2015 NCAA Bracket Picks: Midwest Region Odds, Predictions and Bracketology Projections

2015 NCAA Bracket Picks – Midwest Region Odds, Predictions and Bracketology Projections: Unlike some recent years when the No. 1 overall seed has been placed in a brutal region of the NCAA Tournament Bracket, the Kentucky Wildcats were named the top overall seed and placed in a Midwest Region that isn’t exactly the “Region of Death.” Yes, perennial power Kansas joins Kentucky in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament Bracket, but the overall depth doesn’t stack up with some other regions in the 2015 NCAA tournament. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the Midwest Region.

2015 NCAA Bracket Picks: NCAA Midwest Bracket Favorites to Make the Final Four

Kentucky: The Wildcats roll into the NCAA tournament with a 34-0 record, and they were rewarded with the No. 1 overall seed and a very manageable region. After all, the Kansas Jayhawks are the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, and Kentucky slaughtered Kansas 72-40 earlier this year. Thanks to their depth, height and athleticism, the Wildcats absolutely smother teams defensively, and even when they have an off night offensively, they can still win comfortably. Heck, only one NBA team has more height than the Wildcats. With Aaron and Andrew Harrison and Willie Cauley-Stein among the players back from last year’s Final Four team and stud newcomers like Karl-Anthony Towns joining the mix, the Wildcats have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal heading into March Madness.

Notre Dame: If there were any questions about whether or not the Fighting Irish were legit, they answered them by claiming the ACC tournament title. Notre Dame is one of the top offensive teams in the country, and they enter the NCAA tournament ranked 12th in the country in scoring and second in field goal percentage. Meanwhile, they have a true go-to option in the clutch in guard Jerian Grant, and five players that can knock down shots from the perimeter. With so many teams in college basketball struggling to score these days, the Fighting Irish break the mold. If Grant and company get hot, they can out-score the competition all the way to Indianapolis.

2015 NCAA Bracket Picks: NCAA Midwest Bracket Upset Specials

Texas over Butler: Although the Bulldogs took care of business in Big East play, they didn’t exactly wow against top competition out of conference. Yes, they beat North Carolina, but they lost to Oklahoma, Tennessee and Indiana. Of course, Texas has been equally futile against tougher opponents, and the Longhorns have underachieved most of the year despite being blessed with plenty of talent. Texas also has a ton of size inside with Myles Turner, Jonathan Holmes and Cameron Ridley, and if the Longhorns play up to their potential, Butler is going to have its hands full.

Purdue over Cincinnati: Neither team jumps off the page statistically, but both the Boilermakers and the Bearcats have avoided bad losses and taken care of business against teams they were supposed to beat. However, the Bearcats have struggled on the offensive end all year, and they have had a few games where they just haven’t been able to put the ball in the basket. The managed just 55 points in a double-overtime loss to Nebraska, they scored just 46 in a loss to a below .500 East Carolina team, and they managed just 49 points, including 13 in the first half, in a loss to lowly Tulane. Cincinnati’s absentee offense could come back to haunt them.

2015 NCAA Bracket Picks: NCAA Midwest Bracket High Seeds on Alert

Kansas: The Jayhawks earned the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament Bracket, and while they are certainly battle tested and own wins over plenty of tough opponents, they have also had some shaky losses, including a 25-point defeat to Temple. More concerning is the state of the Jayhawks’ frontcourt. Forward Perry Ellis is coming back from a strained knee, and highly-touted freshman Cliff Alexander is sidelined with eligibility issues. Meanwhile, Kansas’ guards have been inconsistent shooting the ball most of the year. Add it all up, and the Jayhawks could be sent packing early.

NCAA Midwest Bracket PREDICTION: Kentucky Wildcats

Odds to win the 2015 Midwest Region
Kentucky #1
4/11
Notre Dame #3
9/1
Wichita State #7
9/1
Kansas #2
10/1
Texas #11
25/1
Maryland #4
33/1
Butler #6
40/1
West Virginia #5
50/1
Indiana #10
66/1
Cincinnati #8
75/1
Purdue #9
75/1
Buffalo #12
150/1
New Mexico State #15
150/1
Northeastern #14
150/1
Valparaiso #13
150/1
Hampton #16
500/1
Manhattan #16
500/1