clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

NCAA Basketball Tournament 2012 Predictions: West Region First And Second Round Matchups

Onto the wild, wild West! Amazingly, the first thing that came to my mind after typing that last sentence is the song by the Escape Club, a shockingly terrible late-80s English pop-rock band. Interestingly* the Escape Club are the only British artist ever to have a song reach #1 in the United States without managing to even reach the charts in the UK.

*Not at all interesting.

Anyways, onto the games!

(1) Michigan State vs. (16) Long Island

Despite being a dominant force during the early days of college basketball, Long Island has never won a game in the NCAA tournament. I am planning to re-use that sentence the next time the Blackbirds make the tournament.

(8) Memphis vs. (9) St. Louis

Memphis will advance here, largely because every time a call goes against the Tigers Josh Pastner will bat his eyelashes pathetically at the referees. Failing that, he will hold his breath until he turns blue.

Because he's young, you see.

(5) New Mexico vs. (12) Long Beach State

I'm picking New Mexico in this one if for no other reason than the universe cannot encourage Long Beach State to continue wearing those godawful jerseys.

(4) Louisville vs. (13) Davidson

Louisville will win, because they're pretty good, but good heavens can they be boring in their effectiveness. I mean winning is what matters and blah blah blah, but try scoring some points.

(6) Murray State vs. (11) Colorado State

Murray State have that weird mid-major status where they're instantly recognizable to even the most casual of college basketball fans but have never actually done a whole lot. Yeah, they've pulled off a couple of huge upsets but at the end of the day a 2-14 record isn't exactly illustrious. Still, coming in with just one loss on the season and as the favorites for once, this must be the year they establish themselves as a real force, right?

Nope. I'm picking Colorado State, because I hate joy.

(3) Marquette vs. (14) BYU/Iona

Doesn't matter; Marquette wins.

(7) Florida vs. (10) Virginia

Is it just me or does it seem like the 7/10 game is the refuge of the slightly-better-than-mediocre power conference teams? These games are never interesting. Anyways, Florida wins.

(2) Missouri vs. (15) Norfolk State

A 15 beating a 2 is just plausible enough that it's tempting to do research before penciling in the #2 to advance. Unless you're lazy. Like me.

Marquette probably wins by a lot.

Stay with this NCAA Predictions StoryStream throughout the day as SBN Seattle's crack team of bracketologists give you their picks.


Follow @sbnSeattle on Twitter | Like SB Nation Seattle on Facebook


Check back with our Selection Sunday/NCAA Bracket StoryStream throughout the day, and make sure you head over to SB Nation's Printable Bracket StoryStream to start making your picks.

Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube