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Predicting 2017 NCAA Tournament based on 2016 football teams

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Bart Houston (13) prepare to face the Western Michigan Broncos in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Bart Houston (13) prepare to face the Western Michigan Broncos in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

East Region through Elite Eight

Second Round

(1) Villanova vs. (8) Wisconsin

Again, another instance of one school having an FBS team and another not. Plus, Wisconsin isn’t too shabby. Upset special. Pick: Wisconsin

(5) Virginia vs. (4) Florida

Virginia has been a poor football program for years now and Jim McElwain has the Gators near the top of the SEC standings each season. This would be ugly for the Cavaliers. Pick: Florida

(11) USC vs. (3) Baylor

Cinderella will keep that slipper for at least another round as the 11th-seeded Trojans will continue their hot streak against a struggling Baylor program looking for some direction. Pick: USC

(7) South Carolina vs. (2) Duke

The SEC is annually considered the best conference in the country, but in 2016 the ACC changed that thinking a bit. Duke will prove just why the ACC is underrated. Pick: Duke

Sweet 16

(8) Wisconsin vs. (4) Florida

While Florida may be the better team on paper, there have to be upsets every now and then. This may not be considered a huge upset, but the Badgers were constantly overlooked in 2016 and the defense is no joke. Florida’s offense just can’t overcome that. Pick: Wisconsin

(11) USC vs. (2) Duke

Sam Darnold leads the Trojans past the Blue Devils. While Duke is a perennial powerhouse on the hardwood, the same can’t be said on the football field — although it has been much-improved. The Trojans remain hot. Pick: USC

Elite Eight

(8) Wisconsin vs. (11) USC

The Elite Eight matchup everyone knew was coming, right? Obviously these two teams won’t be making the regional final in the actually NCAA Tournament, but the Badgers and Trojans definitely stood out in this region on the turf. Who wins? The USC offense is just too strong. Final Four ticket has been punched. Pick: USC

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