Fantasy Booking: How does the 2020 NCAA Tournament play out IF it was actually being played.
Not sure if you’ve heard about this, but there’s not gonna be an NCAA Tournament this year. Yeah, I know it’s terrible and my March is basically useless at this point, but I still want to in a way, “Fantasy Book” how I think the NCAA Tournament would’ve gone. Frankly, I think this would’ve been one of the more exciting NCAA tournaments we’d see in years and the madness of March would’ve been epic.
Welp, now we are left to ponder what could’ve been. Well, at least I’ll help tell you what happens. You have to start off with your four number one seed and based on my season-long projections here they are…
Kansas (No. 1 overall seed)-South Region
Gonzaga-West Region
Florida State-East Region
Dayton-Midwest Region
Why is Kansas the No. 1 seed in the South Region? Well, despite being closer by around 300 miles to Indianapolis than they are Houston, the chances of a loaded region have KU coach Bill Self thinking he should take his chances down south. Does he still avoid the likes of Kentucky, Michigan State and Louisville?
The first round of the NCAA Tournament looks like this...
South Region First Round
1. Kansas over 16. Siena
9. Utah State over 8. LSU
13. Belmont over 4. Louisville (Upset!!)
12. Stephen F. Austin over 5. Wisconsin (Upset!!)
3. Maryland over 14. Akron
6. Auburn over 11. Wichita State
7. West Virginia over 10. Xavier
2. Villanova over North Dakota State
Analysis
If you were to fill out a bracket on Selection Sunday, the No. 13 over No. 4 and No. 12 over No. 5 upsets would be filled ASAP. This sets up a really fun Round of 32 showdown between Belmont and Stephen F. Austin.
West Region First Round
1. Gonzaga over 16. Winthrop
8. Illinois over 9. USC
4. Oregon over 13. Vermont
12. Yale over 5. Penn State (Upset!!)
3. Duke over 14. Hofstra
6. Colorado over Cincinnati
7. Houston over 10. Rutgers
2. San Diego State over 15. UC-Irvine
Analysis
This region is pretty elementary aside from Yale upsetting Penn State. The beauty about this region is that things set up for a potential west-coast heavy second weekend with Gonzaga, San Diego State and potentially Oregon.
East Region First Round
1. Florida State over 16. Eastern Washington
8. Marquette over 9. Florida
4. Ohio State over 13. North Texas
12. East Tennessee State over 5. Butler (Upset!!)
3. Seton Hall over 14. Bradley
6. Iowa over 11. Richmond
7. Michigan over 10. UCLA
2. Baylor over 15. Wright State
Analysis
If you were to look at this region on Selection Sunday, you’ve gotta like a very quick and athletic East Tennessee State team over Butler in the first round. I’d even give them a chance to reach the second weekend, if all goes according to plan.
Midwest Region First Round
1. Dayton over 16. NC Central
8. St. Mary’s over 9. Providence
4. Michigan State over 13. New Mexico State
5. BYU over 12. Liberty
3. Kentucky over 14. Colgate
6. Virginia over 11. Texas Tech
10. Oklahoma over 7. Arizona
2. Creighton over 15. Arkansas-Little Rock
Analysis
This region is rather pedestrian aside from Oklahoma’s mild upset over Arizona. The real fireworks begin in the second round with Michigan State vs. BYU and Kentucky vs. Virginia.
South Region Second Round
Kansas over 9. Utah State
13. Belmont over 12. Stephen F. Austin
3. Maryland over 6. Auburn
7. West Virginia over 2. Villanova (Upset!!)
Analysis
For the first time in school history, the Belmont Bruins reach the Sweet 16 and with the upset loss by No. 2 seed Villanova, Bill Self’s decision to go south looks even better.
West Region Second Round
Gonzaga over 8. Illinois
4. Oregon over 12. Yale
6. Colorado over 3. Duke (Upset!!)
2. San Diego State over 7. Houston
Analysis
Duke’s inconsistency throughout the season finally costs them when it matters the most with Colorado pulling away late for an eight-point victory. When the dust settles and the second weekend begins, basketball west of the Mississippi River puts a strong feather in their cap.
East Region Second Round
Florida State over 8. Marquette
12. East Tennessee State over 5. Ohio State (Upset!!)
3. Seton Hall over 6. Iowa
2. Baylor over 7. Michigan
Analysis
In typical NCAA Tournament fashion, the upsets and teams that make runs turn players and coaches into stars. After East Tennessee State upsets Ohio State to reach the Sweet 16, ETSU head coach Steve Forbes becomes an instant rock star.
Midwest Region Second Round
Dayton over 8. St. Mary’s
4. Michigan State over 5. BYU
3. Kentucky over 6. Virginia
2. Creighton over 10. Oklahoma
Analysis
Yes, there is chalk in this region but this is all about “survive and advance”, each game is decided by less than seven points. The most dramatic brush with season-ending sadness comes in the form of Michigan State going to OT with BYU.
South Region Sweet 16
1. Kansas over 13. Belmont
3. Maryland over 7. West Virginia
Analysis
The two best teams remaining in the region advance, boring I know.
West Region Sweet 16
1. Gonzaga over 4. Oregon
2. San Diego State over 6. Colorado
Analysis
Like a long-awaited title fight, a Saturday night in Staples Center will produce two of the best “mid-major” teams in the country. Gonzaga or San Diego State will be 40 minutes away from the Final Four.
East Region Sweet 16
1. Florida State over 12. East Tennessee State
3. Seton Hall over 2. Baylor
Analysis
Seton Hall’s “home game” at Madison Square Garden caused hell for the Baylor Bears and they will meet Florida State in the east regional final.
Midwest Regional Sweet 16
4. Michigan State over 1. Dayton
3. Kentucky over 2. Creighton
Analysis
Remember when I said Bill Self would go south to avoid the Midwest? This is exactly why. Both Michigan State and Kentucky’s fans dominate the atmosphere and set up a blue blood regional final in Indianapolis.
Regional Finals
South Region: 1. Kansas over 3. Maryland
West Region: 1. Gonzaga over 2. San Diego State
East Region: 3. Seton Hall over 1. Florida State
Midwest Region: 4. Michigan State over 3. Kentucky
Analysis
We’re down to four, even with all the upsets and runs that Cinderella teams make at the end of the day you see the best and most consistent teams all season left standing.
2020 Final Four
Kansas over. 3. Seton Hall
1. Gonzaga over 4. Michigan State
Analysis
Both Gonzaga and Kansas were 1a. and 1b. All season, it is fitting they meet on the game’s biggest stage…if we had one.
2020 National Championship Game
1. Kansas over 1. Gonzaga
Analysis
Gonzaga’s Mark Few comes close again, but the more complete Kansas Jayhawk squad pulls away in the second half and Bill Self cuts the nets down for his second national title at Kansas. KU 82, Gonzaga 71. Now go ahead and cue up “one shining moment”.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 7:00 AM.
