Midwest Region

The Midwest region was supposed to be the "Rock Chalk Jayhawk" region, but that is why they play the games. Here is my opinion on the matchups in this now, wide open, region.


No. 9 seed Northern Iowa vs No. 5 seed Michigan State: Kalin Lucas might be injured, but Tom Izzo will still have his team ready to play, and they better be because Northern Iowa has played the role of giant killer once and they will look to do it again. Ali Farokhmanesh shot "lights out" against Kansas and will look to do it again against the Spartans. I suspect Izzo will have his eye on this kid and one of his bigger guards will get the assignment to shut the "pure shooter" down. Korie Lucious, Durrell Summers, and Chris Allen might all guard him to give him some different looks and it will help to keep a fresh man on him. My question is how are they going to stop Jared Eglseder inside. This big man lit up Cole Aldrich in the second round and I don't know if the Spartans can limit his touches.

Northern Iowa, on the other hand, will have to contend with sharp shooting Durrell Summers and crew. Michigan State loves to run a lot of high post plays, so look for the Spartans to try to come out and get Summers open for some looks early. Without Lucas however, someone will have to pick up the slack, Raymar Morgan will look to be a "stat stuffer" and also look for his shot more in this game.

I don't look for this to be a high scoring affair, ball control will once again be a key for UNI, if they limit the possessions of the Spartans I feel like this is a very winnable ballgame for them.

I am predicting they do, and without Lucas it will be hard for the Spartans to beat the Panthers.

Predicted winner: Northern Iowa

No.6 seed Tennessee vs No.2 seed Ohio State: These two teams matchup nicely on paper, but this game will come down to one name, "Bobby Maze" if this kid can keep it together for the Volunteers and help them to control pace, UT can pull off the upset; if however, he gets careless, turns the ball over, and looks for his jump shot too much, OSU can rule and march on.

Scotty Hopson, J.P. Prince, Wayne Chism: all long and athletic, on the filp side, Evan Turner, David Lighty, William Buford, all can score at will. Tennessee will need to not only need good guard play from Maze but will need to limit OSU in the fast break game, and use quick guard play to get Turner frustrated and maybe cause some turnovers. Look for UT to pressure the ball and then drop back in a zone.

OSU needs to be stingy and play right up in the Volunteers grill. If they get up early this game could out of hand, but if they let UT get open looks, this one could get interesting.

Predicted Winner: Ohio State

Unitl Next Time, Adios