2019 NCAA Bracket Picks – South Region Odds & Bracketology Predictions: The South Region of the 2019 NCAA Tournament Bracket looks to be a little top heavy this year. Top-seeded Virginia and second-seeded Tennessee have both spent time at No. 1 this year. After that, the bracket looks wide open, and there are several potential upset candidates lurking.
2019 NCAA Bracket Picks: South Region Odds & Bracketology Predictions
NCAA South Bracket Favorites to Make the Final Four
Virginia: Last year, Virginia made dubious history, becoming the first No. 1 seed to fall to a No. 16 seed. The Cavaliers are once again a defensive-minded team. However, in addition to having the top-rated scoring defense, they also have a dangerous offensive this time around. Virginia is shooting 40.9 percent from the 3-point line as a team. Plus they have a legit NBA prospect in De’Andre Hunter to turn to if they are stuck in offensive droughts. Plus, the sting of last year’s upset should ensure that Virginia is focused.
Tennessee: Yes, they are coming off a disappointing exit in the SEC tourney, but the Volunteers are one of my favorite teams in this entire NCAA Tournament. They are deep and versatile on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. They have five players averaging in double figures, and they are shooting 49.8 percent as a team while averaging more than 82 points per game. On the defensive end, they have the length and athleticism to switch and guard the 3-point line. Tennessee has all the pieces.
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NCAA South Bracket Upset Specials
Old Dominion over Purdue: Purdue picked up some big wins during the course of conference play. The Boilermakers high-powered offense certainly helped them hold their own in the Big Ten. However, I am a little concerned about how much they struggled against solid out-of-conference competition. Purdue lost to Virginia Tech, Florida State, Texas and Notre Dame, and Old Dominion brings a relentless defense and decent firepower from beyond the arc. I think the Boilermakers are a bit overrated for a No. 3 seed.
Iowa over Cincinnati: The Bearcats are riding high after winning the American Athletic Conference tournament title while the Hawkeyes got blasted right out of the Big Ten tourney. However, these two teams both run hot and cold. For the Bearcats, they can go through long stretches of offensive inefficiency, especially from the foul line and beyond the 3-point line. Iowa actually has decent numbers in terms of offensive efficiency (over 36 percent from deep), and after playing some of their best basketball of the year, the Bearcats could be due for a regression to the mean.
NCAA South Bracket High Seed on Alert
Kansas State: The Wildcats have plenty of big wins on their resume, and they will grind you on the defensive end. Kansas State heads into the NCAA Tournament ranked third in the country in scoring defense (59.2). On the flip side, this is not a great shooting team. Kansas State has failed to reach 50 points in multiple losses, including an ugly loss to Tulsa earlier this year. The Wildcats also saw their run in the Big 12 tournament come to an end after mustering just 59 points against Iowa State. Defense is a great, but Kansas State could be one rough shooting night away from being upset.
NCAA South Bracket PREDICTION: Tennessee Volunteers
2019 NCAA Bracket South Region Odds
South Regional Winner
Virginia (#1) +135
Tennessee (#2) +300
Purdue (#3) +500
Villanova (#6) +750
Kansas State (#4) +1000
Cincinnati (#7) +1500
Wisconsin (#5) +2800
Mississippi (#8) +3000
Oregon (#12) +3500
St Mary’s CA (#11) +4000
Iowa (#10) +5000
Oklahoma (#9) +5000
Cal Irvine (#13) +8000
Old Dominion (#14) +8000
Colgate (#15) +20000
Gardner Webb (#16) +20000
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