Michigan State Basketball wins 2020 NCAA Championship in ESPN simulation

Michigan State was named the winner in their second simulated NCAA Men’s Tournament, this time by Joe Lunardi of ESPN.

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Well, this might be awesome for some fans, and it will sting for others, but Michigan State has won a second simulated 2020 NCAA Championship, this time from ESPN and bracketologist Joe Lunardi. MSU was also crowned the 2020 NCAA Tournament Champion by FiveThirtyEight’s simulation earlier on Monday.

Lunardi’s simulation had Michigan State beating Florida State 68-63 in the Tournament Final after Cassius Winston iced the game with two free throws.

Michigan State advanced to the Final Four in Lunardi’s simulation on Saturday after beating Gonzaga 87-84.

Before Gonzaga, Michigan State beat Bradley in the first round, Virginia, Illinois, and then Louisville in the ESPN simulation.

While some fans at least enjoy seeing these simulations give the Spartans a favorable result, for most, this is a painful reminder that the NCAA Tournament was taken away from a Michigan State Men’s Basketball team that looked to be hitting its stride right as it entered tournament play.

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2020 NCAA Tournament Sim: East Region, Elite 8

2020 NCAA Tournament Sim: East Region, Elite 8 There is plenty on the line for the remaining for four teams in the East Region, mostly a trip to Atlanta. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire The East region is complete and we have our regional …

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2020 NCAA Tournament Sim: East Region, Elite 8


There is plenty on the line for the remaining for four teams in the East Region, mostly a trip to Atlanta. 


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

The East region is complete and we have our regional champion. 

The Sweet Sixteen is in the books of our NCAA Tournament simulation and in the East Region we were provided with a fan favorite this season in the Dayton Flyers the number one seed in the region, going up against a blue chip juggernaut in the Duke Blue Devils. Both vying for a trip down south to Atlanta, Georgia and a Final Four appearance.

As a reminder, we are simulating these games over at What If Sports and are doing just like the NCAA Tournament, one loss and you’re out.

East Region 

Final Score: No. 1 Dayton 93, No. 3 Duke 88 

New York, NY–This one was a ratings booster as fans all around the country tuned in to watch an overtime thriller featuring the Flyers and Blue Devils in Madison Square Garden.

The game was hard-fought by both sides, as Duke took the lead going into half-time 43-36. But a half-time speech by Dayton head coach Anthony Grant fired the Flyers up as they retook the lead in the second half, outscoring Duke 43-36 to ultimately send this one into overtime.

A match up everyone was on the lookout for was in the post, as two potential future lottery picks in sophomore Obi Toppin and freshman Vernon Carey Jr. battled it out. On paper this battle was won by Carey Jr. junior who used a slight size advantage effectively all night, ending the game with 23 points, 13 rebounds and one block. But games are won by teams not individual players and Dayton outplayed Duke in overtime, outscoring them 14-9 to seal the victory.

It was a team effort by the Flyers who had four starters score 18-points or more on the night. Including two double-doubles, one by junior guard Jalen Crutcher who finished with 18-points and 11 assists. And the other by senior guard Trey Landers who finished the night with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Ultimately taking advantage of continuous Toppin double-teams to scoop up offensive boards and make second-chance baskets.

The Flyers advance to their first Final Four appearance since 1967 when Dayton beat North Carolina 76-62 to advance to the national champion. They would lose 64-79 to a legendary UCLA Bruins team that featured one of the best coaches to ever coach the game in John Wooden and one of the best to ever play the game Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

 

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2020 NCAA Tournament Sim: East Region, Sweet Sixteen

2020 NCAA Tournament Sim: East Region, Sweet Sixteen There is plenty on the line for the remaining for four teams in the East Region, mostly an Elite Eight appearance. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire The Elite Eight waits for two teams as …

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2020 NCAA Tournament Sim: East Region, Sweet Sixteen


There is plenty on the line for the remaining for four teams in the East Region, mostly an Elite Eight appearance. 


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

The Elite Eight waits for two teams as four battle it out in New York City.

