It’s bracket time!!!

Let’s take a look at the Southwest Region…

Most Exciting Opening Round Matchup:

Texas A&M and Florida State.  This is truly a matchup that could swing either way.  Both teams have good playmakers at the point.  Derwyn Kitchen is a multi-faceted guard, with great rebounding and defensive abilities.  B.J. Holmes shoots over 40% from downtown and can get into the lane.  But the game’s most impactful presence is still a question mark.  A healthy Chris Singleton would provide the Seminoles with someone who will shadow every step that Khris Middleton takes.  It could very well be the difference between winning and losing for each of these teams.

Most Unheralded Players in the Region:

Preston Knowles (Louisville) – In a region loaded with potential player of the year candidates (Marcus Morris, Ben Hansbrough, Jajuan Johnson), Knowles could lead the Cardinals with a surge to open the tourney.  Knowles can beat the opposition from the outside-in, and is able to use his underrated athleticism to get to the foul line during tough, physical possessions.  His defense is absolutely suffocating, and he and point guard Peyton Siva have a penchant for creating turnovers that lead to easy opportunities.  Should Rick Pitino guide his team to the Sweet Sixteen, Knowles will be a huge factor in a pending showdown with Kansas.  

Potential Upset Brewing?:

Where else would we go to find a potential upset but the traditional 5-12 battle?  In this region, #5-seed Vanderbilt is taking on #12-seed Richmond.  The Commodores have two good scorers in John Jenkins and Jeffrey Taylor, so they can stay close with just about any opponent.  But the Spiders play good defense (opponents’ field goal percentage of 40.1%), limit their turnovers (10.1 per game) and shoot well from the perimeter (40%), giving them a high probability of taking down Vandy in the opening round.

Surprising Team That Could Make A Deep Run:

Georgetown hopes to get a lift from the return of point guard Chris Wright.

Georgetown.   They are the epitome of a “make-or-break your bracket” team.  Julian Vaughn, Jason Clark and Austin Freeman are battle-tested veterans who won’t shy away from the pressure that each single game will carry.  Chris Wright, whose absence due to injury has led to a four-game losing slide by the Hoyas, will return for the opening round against the winner of the VCU-USC play-in game.  Given the on-court familiarity that these four have with one another, Georgetown certainly has the capability of shocking a team or two.

For a chance to win a $100 gift card, join Ball or Nuthin’s Bracket Challenge.

T Lamont is the owner, administrator and author of all content for Ball or Nuthin\'. Feel free to contact T Lamont with a question or comment at ballornuthin@gmail.com.  All created Ball or Nuthin' content is the sole property of T Lamont. Read more from this author