NCAA Tournament 2013: East Region Preview, Schedule, Predictions

Feb 07, 2013; Champaign, IL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Christian Watford (2) and Indiana Hoosiers guard Jordan Hulls (1) and Indiana Hoosiers forward Cody Zeller (40) and Indiana Hoosiers guard Kevin Ferrell (11) during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

Let the Madness officially begin! The NCAA Tournament will kick off this week and expect plenty of madness.

Overall, there is a pretty good chance that a #1 seed will reach the Final Four unless you have a Butler or a George Mason. The East region will be the toughest region in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

The East region contains: the Big Ten regular season champion, the ACC tournament and almost #1 seed Miami Hurricanes, an inconsistent Illinois team, and a Butler team that can always be underrated.

Second Round – Thursday, March 21st/Friday, March 22nd

Game 1: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 16 LIU Brooklyn/James Madison, March 22nd 3:10 p.m. CST (Dayton)
Game 2: No. 8 North Carolina State vs. No. 9 Temple, March 22nd, 12:40 p.m. CST (Dayton)
Game 3: No. 5 UNLV vs. No. 12 California, March 21st, 6:27 p.m. CST (San Jose)
Game 4: No. 4 Syracuse vs. No. 13 Montana, March 21st 8:57 p.m. CST (San Jose)
Game 5: No. 6 Butler vs. No. 11 Bucknell, March 21st 11:40 a.m. CST (Lexington)
Game 6: No. 3 Marquette vs. No. 14 Davidson, March 21st 2:10 p.m. CST (Lexington)
Game 7: No. 7 Illinois vs. No. 10 Colorado, March 22nd 3:40 p.m. CST (Austin)
Game 8: No. 2 Miami (FL) vs. No. 15 Pacific, March 22nd 1:10 p.m. CST (Austin)

Third Round – Saturday, March 23rd/Sunday, March 24th

Game 9: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner
Game 10: No. 12 California vs. Game 4 Winner, March 23rd at TBA (San Jose)
Game 11: No. 6 Butler vs. No. 3 Marquette, March 23rd at TBA (Lexington)
Game 12: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner

Sweet Sixteen – Thursday, March 28th/Friday, March 29th 

Game 13: Game 9 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner
Game 14: Game 11 Winner vs. Game 12 Winner

Elite Eight – Saturday, March 30th/Sunday, March 31st

Game 15: Game 13 Winner vs. Game 14 Winner

Predictions

Note: This region will come down to the Hoosiers and the Hurricanes. Expect both teams to make the Elite Eight and to play a tough game. Miami (FL) should have been a #1 seed in the tournament, but ended up with a 2nd seed. Out of all the #2 seeds, they have the best chance of making the Final Four.

Projected winning teams are in bold.

Second Round – Thursday, March 21st/Friday, March 22nd

No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 16 LIU Brooklyn/James Madison
No. 8 North Carolina State vs. No. 9 Temple
No. 5 UNLV vs. No. 12 California
No. 4 Syracuse vs. No. 13 Montana
No. 6 Butler vs. No. 11 Bucknell
No. 3 Marquette vs. No. 14 Davidson
No. 7 Illinois vs. No. 10 Colorado
No. 2 Miami (FL) vs. No. 15 Pacific

Third Round – Saturday, March 23rd/Sunday, March 24th

No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Temple
No. 5 UNLV vs. No. 4 Syracuse
No. 6 Butler vs. No. 3 Marquette
No. 7 Illinois vs. No. 2 Miami (FL) 

Sweet Sixteen – Thursday, March 28th/Friday, March 29th 

No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 UNLV
No. 6 Butler vs. No. 2 Miami (FL)

Elite Eight – Saturday, March 30th/Sunday, March 31st

No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 2 Miami (FL)

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