Matt’s Picks

Overrated: Marquette

I am not a fan of the Big East this year. They have three teams in the tournament: 1 UConn, 2 Marquette, and 3 Creighton. They all had great regular seasons, but I have the feeling that they were beating up on subpar teams (I’m looking at you 9-23 (2-18) Georgetown and 3-29 (0-20) DePaul). I believe at least one of them will be upset early, and I’m picking Marquette to lose to a First Four team in Colorado. 

Underrated: Auburn

Auburn stormed its way to the SEC championship, but the Tigers only earned a 4 seed. That is likely because they didn’t beat a top SEC seed on their way to the title. However, historically, teams that win their conference tournament do really well in the NCAA Tournament, and I like them to upset UConn in the Sweet Sixteen and make the Final Four.

Cinderella: Colorado, New Mexico

I predict that Colorado and New Mexico will make the Sweet Sixteen as double-digit seeds. First Four teams tend to do well in the NCAA Tournament and as a team that just barely lost to PAC-12 champions Oregon in the title game, I can see them finding a way to pull off two bracket breaking upsets. While for New Mexico, it is another team that won its conference tournament. The Lobos are facing a sluggish Clemson team and have the potential to knock off Baylor with their style of play.

Final Four: Auburn, Arizona, Houston, Purdue

My Final Four teams have two things in common: they have something to prove and shoot the ball efficiently. Arizona, Houston, and Purdue all were embarrassingly upset last year and will likely be entering the tournament with a chip on their shoulder. Arizona has the potential for an offensive explosion at any moment, Purdue finally has good guard play, Houston can lock it down defensively, and I already told you about Auburn.

Champion: Houston

Analytics love the Cougars, but I think the reason that they will win it all comes down to their move to the Big 12 this year. Houston was stuck in the American, and in the Big 12, a significantly better conference, the Cougars still dominated up until their blowout loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship game. For my sake, I hope they shrug off that loss and don’t pull a Purdue.

Eddie’s Picks

Overrated: Purdue

I don’t know anything about these teams but Purdue sent me a lot of emails and it was annoying. Is this fueled by spite? Yes.

Underrated: Texas Tech

They seem pretty cool.

Cinderella: Utah State

I had to look up what this meant and this means I’m very qualified to pick Utah State here. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know.

Final Four: Illinois, North Carolina, Texas Tech, Utah State

I kind of just picked teams at random, even after figuring out what the numbers meant halfway through.

Champion: Illinois

I like their logo. It’s neat.

Joey’s Picks

Overrated: I think the ACC overall will have a really poor showing this year so none of their teams will go past the sweet 16, especially North Carolina. Plus Duke is soft and waitlisted my friend. 

Underrated: Drake has had an awesome year, and the basketball team is okay too I guess. 

Cinderella: Texas, Oakland, and Drake. 

Final Four: Auburn, New Mexico, Texas, and Houston 

Champion:  Texas…… HOOK EM

Analysis: I picked teams in the southwest to go really far, however I spited Baylor because they would not stop sending me mail for college applications.

Brady’s Picks

Overrated: Alabama

Bama is going up against a Charleston team that plays the same fast pace game that they do and I could see the Crimson Tide taking a fall in the first round this year. 

Underrated: South Carolina

From being projected dead last in the SEC to making the NCAA tournament, this South Carolina team is playing with confidence. I think this chip will propel the Gamecocks to the Final Four.

Cinderella: Morehead St. and Akron

I think these teams are going to pull major upsets this year. There is no rhyme or reason but I think these teams will pull major upsets. 

Final Four: Iowa State, North Carolina, Houston, South Carolina

I believe these teams are some of the most battle tested teams in the country and a trip to the Final Four will solidify that. 

Champion: North Carolina

Experience, experience, experience. This UNC team is led by RJ Davis and Armando Bacot who were on the team that finished runner-up in the 2022 tournament. I think this team is getting hot at the right time and will bring home the National Championship to Chapel Hill.

Will’s Picks

Overrated: Duke is soft this year and just because they have a reputation people think they are gonna do well. Also they waitlisted my friend.

Underrated: Dayton is a personal favorite of mine and I think that people underestimate what they can do. I don’t think they win the championship this year but they have a really good future ahead of them

Cinderella: I’m not gonna lie, I don’t watch low seed teams because I have that winning mindset, but I like Oakland because it reminds me of the Pittsburgh Oakland and I like it there. I don’t even know where Oakland is.

Final four: Auburn, North Carolina, Marquette, and Creighton because generally I pick the good teams because if I stay in my own fantasy world everything is okay and there will be no crazy upsets. 

Champion: Auburn is overall really good and I can see them making it far, I like how they have performed this season and I could see them winning it all. 

Jack’s Picks

Overrated: Texas tech: Guys I don’t watch college basketball I’m so uninformed that it is laughable. But I think NC State is beating them. I just have this feeling. Matt won’t stop hyping them up. I am a D1 hater, not a D1 basketball player, so I have to hate on some picks. No hard feelings. 

Underrated: NC State: They are beating Texas Tech. No further questions. 

Cinderella: I don’t have any Cinderella picks. I’m a simple man. I see rankings, I pick the lowest number. Realistic? No. Fun? Kinda. It’s not like I’m watching basketball anyways. Sorry folks. 

Final Four: UConn and North Carolina, Houston and Purdue: I’m feeling frisky (translation: I’m lazy and they are all 1 seeds. Won’t happen, but just imagine.)

Champion: UConn: Some shirtless dude screaming on tik tok really stuck with me. He knew how to rally the troops and had Uconn winning. If Barstool doesn’t catch wind of his account then the internet has failed me. If they don’t win then the internet has also failed me.