The second round is in the books of our NCAA Tournament simulation and in the East Region, we have our four teams playing in New York City in the Sweet Sixteen.

As a reminder, we are simulating these games over at What If Sports and are doing just like the NCAA Tournament, one loss and you’re out.

East Region 

Final Score: No. 1 Dayton 102, No. 5 Auburn 77 

New York, NY–Obi Toppin was named an AP first team All-American this past week, and rightfully so. The high flying sophomore has helped lead the Dayton Flyers to one of their greatest seasons in program history, but he’s not alone. And as most would tell you, success in the big dance doesn’t come from just one guy scoring the basketball.

Toppin had an amazing performance last round against Colorado as he finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds. But that has been his only standout game as the Flyers took on the Auburn Tigers, it was the team’s second leading scorer guard Jalen Crutcher who sent Bruce Pearl and company home early with 32 points on 11-16 shooting from the field.

The Tigers looked to double-team the sophomore sensation all night and though a fifteen-point performance is nothing to ignore, it was an effective strategy. The one thing Auburn forgot was that basketball is a team sport and you don’t receive a No. 1 seed or top-five ranking nationally for having just one good player.

Big performances for Crutcher and fellow junior guard and former Michigan Wolverine Ibi Watson (18 points and 5 rebounds) was the dagger in Auburn’s tournament run. And as the Flyers advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since the 2013-2014 season where they fell 52-62 to the Florida Gators who went all the way to the Final Four that year. It will truly take a team effort to get past a hot handed Duke Blue Devil’s team who looks as in sync as they have all season. It shouldn’t be too tough if they can knock down fifteen three pointers again and shoot 61% from the field, just saying.

Final Score: No. 3 Duke 99, No. 10 Arizona State 89

New York, NY–If there is one lesson teams have learned on a consistent basis playing basketball in March, it is that everything comes to an end. It’s a little tougher when you gain some momentum and knock off two teams in less than five days. It’s apart of March Madness and though the Sun Devil’s looked like this region’s Cinderella the Blue Devil’s (no relation) come out on top in this one with a ten-point win and some confidence heading into the Elite Eight.

Duke is playing their best basketball of the season and received double-digit scoring from six different players but were led by a double-double from freshman post Vernon Carey with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Carey dominated on both ends in the paint also chipping in 3 blocks and a steal.

Arizona State once again played through leader Remy Martin who led the way with 23 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. And even though they kept it close with only a two-point deficit going into halftime, their efforts in the second half weren’t enough. As an offensive run to start the second half by the Blue Devils gave them just enough cushion to hold off later Arizona State advances to seal the win.

Duke advances on, and unlike their next opponents the Dayton Flyers this isn’t exactly new to them. It’s not new to Dayton either as they have enjoyed several deep tournament runs in their history, two Elite Eight appearances in the last forty years and even more success prior. But to have come this far as a mid-major team there is still plenty to celebrate, but will the Blue Devil’s let them?

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2020 NCAA Tournament Sim: East Region, Round 2

2020 NCAA Tournament Sim: East Region, Round 2 A trip to the Sweet Sixteen is on the line in the round of 32. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Four Move On The first round is in the books of our NCAA Tournament simulation and though there …

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2020 NCAA Tournament Sim: East Region, Round 2


A trip to the Sweet Sixteen is on the line in the round of 32.


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Four Move On 

The first round is in the books of our NCAA Tournament simulation and though there were a few upsets, the big names are still here and provide an eventful day of games in the round thirty-two for us to enjoy.

As a reminder, we are simulating these games over at What If Sports and are doing just like the NCAA Tournament, one loss and you’re out.

East Region 

Final Score: No.1 Dayton 96, No. 8 Colorado 89

Cleveland, OH–The arena was full in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon as Dayton Flyers fans packed in tight. It took more than regulation in this one for the Flyers to advance on, it also took a double-double from star big man Obi Toppin with 26 points and 12 rounds.

