Hoops and Horses: March Madness Brackets

All photos by Eclipse Sportswire unless otherwise noted.
For college hoopsters and horse racing fanatics alike, it’s March Madness!
The seeds have been established and the competition will be fierce.
Who will be left standing when the dust settles?
Will it be a favorite, a mid-priced player, or an unexpected Cinderella long shot?
Only time will tell, but the match-ups sure are fun to watch!
Using their résumés, talents and their unique qualities, Triple Crown guru Joe Kristufek and college hoops whiz Derek Cooley match horse and hoop contenders.
Enjoy the show and best of luck with YOUR favorites!
South
#1 Kansas
Mohaymen
Best team playing the best ball heading into the Big Dance. Has the WOW factor.
MOHAYMEN, LIKE KANSAS, LOOKS LIKE THE HORSE TO BEAT

#2 Villanova
Mo Tom
As good as any of the top teams, can shoot lights out from anywhere and run late with anyone.
#3 Miami
Exaggerator
Experienced and ready, has proven itself all season long. Rock solid and dependable.

Photo by Coady Photography
#5 Maryland
Whitmore
If Melo Trimble can get going from the field, the Terps can surprise many. An up-and-comer with lots of potential.
#4 Cal
Star Hill
Super young, but also super talented. Still figuring out how good they can be.
#9 UConn
Dazzling Gem
It’s March and UConn is hot.  What a surprise. This year’s Cinderella?
#6 Arizona
Ralis
Underwhelming season, but has the experience to go far.
RALIS HAS EXPERIENCE ON THE BIG STAGE BUT NEEDS TO BOUNCE BACK TO THAT FORM

#7 Iowa
Awesome Banner
Has looked like world beater, but also lost to Illinois in the B1G tournament. Fading off the scene.
#8 Colorado
Sunny Ridge
Can bang around down low.  That Rocky Mountain air can bode well in a tournament setting. Decent qualifications.
#10 Temple
Frank Conversation
One of the sneakiest regular season conference winners. In good hands and may surprise some folks.
BOTH TEMPLE AND FRANK CONVERSATION HAVE QUIETLY WORKED THEIR WAY TO THE TOP

Photo by Shane Micheli/Vassar Photography
#11 Vanderbilt
Matt King Coal
This Vandy team can be dangerous!  Lots of “experts” are high on them.
#11 Wichita State
Vorticity
Experienced with a top-flight backcourt.  Will the Shockers do their thing when the game is on the line?
#12 South Dakota State
Discreetness
Experienced and efficient, get to know this dangerous 12-seed.
DISCREETNESS ISN'T A HORSE TO FORGET

Photos by Coady Photography
#13 Hawaii
Dolphus
The Rainbow Warriors will stretch you out and make you play 30 feet from the basket. Sharp pedigree.
#14 Buffalo
My Man Sam
Buffalo’s first tourney appearance was last year, still getting used to this thing.
#15 UNC Asheville
Economic Model
Hey, it’s another Bulldogs mascot! These Dogs can defend, but that’s not very visually appealing.
#16 Austin Peay
It’s All Relevant
The Governors! Just happy to be Peay.
East
#1 North Carolina
Mor Spirit
Well-coached, storied history. When all goes well, this team is the best team in the nation.
WHEN MOR SPIRIT IS ON HIS GAME, HE'S HARD TO BEAT

#2 Xavier
Greenpointcrusader
A team that can adjust to its opponent, very versatile bunch.
#3 West Virginia
Suddenbreakingnews
Press West Virginia, if they set the pace they will wear you down. All-out assault late in the game.
IF SUDDENBREAKINGNEWS GETS HIS WAY, HE'S TOUGH TO BEAT

#4 Kentucky
Unified
Young, talented blue-chipper, hitting its stride. Best is yet to come.
#6 Notre Dame
Zulu
Always a tough opponent that plays well to competition. Tough on their best day.
#5 Indiana
Rafting
Sneaky regular season conference champ with a great leader in Yogi Ferrell. Teetering.
RAFTING HAS A GREAT TRAINER PREPARING HIM FOR HARDER TASKS AHEAD

Photo by Coglinese Photos/Leslie King
#7 Wisconsin
Swipe
What the Badgers lacks in experience this year, the team makes up for in effort. Lots of catching up to do.
#8 USC
Malibu Sunset
Bright lights and big city atmosphere usually translates well for the tournament.  Very talented.
#9 Providence
Awesome Speed
The Friars will go as far as Dunn and Bentil can take them. Perhaps too one-dimensional.
AWESOME SPEED LIVES UP TO HIS NAME

#10 Pittsburgh
Uncle Lino
Plays very safe.  Safe may be good in a normal setting, not so much in do or die.
#11 Michigan
Fellowship
Playing with house money thanks to a desperation three to beat Indiana.  Certainly battle-tested.
FELLOWSHIP KNOWS HOW TO STEP UP IN STAKES COMPETITION

Photo by Coglinese Photos/Leslie King
#11 Tulsa
Kasseopia
Also playing with house money. Nobody had the Golden Hurricanes here.
#12 Chattanooga
Madtap
The Mocs have played with everyone they’ve faced this season.
#13 Stoney Brook
Mo for the Money
The Seawolves are stingy, lead by Mr. Everything Jameel Warney.
#14 Stephen F. Austin
Battery
Stephen “Press” Austin will frustrate the hell out of you. Plenty of energy and well-coached.
#15 Weber State
Denman’s Call
The Wildcats are an extremely efficient 15-seed.  Dame will be watching.
#16 Florida Gulf Coast
Gettysburg
Hey it’s Dunk City again! We remember when that happened. It won’t happen this time.
#16 Fairleigh Dickinson
Amis Gizmo
Fairly light defensively. Fairly short stint.
 
