This is about as top heavy a bracket as it gets. If a mouse farted on it, it will tip over. There are only two teams to be taken seriously as a Final Four candidate.

 

The only real test that Indiana would face before Miami is a potential match up with Syracuse in the Sweet 16. Which will not end well for the Orange. Indiana is too smart and too well rounded to have extra days off to figure out that gimmick zone.

 

Miami's tests? Marquette or Butler? Marquette could bottle them up a bit with their athleticism but ultimately does not have the size or offensive capabilities to knock off The U. Butler has the coaching that could give them an advantage but they do not have the same team that they have had in the past. They are not that good this year. They went 2-3 to close out their regular season, that included losses at home to Charlotte and St Louis, and a 32 point drubbing @ VCU.

 

Butler certainly is not a contender this year, and neither is Marquette. Miami should have next to no problem dealing with either one of them.

 

That leads to what should be a very common Elite Eight match up in your office pool.

 

Indiana relies heavily on Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo to carry the offensive load. They also have plenty of shooters and role players that attribute to them scoring over 80 points a game.

 

But Miami has the personnel to shut them down. 6'11 Julian Gamble anchors the middle and will be able to offset Cody Zeller. They also have the two top vote getters for conference defensive player of the year in Durand Scott and Shane Larkin. Scott should be able to body up Oladipo while Larkin pressures the ball. Indiana is going to struggle to score in this match up while Miami is going to get out and run then get back and slap the floor on defense. Indiana is one of the four best teams this season without a doubt. But the NCAA tourney comes down to match ups and Miami has their number.

 

mlz

Wednesday, March 20, 2013