NCAA Bracket 2019: East Region Predictions, Upsets, Picks, Players to Watch

Well this is the Gopher’s bracket and we are in the region that has the #1 overall seed and probably the 2-seed who has the best argument for a 1 in Michigan State. We all know that the Gophers play Louisville and there are a couple interesting storylines there, but this post is a focus on the rest of the region. Here is the East Region.

The Teams

#1 Duke Blue Devils vs. #16 First Four Play In

#2 Michigan State Spartans vs. #15 Bradley Braves

#3 LSU Tigers vs. #14 Yale Bulldogs

#4 Virginia Tech Hokies vs. #13 Saint Louis Billikens

#5 Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. #12 Liberty Flames

#6 Maryland Terrapins vs. #11 First Four Play In

#7 Louisville Cardinals vs. #10 Minnesota Golden Gophers

#8 VCU Rams vs. #9 UCF Knights

Key Questions Answered

Who wins the East Region?

I’m all in on Duke this year, this team is absolutely loaded. Not only is Zion Williamson the best player in the country with a bullet, but Duke has 2 other kids who will be top 10 draft picks. This team is loaded.

Who has the best mascot in the region?

Goldy, obvi. But if I have to go with someone else I choose the Billikens of St. Louis. It was 1995 when the Gophers played the Billikens in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, I lied to my mom so I could be home from school to watch Minnesota lose in overtime.

Who are the players to watch?

Zion Williamson is special. I’ve seen him only a couple times this year but he is a unique player and a must-watch.

Besides the NBA’s top pick? Dylan Windler of Belmont scores 21.4 ppg along with 10.7 rebounds.

Who wins the #5 vs. #12 matchup?

Liberty shoots the three really well, but I’ll go with Mississippi State in this one.

Who is the Guaranteed Upset Special?

Belmont beats Temple and then beats Maryland. Belmont has some offensive firepower and they’ll have the momentum after winning in Dayton.