or down to Grand Canyon, who faces Maryland, one of these 13-seeded teams could pull it off.
2. At least two #12 seeds will pull off the upset of a #5 seeded team.
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 25: The Memphis Tigers logo shown on a pic of shorts during a Maui Invitational college basketball game against the Connecticut Huskies at The Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2024 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Interestingly enough, Colorado State is actually favored over Memphis to win by Vegas.
1. All #1 and #2 seeds will win their opening round games by double-digit points.
DURHAM, NC – DECEMBER 18: A detail view of Nike basketballs prior to the game between the Elon Phoenix and the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
Florida, Duke, Auburn, Houston, Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan State, and St. John’s might face stiff competition, but it won’t be in the Round of 64.
