Different Down South

#DunkCity

By Ryan Frisco

Photo Cred www.washingtonpost.com

Things down South look pretty usual in the Sweet Sixteen.  You've got #1 Kansas playing against #4 Michigan in the top round.  The bottom game is between #3 Florida and #2...wait, not Georgetown?  What?! Did you just say what I think you said?!  Yeah, it's #15 Florida Gulf Coast!  Wow, where did that come from?  Has that been done before? Nope. Huh. Looks like things this year are a little different down South.

Let's take a look at the first game.

#1 Kansas Jayhawks vs. #4 Michigan Wolverines

Kansas has taken the easy road to the Sweet Sixteen.  Round two was practically a shoe in.  The Jayhawks rolled over #16 Western Kentucky, continuing the top seed's unblemished record in round 2. Round three was more of the same, as they took down the UNC Tarheels by a comfortable 12 points.

Photo Cred www.cbssports.com

Michigan has had more proven competition along the way, but handled it much better than Kansas did. In round two they took on San Diego State, winning by 15.  Round three was against a much tougher opponent, VCU.  VCU was a surprise tournament team last year, and I had them going to the Final Four this year.  Michigan thwarted my bracket, throttling VCU by 25 points.  The Wolverines are legit.

So what's in store?  I'm going with Michigan.  Kansas is not the strongest #1 team, and Michigan is playing so well right now.  They're unstoppable.  The Wolverines have gotten red hot just at the right time.  I'm pretty sure the only thing that could stop them right now is the boys down at Florida Gulf Coast!

Prediction: Michigan takes down the Jayhawks with a final minute lead change, 74-71.

#3 Florida Gators vs. #15 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles

Like I said above, this is the first time in history that a #15 seed has made it to the Sweet Sixteen.  There are teams out there that have hurt a ton of bracket hopefuls, but none more than the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles.  They beat Georgetown, a team many had going to the Final Four, and most to the Elite Eight.  The only person in their right mind who would put FGC in the Sweet Sixteen is an optimistic father of a player who is blinded by love.  Or, they just know what these guys are made of. 

Photo Cred www.nytimes.com

Two big upsets, each by 10 points.  This is not your ordinary #15 seed.  The Eagles came to play!

Florida has a much different story.  They took the quiet road. They beat NW State in round two by 32 POINTS!  But no one talked about it.  They beat Minnesota by 14 in round 3.  No big deal.  Florida was expected to be where they are now, and no one's surprised.  They're good, but I think they're in a bad spot right now.  Being a #3 seed, lower ranked teams drool at the chance to knock off one of the big boys.  FGC is playing like a #1 seed at the moment.  I do believe the Gators may be catching this team at the wrong time.  I honestly don't think anything can stand in the Eagles' way right now.  That is a double meaning; no team can stand in the way of them winning, and no player can stand in the way of them dunking!  Have you seen this team the first two games?!  They dunk everything!!

Prediction: I'm going with the huge underdog, just for fun.  The Eagles drown yet another opponent in the gulf, taking down the Gators in a closer match, 77-73.

I'm calling two upsets down South, here we go!