Colorado attempted the upset but might have ultimately been doomed from beyond the arc, finishing just 6-23 on the night from deep. Mckinley Wright IV led his team for the second straight game with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

The No. 1 seed Flyers advance on with a tough test ahead in the Auburn Tigers and maybe one of their bigger obstacles of the season in a team with athleticism and size like nothing you can compare to in the Atlantic-10.

Final Score: No. 5 Auburn 85, No.4 Wisconsin 65

Sacramento, CA–The goal hasn’t changed for the Tigers and unfortunately for the Wisconsin Badgers they were just another roadblock for Auburn en route to the Sweet Sixteen.

Bruce Pearl’s squad looked focused and shut down the Badger’s second-half offensive efforts, outscoring Wisconsin 41-25 after half time. Kobe King was the only Badger to reach double-digit scoring, ending the night with just 13 points.

While the Tigers were led by freshman Isaac Okoro with 19 points, 5 rebounds and clutch performance from the field, going 8-11 on the night. They advance on to face the No. 1 seed in the region in Dayton and have to keep focus to continue on to the Elite Eight and beyond.

Final Score: No. 3 Duke 77, No. 6 Iowa 66

Greensboro, NC–It was a duel effort by Tre Jones and Cassius Stanley who led Duke with 14 points a piece. But they weren’t alone as three other Blue Devil’s finished the night with double-digits in their eleven point win over the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa big man Luka Garza gave it his all as he led the way with 15 points and 13 rebounds. But it wasn’t enough as the Hawkeyes couldn’t hold off a late second half surge by the Blue Devils to seal the win and send Fran McCaffery’s group home early. They continue on to face this corner of the bracket’s Cinderella, a No. 10 seed who might not fit the mold but don’t let them fool you as they already have two upsets in the bag with room for much more.

Final Score: No. 10 Arizona State 88, No. 2 Villanova 86 

Albany, NY–The Sun Devils are on a roll! As they pack their bags and head to New York City with a two-point victory over two-time tournament Champion Villanova and head coach Jay Wright.

Arizona State couldn’t miss as they went a combined 50.8% from the field and ended the night with six different Sun Devil’s in double figures. It was floor general Remy Martin who led the way with 17 points, 8 assists and three steals. Villanova did all they could and were led by Saddiq Bey with 24 points but this is the Sun Devil’s weekend as they aren’t leaving the east coast just yet.

 

NCAA Tournament Simulation: First Round, West Region

The Mountain West Wire 2020 NCAA Tournament Simulation rolls on, as we look at the results of the first round of the West Region.

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NCAA Tournament Simulation: First Round, West Region


A shocking upset ends a dream season abruptly


Contact/Follow @andrewdieckhoff & @MWCwire

Our NCAA sim heads out West as the first round rolls on.

The results are already in from the Midwest and East regions, and now our third slate of games comes from the West Region. Gonzaga, San Diego State, and Oregon are all playing in the Pacific time zone, while Seton Hall is staying close to home to start things off.

As a reminder, we here at Mountain West Wire are using the final bracket generated by the Bracket Matrix and simulating games via WhatIfSports. A hearty thanks to both for helping us get some catharsis in these trying times. As a further reminder, each game is only simulated once — whatever happens, happens. That’s the beauty of the Big Dance.

Without further ado, let’s jump into the results.

(#4) Oregon 69, (#13) Akron 67

Full Box Score and Play-by-Play

SPOKANE, Wash. — The first game of this Spokane pod is an absolute classic. The Ducks survive a scare from the Zips, thanks to a Payton Pritchard buzzer-beater. Akron’s Loren Jackson led all scorers with 26 points. The 13-seed jumped out to an early lead, but the Ducks stormed back in the second half. An 8-0 run from Akron tied the game with 3:25 to play, and the teams mostly traded baskets down the stretch. Thankfully for the Ducks, their All-American had the final shot — and he did not miss.

(#6) Penn State 77, (#11) Wichita State 63

Full Box Score and Play-By-Play

ALBANY, N.Y. — The most successful season of the Pat Chambers era continues as the Nittany Lions never really had to sweat in this one. Wichita State kept it respectable, but a 20-point performance from Lamar Stevens kept the Shockers at arm’s length all game. In the aftermath of the loss, six Wichita State players announce they are transferring out of the program, unexpectedly throwing head coach Gregg Marshall into the hot seat. Penn State moves on to face the winner of the Seton Hall-Hofstra game.

