2013 NCAA Bracket Picks and Predictions: No. 2 Seed Most Likely to Lose First

2013 NCAA Tournament Bracket Picks and Predictions – No. 2 Seed Most Likely to Lose First: While the difference between a No. 1 and No. 2 seed in the NCAA Bracket may seem insignificant, the numbers say otherwise. All four No. 2 seeds have made it out of the first weekend only once in the last 16 years. You read that correctly. Only once in the last 16 seasons have all four No. 2 seeds been a round in the Sweet 16. Heck, half of the No. 2 seeds didn’t even win a game last year. It is basically a given that at least one of the No. 2 seeds in this year’s NCAA Bracket is getting bounced and getting bounced early. On that note, here is a closer look at which of the No. 2 seeds should be on red alert.

1.      Georgetown Hoyas (South Region)

Despite the South Region lacking an obvious frontrunner and being one of the more wide-open portions of the bracket, the Hoyas aren’t a lock to go on a deep run. Yes, the Hoyas have a great defense. Yes, they have a great approach on the offense end. Yes, they have a true star and go-to scorer in Otto Porter Jr. However, Georgetown’s methodical style of play on offense has a tendency to keep opponents in the game.  Keep in mind that the Hoyas lost to Ohio in their opening game in 2010 and to VCU in 2011 so there is a history of failures in March with Georgetown’s current style of play. Plain and simple, the Hoyas don’t blow out many teams and could go down in just about any round.

2.      Ohio State Buckeyes (West Region)

Fresh of a Big Ten Tournament title, the Buckeyes are one of the hottest teams in the country. Ohio State also has an athletic, stingy defense and a big time scorer in forward in Deshaun Thomas. However, the Buckeyes’ recent hot streak has been directly fueled by the improved offensive of point guard Aaron Craft. When Ohio State was lacking a No. 2 scoring option, they were a bad offensive team and extremely vulnerable. One off game from Craft could spell an early end for the Buckeyes, and it could come as early as their first game. After all, 15th-seeded Iona ranks second in the country in scoring so OSU better make sure it has its act together on offense right from the start.

3.      Miami Hurricanes (East Region)

As surprising as the Hurricanes have been this season en route to winning the ACC regular season and tournament titles, they have had some bad losses. Miami lost to Florida Gulf Coast and Indiana State out of conference and Georgia Tech and Wake Forest in ACC play. That being said, the one-and-done format of the NCAA Tournament should result in a focused effort from the Hurricanes, and when Miami is locked in on the defensive end, this becomes an elite team. It also helps the East Region of the NCAA Bracket doesn’t have any team outside of Indiana that is just stacked with talent or any that are on fire heading into the Big Dance. Until the Elite Eight, Miami should be in control of its own fate.

4.      Duke Blue Devils (Midwest Region)

Yes, they landed in the brutal Midwest Region of the NCAA Bracket, but the Blue Devils actually match up well with most of the teams they will likely face. They should cruise to the Sweet 16 where a meeting with third-seeded Michigan State will give the Blue Devils their first look at a physical defense that could pose an issue. However, the teeth of the Spartans’ defense are their twin pillars in the frontcourt, and Duke does most of its damage on offense from the perimeter. Not to mention the fact that the Blue Devils have knocked off the region’s top seed Louisville during the regular season. Duke didn’t lose a regular season game this year when its starting lineup was healthy, and the nation’s toughest schedule should have them prepared for the so-called “region of death.”

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