Matt Huether studies stats to predict the outcome of sporting contests
The NCAA March Madness Tournament is arguably the most coveted college sporting championship. In the field there are two local rivals UC and Xavier. The Bearcats of UC (2 seed) play the Georgia State Panthers (15 seed). The Xavier Musketeers (1 seed) drew the Texas Southern Tigers (16 seed). First UC, Cincinnati is one of only seven teams to make the NCAA tournament the last 8 seasons. Cincinnati has been consistently good for the past ten years, but has struggled in the NCAA tournament. Cincinnati when seeded as a four or higher has not made it past the second round of the tournament (within the past 15 years). Xavier boasts a 28 and 5 record and look to make a deep tournament run.
U.C.
For Cincinnati look for 6’8 Senior Forward Gary Clark who averages 13.0 points per game on 51.9% shooting. Gary also averages 8.5 rebounds a game, 2.1 assists a game, and 1.2 blocks a game. Also for UC look for 6’6 Junior Guard Jacob Evans who averages 12.9 points per game on 43.0% shooting. Jacob also 4.6 rebounds a game, 3.2 assists per game, and 1.0 blocks a game.
For Georgia State look for 6’3 Sophomore Guard D’Marcus Simonds who averages 21.1 points per game on 46.0% shooting. D’Marcus also averages 5.8 rebounds a game, 4.5 assists per game and 1.7 steals a game. Also for Georgia State look for 6’4 Junior Guard Devin Mitchell who averages 12.2 points per game on 45.1% shooting (45.1% from 3). Devin also averages 2.5 rebounds a game and 1.9 assists.
Overall: Cincinnati by 29
Estimated Score: 78-49 Cincinnati
MAR 16 (FRI) 2 PM – NASHVILLE, TN – TV: TBS – RADIO: 700 WLW AM
X
For Xavier Look for 6’6 Senior Guard Trevon Bluiett who averages 19.5 points per game on 44.2% shooting. Trevon also averages 5.7 rebounds a game and 2.5 assists per game. Also for Xavier look for 6’5 Senior Guard J.P. Macura who averages 12.2 points per game on 45.9% shooting. J.P. also averages 4.4 rebounds per game and 3.0 assists per game.
For Texas Southern look for 5’7 Sophomore Guard Demontrae Jefferson who averages 23.4 points per game on 42.5% shooting. Demontrae also averages 3.2 rebounds a game and 4.5 assists per game. Also for Texas Southern look for 6’4 Senior Guard Donte Clark who averages 18.6 points per game on 40.3% shooting. Donte also averages 5.3 rebounds a game and 2.6 assists per game.
Overall: Xavier by 27
Estimated Score: 77-50 Xavier
CLICK HERE for the best up-dated tournament bracket.
Obama
Presidential Bracket: Barack Obama correctly picked last year’s tournament champion, this year President Obama has picked Michigan State to win. President Obama has both UC and Xavier losing in his Elite 8. President Obama has UC losing to Virginia and 
Xavier losing to North Carolina. President Obama’s final four are: Virginia, Villanova, North Carolina, and Michigan State. Out of these four President Obama has Virginia and Michigan State in the Championship game. In the Championship game President Obama has Michigan State beating Virginia.
“Just because I have more time to watch games doesn’t mean my picks will be better, but here are my brackets this year,” said former President Barack Obama in releasing his famous bracket.