(#8) LSU 87, (#9) Rutgers 78

Full Box Score and Play-by-Play

SPOKANE, Wash. — The second Spokane pod gets started with this 8-9 matchup of two teams who were both in the Top 25 during the season. Though the Scarlet Knights can officially celebrate their first NCAA Tournament berth in 30 years, the party is short-lived as Will Wade’s club wages a balanced attack. All five starters end up in double figures for LSU, but off-the-court distractions start to pop up as buzz builds for a new documentary detailing the FBI investigation into college basketball, which brings Wade’s past improprieties back into the national zeitgeist.

(#3) Seton Hall 86, (#14) Hofstra 66

Full Box Score and Play-by-Play

ALBANY, N.Y. — The Pirates easily dispatch their seaboard compatriots, but curiously, Naismith candidate Myles Powell is relatively quiet in this one. The star guard scores just 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting and attempts just two three-pointers all game. Instead, Seton Hall relies on strong performances from Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jared Rhoden. The CAA champs trailed by 18 at the half and never really threatened an upset. A bit of a dull game as we head into the midday doldrums.

USA TODAY played out a mock NCAA Tournament and did not like Ohio State at all

USA TODAY played out a hypothetical NCAA Tournament and won’t make any friends anywhere in Buckeye Nation. Ohio State had an early exit.

Ever since the NCAA decided to cancel this year’s NCAA basketball tournament because of coronavirus concerns, we’ve seen projections and simulations on what would have transpired if we all got our dose of March Madness like every other year.

And while some of those what-if scenarios have been relatively kind to Ohio State like the sportsline simulation, others have not.

Case in point — USA TODAY decided to hypothetically play out this year’s tournament and had one shocking twist for the basketball Buckeyes. Yes, it’s true that almost every year a No. 12 seed disposes of a No. 5. And, if you caught the tournament projections at the end of the season, that’s exactly where most had Ohio State firmly planted.

You see where we’re going?

So, to stay in lockstep with what normally happens, our friends at USA TODAY felt obligated to pick at least one upset from the No. 5 vs. No. 12 matchup, and guess what team was on the chopping block?

Yep, your Ohio State Buckeyes.

USA TODAY’s Scott Gleeson had Ohio State as the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region, matching up with No. 12 Northern Iowa. And wouldn’t you know it, that’s as far as the Buckeyes’ made it, falling prey to the upset bugaboo as one of the major upsets of the tournament.

That’s a far stretch, but one we’ve seen before so I guess we can’t get too upset. Still, I would have definitely liked the chances of some scarlet and gray making it to the second round if not further this year.

So who did USA TODAY put through to the Final Four and beyond? It had Dayton playing Oregon, and Kansas matching up with Florida State in the semifinal, with the Jayhawks getting the best of the Flyers to cut down the hypothetical nets.

Good thing this was just make-believe, eh Buckeye fans?

Why the Maryland Terrapins will win the 2020 NCAA Tournament

Why the Maryland Terrapins will win the 2020 NCAA Tournament.

Out of the hard-fought Big Ten battles from this winter emerges a beast from the East and a blast from the past. A perfect team – they are not. However, coming out of one of the best and most hotly contested leagues this season, the Maryland Terrapins (24-7) are worthy of a look to win the second NCAA Tournament championship in program history. The Terps’ 2002 title was the mantelpiece of a run that saw Maryland get to the Sweet 16 seven times in 10 years (1994-2003).

Here are three good reasons why the 11th-ranked (USA Today Sports Coaches Poll) Maryland Terrapins will win the 2020 NCAA Tournament.


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Battle-tested

Maryland went 14-6 over 20 regular-season Big Ten games. No less than five conference foes (Illinois, Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin) in the Coaches Poll were in the Terps’ way. Throw in Michigan, Penn State, Purdue and Rutgers as other worthy top 25s – all are well-placed on popular computer rankings heading into conference tournament play. Big road wins late in the season – at Minnesota, Michigan State and Illinois – are the kind that can roll a team into late March with a ton of confidence.

Youth led by a veteran guard

Senior G Anthony Cowan is a solid two-way player who can distribute and get to the foul line and score on offense, play exceptional defense, and give the Terrapins 35 minutes per game. The veteran guard leads a squad comprised of super sophs – Jalen Smith (15.5 points per game, 10.5 rebounds per game), Aaron Wiggins (10.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG), Eric Ayala (8.5 PPG), impact freshman – Donta Scott and a linchpin junior – Darryl Morsell – who complements Maryland’s efforts at both ends of the floor. The Terrapins are a young team that plays with high energy but at a tempo under their control.

Well-built for bracket play

The Terrapins’ game includes components well built a long bracket run. Maryland takes a lot of undefended 15-footers each game – the Terps rank second in the Big Ten, with 21.6 free-throw attempts per contest. Maryland hoists a lot of shots from beyond the three-point arc – they are better away from home in their success rate on those shots and have performed well in recent contests against top-20 foes. The Terps are also one of the top teams in the nation when it comes to finishing at the rim. They take care of the basketball, allowing fewer breakdown buckets off turnovers than most teams that will be in the tournament. It all makes for efficiency and variety on offense. On defense, Maryland has held opponents to a 38-percent mark from the floor. The Terrapins are exceptional at keeping foes from scoring near the rim. The 6-foot-10 Jalen Smith is a big factor in the paint. His 2.4 blocks per game will be among the highest averages for any player in the tournament, and it’s clear that he affects twice as many shots as he swats.

Maryland has made just one Sweet 16 in the last 15 years (2016), but the 2019-20 Terrapins are built to win different types of games and perhaps go all the way.

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Georgia basketball loses 4th straight SEC matchup at Missouri

Georgia men’s basketball team loses their 4th straight SEC matchup in Columbia, MO to Missouri. The Dawgs are now 11-9, 1-6 in SEC play.

The Georgia Bulldogs men’s basketball team dropped a close one Tuesday night in Columbia to the Missouri Tigers by a score of 72-69.

The Dawgs have now lost four straight games, all of them being to SEC opponents.

Georgia led by as many as 20 points in the second half, thanks to freshman guard Anthony Edwards scoring 23 points, leading all players on the night.  Senior guard Tyree Crump put up 13 for the Dawgs as well as freshman forward Toumani Camara tacking on another 12.

The Bulldogs came out hot offensively but skidded to a halt later in the second half, sparking an offensive run from the Tigers.  Missouri’s senior forward Reed Nikko capitalized on the Dawgs cold second half shooting, finishing with a career 13 points, 11 of them coming in the second half surge.

“Momentum is always up for grabs,” Tom Crean said in a postgame interview. “And in the second half, Reed Nikko took momentum from us. Reed Nikko changed the energy of the game for them.”

Nikko also had a game saving play, blocking Edwards while up two with only nine seconds left in regulation.

Three Missouri players scored in double digits with junior guard Dru Smith leading the Tigers with 16.

Missouri freshman forward Kobe Brown was emotional for this game.  Brown was named by his father after the late Kobe Bryant and wears number 24 after Bryant.  Following the tragic news of the NBA legend and his daughters passing, Brown talked about Kobe Bryant postgame.

“I was bummed,” said Brown. “It took a toll. I send my regards to all the families that were involved in the crash.”

What looked like a promising, potential NCAA Tournament season is now on the line with very slim chances of the Dawgs being alive in March.  According to TR Brackets, Georgia now has a 2.2% chance of making the tournament.  Losing the past 4 SEC games moves the Bulldogs to 11-9 on the season with a 1-6 record in conference play.

With a 2.2% chance being very unlikely, things aren’t looking good for the Dawg faithful … but you’re saying there’s a chance.

Georgia continues their late season SEC play this Saturday vs Texas A&M at home.  Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m. EST on SEC Network.