It’s the most wonderful time of the year for college basketball aficionados, as March Madness is upon us. With that in mind, here’s a look at 15 bold predictions for the 2016 NCAA tournament.
15. Kansas Fails To Make Final Four
Getty ImagesBill Self's bunch has had an excellent season, but will unfortunately fall apart in the Elite Eight and miss the Final Four.
14. Xavier Wins The East Bracket
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Xavier has a fairly easy path until the Elite Eight. Once they get there, the Musketeers are likely to face either Kentucky or North Carolina, which are winnable games.
13. Michigan State Clobbers Virginia In Elite Eight
Getty ImagesTom Izzo's bunch should have been a No. 1 seed and will carry a chip on their collective shoulders throughout the entire tournament. After running roughshod over the rest of the Midwest bracket, the Spartans will manhandle the Virginia Cavaliers to cement yet another Final Four appearance.
12. Miami Makes Final Four
Jason Getz-USA TODAY SportsAfter Maryland takes out Kansas in the Sweet 16, the Terrapins will be the only thing standing in the way of a Final Four bid for the Miami Hurricanes. Expect head coach Jim Larrañaga to find a way to get the best out of his bunch just like he has all season.
11. Texas A&M Smokes Oklahoma
Getty ImagesTexas A&M fell a little short in the SEC tournament against Kentucky, but they had an excellent season and are primed to make noise out west. In the Aggies' inevitable matchup with Oklahoma in the Sweet 16, expect Danuel House and Co. to carve the Sooners' suspect defense to shreds.
10. Oregon Defeats Duke In Sweet 16 Thriller
Getty ImagesThe Oregon Ducks were awarded their first No. 1 seed in school history and will take advantage by breezing through their first two games. However, in order to make the Final Four and truly compete for a National Championship, the boys from Eugene have to get through the Duke Blue Devils in the Sweet 16. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, the Ducks will send Coach K home packing.
9. Temple Beats Villanova In Battle For Philadelphia
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY SportsVillanova's been excellent this season and is undoubtedly a strong No. 2 seed, but something tells me the Temple Owls will win the battle between these two Philadelphia area schools.
8. Iona Makes The Sweet 16
Getty ImagesSometimes in the NCAA tournament, it's not about which team has the most talent but instead which team gets hot at the right time. The Iona Gaels have won eight straight games and 12 out of their last 13, and they carry undeniable momentum into their first game against Iowa State. Expect the Gaels to take care of business against the Cyclones and follow with a win over Purdue to reach the Sweet 16.
7. Yale Shocks Baylor
Getty ImagesThe Yale Bulldogs will be making their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1962 when they take on the Baylor Bears. Don't think for a minute that the Ivy-Leaguers are going to let this opportunity get away from them. Expect Yale to shock the masses with a five-point win on Thursday.
6. Texas A&M Crushes Oregon In Elite Eight
Getty ImagesDespite gaining a ton of momentum by defeating Duke in the Sweet 16, the Oregon Ducks will finally come back down to earth against the Texas A&M Aggies. Expect Danuel House and Jalen Jones to leave Dana Altman scratching his head throughout all 40 minutes.
5. Stony Brook Forces Overtime Against Kentucky
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY SportsThe Stony Brook Seawolves are making their first ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2016 and have drawn a tough opponent in the mighty Kentucky Wildcats. However, senior forward Jameel Warney has the type of skill set and size that will keep Stony Brook close throughout the entire game. John Calipari's bunch will ultimately persevere, but the Wildcats will need overtime to get past the resilient Seawolves.
4. Stephen F. Austin Shocks West Virginia
Getty ImagesWest Virginia spent a ton of energy attempting to take Kansas down in the Big 12 tournament final. Stephen F. Austin is primed for a Cinderella run and will make the Mountaineers their first victim on Friday.
3. Michigan State Manhandles Xavier, Earns Championship Appearance With 15-Point Win
Getty ImagesAfter their No. 1 seed snub, the Michigan State Spartans are going to be an angry bunch throughout the tournament. Expect the Spartans to ransack Xavier on their way to yet another national championship game.
2. Miami Cements Finals Appearance With Late Win Over Texas A&M In Final Four
Getty ImagesTexas A&M will keep this one close, but the Miami Hurricanes, led by an otherworldly showing from senior guard Sheldon McClellan, will pull off a comeback win to cement Miami's first ever finals appearance.
1. Michigan State Embarrasses Miami, Wins Third National Championship
Getty ImagesIt seems like Michigan State makes a deep run every year, only to fall short for all the marbles. The Spartans haven't won a title since 2000, but they will finally get over the hump after clobbering the Miami Hurricanes by 15 points at minimum.
