Coaches Corner: NCAA Tournament picks

With the NCAA Tournament set to tip, off we polled 20 assistant college coaches from all across the country who did not make the field of 68 about potential March Madness outcomes.

No. 1 overall seed Kansas and Midwest No. 2 seed Michigan State emerged as the favorites with seven picks each among the coaches we spoke with. North Carolina was next in line with three picks while neither of the other No. 1 seeds, Oregon or Virginia, was picked.

Kentucky, Connecticut and Oklahoma each received a pick.

“I like Kansas and I like Michigan State. I think a lot of it is coaching and they are both seasoned, veteran teams with high level players. Michigan State with Denzel Valentine and Kansas with Perry Ellis and Wayne Selden leading, they aren’t typically freshman, one-and-done talent loaded teams. Those teams, because of their coaching and their veterans, are built to advance instead of being built around having four or five young, first-round draft picks. At the end of the day, I take Michigan State because of Valentine. He is the difference-maker.” – Big East assistant

“I would have to say that one of two teams will win the whole thing. Either North Carolina or Kansas and probably Kansas because of the way Bill Self has coached them this year.

"I feel pretty strongly about either one of them making a run and winning. What I also like about both of those teams don’t rely on one guy or two guys having to put up huge numbers. UNC doesn’t have to have Brice Johnson or Marcus Paige have 20 to win. Kansas has proven they enough guys to overcome it if Wayne Selden has a bad game. Does Michigan State have enough to overcome it if Denzel Valentine has a bad game? I’m not sure if they do.”- SEC assistant

“I’m going to go with Kansas. They have depth. They have dudes that were high school All-Americans and dudes who would be our best player that don’t even play. They also have good guards with experience and Perry Ellis. Ellis, he just does everything right and I don’t know how else to put it because he does so much positive and his team follows him.” – Conference USA assistant

“The school I like is Michigan State. The reason I like the Spartans is because they are one of the most complete teams in college basketball. They rebound, they defend and they score. When they take care of the ball they are almost unbeatable. Nobody has figured out how to guard Denzel Valentine yet and I don’t think anybody will. Their interior guys (Deyonta) Davis and (Matt) Costello are really good too. They will defend and rebound and if they get offensive production from them it will be tough to knock them out.” – Big Ten assistant

"I say Kansas. They have the most balanced attack and the ability to score inside and out. They have guards who can get into the paint, shooters who can shoot, and bigs who can score. Coaches do such a great job of taking things away in the tournament, but I don't know where you even begin in order to shut down Kansas." -American Athletic Conference assistant

"I think Michigan State is going to win because of their depth, their defense, and their offense is hard to scout because they run so many sets. They are always primed for March. Izzo always has those guys ready for March." - Conference USA assistant

"I have Kansas, Texas A&M, North Carolina and Virginia in the Final Four this year. I have North Carolina as the winner. It's supposed to be they are playing a lot better right now, Marcus Paige is making some shots now and they are really defending. Also you have a guy like Isaiah Hicks coming off the bench and he’s been a problem. I think they are rounding into form. I think their first two games will be tough and Joe Dooley will even get FGCU to hang with them a bit. Overall I think it sets up pretty well for them, though.

"A team that slows it down and wants to play them in a half court could give them problems if Carolina isn’t making shots. But, as long as Carolina rebounds and keeps playing like they have I like them.” – ACC assistant

“I’m not 100 percent sold on North Carolina just yet because I’m worried that they might be a little too soft. But they are also maybe the most talented team in the country and they can score in big numbers so you have to think they are capable of getting hot.” – Southland Conference assistant

"I'll go with North Carolina because they seem like they are hitting their stride right now. Roy Williams usually doesn't let down in the tournament when he's got one of the best teams. I think the Tar Heels cut down the nets." -Sun Belt assistant

“I think Oregon is a one seed that could lose early or at least before the Elite Eight. I can’t put my finger on it, I just mostly think they have a bracket that doesn’t set up well for them.” – Conference USA assistant

“Maybe everybody is overlooking Virginia. We all know that Tony Bennett can coach and Malcolm Brogdon is maybe the toughest guard in the country. But, will they be able to control the tempo in each of their games and what will happen if they can’t?” – Big 12 assistant

“Oregon is versatile and can play some different styles. They also have the only designated shot blocker/three point shooter in Chris Boucher, so he’s a really funky matchup. I’m just not sure that they can be counted on to make shots for four straight games to get to the Final Four. If they get there, Altman will be able to game plan.” – Mountain West assistant

“Connecticut is my sleeper just because Daniel Hamilton is playing at a high level and he’s such a mismatch on the wing. You have guards like Jalen Adams who are hitting their stride when they need to. Also you have shot blocking inside and nobody is expecting them to win or advance far so there’s no pressure. They’ve been in that position before and they have come out swinging so you always have to watch out for them.” – Pac-12 assistant

“You have Kentucky there as a No. 4 seed and I really think they could make a run. Tyler Ulis is incredible and in the tournament guard play is so important. Their bigs have been inconsistent but they have so many of them and they are very talented from top to bottom.” – Big East assistant

“I’m rolling with Buddy Hield and the Sooners. They have a bunch of experience to go along with him and Buddy is the best player in the country. They are a great shooting team and I don’t think that they way their bracket sets up presents the toughest road.” – Southland assistant

“I think a team like West Virginia could really give North Carolina or any other team a lot of problems because you can’t simulate what they do in a practice. They just come at you in waves and play with no fear and lots of toughness.” -ACC assistant

“I do like Miami as a sleeper because they are old and experienced. They have a post presence and two high scoring guys in Angel Rodriguez and Sheldon McClellan. Jim Larrañaga lets his guys play and they are never going to be uptight in a tough situation and that could be very good for them.” Big Ten assistant

“I like what Billy Kennedy is doing with Texas A&M and I think that their talent has been underrated. Alex Caruso makes a lot happen as a playmaker and Danuel House can take over a game as a scorer. If they can keep Tyler Davis out of foul trouble and get him the ball, then they could make some noise.” ACC assistant