Midwest
#2 Michigan State
Nyquist
The Spartans can run away from you with their lights out range with Valentine at the helm.
NYQUIST EXCELS ON THE BIG STAGE

#6 Seton Hall
Destin
On fire right now and they keep getting better. Must keep an eye on them.
#1 Virginia
Shagaf
Known for their great defense and Malcolm Brogdon brings the O, but perhaps a bit overrated.
SHAGAF STILL HAS TO PROVE THAT HE'S THE REAL DEAL

#3 Utah
Outwork
Powerful team that can run with you and bang down low.
#4 Iowa State
Conquest Windycity
Powerful leadership and can keep up with anyone. Sneaky good.
#5 Purdue
Smokey Image
Strong and deep down low, backcourt is the difference maker. Which team shows up?
SMOKEY IMAGE HAS A FEW QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

Photo by Benoit Photo
#7 Dayton
American Dubai
You can never count out the Flyers in March and they have some upside.
#8 Texas Tech
Riker
Hot start to the season, played well in a stacked Big 12 but running out of gas now.
#9 Butler
Candy My Boy
Live and die from range. That’s like playing with fire in March. Start fast, finish slow.
#11 Gonzaga
Lightstream
Are the Zags finally hitting their stride?  Better late than never.
#10 Syracuse
Cocked and Loaded
The Orange snuck into the field. Can they take advantage? Or continue their downward trend.
COCKED AND LOADED NEEDS TO BOUNCE BACK IN THE BIG RACES

#12 Little Rock
Collected
Only four losses, compared to 29 wins. Little Rock wins, period. Yes, inferior competition but now is their chance.
#13 Iona
Creator
The Gaels beat Monmouth. According to experts, that means they can beat anyone. Playing catch-up, but watch out.
#14 Fresno State
Marengo Road
The Bulldogs took the Mountain West out of nowhere.  Can they continue this surprising surge?
#15 Middle Tennessee
I Will Score
Tough luck draw for the Blue Raiders in the middle of Tennessee. Right at home but competition is too tough.
#16 Hampton
Sail Ahoy
The Pirates won’t put up much of a fight.  But Pirates are always fun.
West
#1 Oregon
Danzing Candy
The best in the West, has been really strong in all phases and is doing it somewhat quietly for a one-seed.
DANZING CANDY IS QUIETLY PROVING HE'S THE REAL DEAL

#2 Oklahoma
Brody’s Cause
Cooled off recently, but can be magical with a guy like Buddy Hield.
#4 Duke
Cupid
Never count out the heart of a defending champion. Has the pedigree and the connections.
#3 Texas A&M
Gun Runner
May be a little over-seeded, but a quality bunch for sure. May lose some steam.
GUN RUNNER IS WINNING AGAINST TOUGH FIELDS

Photo by Lou Hodges
#5 Baylor
Cherry Wine
Long and athletic, Baylor can run with anyone. Not sure how good they are or how good they can be. Time will tell.
#6 Texas
Tom’s Ready
Holding out hope but out of their element now and likely better down the road.
#8 St. Joe’s
Forevamo
Streaky, but can kill you from beyond the arc. Better than we think?
#7 Oregon State
Adventist
Lead by the son of a legend, the Beavers will have to prove worthy of the seven seed. What you see is what you get.
#9 Cincinnati
Flexibility
Tough to the core, unless you are shooting from 70 feet.
FLEXIBILITY IS TOUGH TO BEAT IN THE RIGHT CONDITIONS

#10 VCU
Laoban
The Rams get on you quick and don’t give in. Digs deep late. A tough out for anyone.
#11 Northern Iowa
Conquest Big E
If “good” UNI shows up, they can beat anyone.  Ask UNC. Good doesn’t show up often enough.
A LOT DEPENDS ON WHICH VERSION OF CONQUEST BIG E HEADS TO THE TRACK

#12 Yale
Lani
Can this great story overcome adversity?
#13 UNC Wilmington
Synchrony
The Seahawks can fly, but can find themselves buried in their own mistakes.
#14 Green Bay
Morning Fire
The Phoenix are battle tested, getting through a particularly tough Horizon league!
MORNING FIRE HAS THE EXPERIENCE TO TAKE A SUCCESSFUL NEXT STEP 

Photo by SV Photography
#15 Cal State Bakersfield
Tale of S’avall
The Roadrunners are dancing! For the first time ever! Dance classes will be needed.
#16 Southern
Zapperini
Short, sweet and simple name. Describes their one night in the dance as well.
#16 Holy Cross
Charmed Victory
The Crusaders have already … well … crusaded. They won their conference tourney with their 5-13 conference record. Waters are too deep.