The 2023 NCAA Tournament is finally upon us, and debate is raging in the final days leading up to the first-round action over how the bracket shapes up. Ultimately, the twists and turns of the event end up creating unforeseen matchups, and a single upset can open the door for utter chaos in a given region.
But until the ball is tipped, it’s impossible to know who is going to get the breaks that will help facilitate a deep run. As things stand ahead of Thursday’s action as the first round commences, the best we can do is look at the bracket and see whose path looks the easiest and whose looks most difficult.
In the West Region, for example, a potential Sweet 16 matchup with No. 4 seed UConn looks like it could be tough for No. 1 seed Kansas. But what if No. 13 seed Iona becomes the darling of the Big Dance, knocks off the Huskies and reaches the Sweet 16? The Jayhawks would match up quite favorably against the Gaels, and their path to the Final Four would all of the sudden become easier.
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Never say never. But while we wait for the hypotheticals to play out, here is a look at some of the easiest and toughest potential paths in the 2023 NCAA Tournament as things stand before the chaos.
Easiest paths
(1) Houston
The Cougars are on track to face either Iowa or Auburn in the second round. Neither should inspire fear. The Hawkeyes aren’t tough enough to hang with Houston, which rebounds and defends in a ferocious manner. Auburn is a poor 3-point shooting team that is far less talented inside than it was last season when Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler were on the roster. The Tigers’ only logical approach against Houston would be to muck the game up with pressure and tempo. That wouldn’t bother Houston.
Once the Sweet 16 rolls around, No. 5 seed Miami is a…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2023-the-contenders-with-the-easiest-and-most-difficult-paths-in-the-ncaa-tournament/
Author : David Cobb
Publish date : 2023-03-15 19:28:42
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