Cal, Bucknell, South Dakota State, Gophers Could Be Double-Digit Winners

The NCAA men's basketball tournament starts 2nd round games Thursday across the country.  This is the real beginning of the tournament.  I, like many don't count the play-ins games.  When you are filling out your bracket consider that a double-digit seed almost always makes the sweet sixteen, a 12 seed always beats at least 1 5 seed, a 6 always loses to a 11 and 7 vs 10 and 8 vs 9 seeds are even matchups.  All four #1 seeds making it to the Final Four has happened just once and take some chances.

I like 12th seeded California to upset #5 UNLV.  They played earlier this season and UNLV won by just 1 point.  UNLV traditional fares poorly in the NCAA tournament.  Bucknell has some serious shooters and is experienced with some size as a #11 seed.  Butler can't always win, right.

South Dakota State is led by St. Cloud Tech's Nate Wolters.  Wolters is a senior and this is his last chance to win a NCAA tournament game.  The Jackrabbits are experienced and Michigan can be beat by anyone, just ask Penn State.

As poorly coached as the Gophers are they are the better team against UCLA despite being a #11 seed.  UCLA will play without their 2nd leading scorer and they don't rebound well.  Rebounding is the one thing the Gophers do well.  Minnesota is senior dominated with Mbakwe and Rodney Williams.  The Gophers will be motivated to win Friday night.

Hear all the NCAA Tournament games on AM 1390-the Fan.