Jake's Midwest Region Bracket

"This is March."- Jon Rothstein. Welcome to the most fantastic three weeks of the year, and I have you covered. In my previous articles, I finished second out of twenty-five in my conference tournament pool, and this month has been an excellent month for me. There are three more weeks, and let's try to capitalize on the most intriguing tournament in years! Here is my Midwest Region Bracket:

My winner: Texas
Texas had dealt with many controversies this year, especially with the firing of Chris Beard, who now is the head coach of Ole Miss. However, it seemed as if Texas ignored all the negativity surfacing the team, kept business per usual, and won the Big 12. Texas is an elite squad with a top-20 offense and defense efficiency. All winners in March Madness over the past 12 years had at least a top 25 offensive efficiency and a top 40 defensive efficiency, and Texas has both. Texas is led by a two-headed monster in the backcourt with Marcus Carr and Sir Jabari Rice and has gotten points down low through an aggressive Timmy Allen. Texas has capitalized on every opportunity and continues to thrive through adversity. However, their first-round match-up with Colgate has caused me to be worried, but if they get through Colgate, they will be in the clear. Colgate, the past two tournaments have been up on Arkansas and Wisconsin for most of the game, and both teams found a way in the end to win. Colgate has experience in March, which could be the year Colgate gets over the hump and plays the spoiler. If they get past Colgate, I have them beating Penn State, Iowa State, then Indiana to make it back to Texas for the Final Four. Texas will return to Texas in three weeks if it controls its game.

My highlight game of the Round of 64: Kent State vs. Indiana

Kent State won the MAC this year behind their stellar defense. Ranked in the top 40, they helped hold off a Toledo team that could score at a great rate, being the fifth most efficient offense in the country. Following their embarrassing loss to St. Mary's in the tournament last year, they returned hungrier this year and finished near the top of the Big Ten, beating Purdue twice. One thing that wins in March is defense. The quote goes, "offense wins games, defense wins championships." It could be a long day for the Hoosiers if Kent State handles Trayce Jackson-Davis down low and Indiana's steller guards in Jalen Hood-Schifino and Trey Galloway. However, this is IU's final dance for Trayce Jackson-Davis, Miller Kopp, and Race Thompson. Indiana vs. Kent State will be a good game, and the current spread is IU -4.5. I think Kent State will keep the game close, but eventually, Indiana will go on a run and take over the competition. My model predicts Indiana to win by -5.5.
My pick: Indiana

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