2009 NCAA Tournament: First Round Predictions for East, South Regions

2009 NCAA Tournament Predictions. One day left until the NCAA tourney kicks off with the NIT in progress. Yesterday, I previewed the West and Midwest Region NCAA tournament first round games. This article covers the remaining first round games in the East and South Regions of the tournament. My predictions for upsets in this round are that Western Kentucky, Butler, and Michigan will pull off upsets in their first round games. Predictions are based on the performance of the team in their last 5 games and any common opponents the two teams may share. Only one day left to enter your picks at the CollegeHoopsVideo.com NCAA Bracket Challenge and CBS Sports NCAA Bracket contests!

2009 NCAA Tournament Predictions - East and South Regions - First Round

2009 NCAA Tournament Predictions - East Region - First Round

1 - Pittsburgh Panthers (28-4) - Big East
16 - East Tennessee State University ( 23-10)

Prediction: Pitt, 85-58

Notes: Pitt tunes up for later round games.

8 - Oklahoma State (22-11) - Big 12
9 - Tennessee Volunteers (21-12) - SEC
Prediction: Oklahoma State - 74-71

Notes: A tight game that can really go either way. Will likely come down to which team hits their 3's and Free Throws.

5 - Florida Sate (25-9) - ACC
12 - WIsconsin (19-12) Big 10
Prediction: Florida State 74- 65

Notes: Florida State continues their roll from the ACC tourney.

4 - Xavier (25-7) Atlantic 10
13 - Portland State (23-9) Big Sky
Prediction: Xavier - 85-67

Notes: Xavier tunes up for the next round

6 - UCLA Bruins (25-8) - PAC 10
11 - VCU Rams (24-9) CAA

Prediction: UCLA 90-72

Notes: VCU makes it close early, but ultimately wears down against the Bruins.

3 - Villanova Wildcats (26-7) - Big East
14 - American University (24-7) Patriot

Prediction: Villanova 87- 72

Notes: Another big mis-match. The Wildcats just have too much talent for American to stay in the game.

7 - Texas Longhorns (22-11) - Big 12
10 - Minnesota Golden Gophers (22-10) - Big 10
Prediction: Texas 78-70

Notes: The Longhorns balanced attack is too much for Coach Smith and the Gophers

2 - Duke Blue Devils (28-6) - ACC
15 - Binghamton Bearcats (23-8)
Prediction: Duke - 94-64

Notes: Duke continues their ACC Tourney roll

2009 NCAA Tournament Predictions - South Region - First Round

1 - North Carolina Tarheels (28-4) - ACC (20 Straight Appearances)
16 - Radford (21-11) Big South

Prediction: North Carolina: 93-72

Notes: UNC sits Tyler Lawson again to get him fully healed.

8 - LSU Tigers (26-7) - SEC
9 - Butler Bulldogs (26-5) - Horizon

Prediction: Butler 72-64

Notes: LSU runs out of steam and Butler pulls off the slight upset

5 - Illinois Fightin Illini (24-9) Big 10
12 - Western Kentucky (24-8) - Big Sky

Prediction: WKU 74-71

Notes: Illinois not being a full speed results in a Hilltopper victory

6 - Arizona St (24-9) - PAC 10
11 - Temple Owls (22-11)
Prediction: ASU 67-62

Notes: ASU holds off the Temple Owls

3 - Syracuse (26-9) - Big East
14 - Stephen F. Austin (24-7 ) Southland
Prediction: Syracuse 84-72

Notes: The Orangemen continue their post-season hot streak.

4 - Gonzaga (26-5) - West Coast Conferences
13 - Akron Zip (23-12) Mid-American
Prediction: Gonzaga 88-68

Notes: A tune up game for Gonzaga

7 - Clemson (23-8) - ACC

10 - Michigan (20-13) - Big 10

Prediction: Michigan 83-80

Notes: Michigan is hot, pulls the upset off of Clemson.

2 - Oklahoma Sooners (27-5) - Big 12

15 - Morgan St (23-11) - MEAC
Prediction: OK 86-67

Notes: Tune up game for Oklahoma

Refs:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/teams

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1571681/2009_ncaa_tournament_first_round_predictions.html?cat=14

http://www.collegehoopsvideo.com

http://www.collegehoopsvideo.com/2009-ncaa-bracket-challenge/

http://www.cbssports.com/

http://www.collegehoopsvideo.com/duke-blue-devils/

http://www.collegehoopsvideo.com/north-carolina-tar-heels-2/

http://www.collegehoopsvideo.com/oklahoma-sooners/

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1567231/finding_2009_ncaa_printable_brackets.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1568417/2009_ncaa_final_four_predictions.html