Going for a big game in the NCAA tournament is the kind of glory that lasts forever. While this is just the round of 64, a strong performance certainly won't go unnoticed.
I've got a feeling that Shabazz Muhammad has saved his best for the tournament. This insanely-gifted athlete has had an excellent freshman season averaging 17.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. However, there have been stretches this season where he has looked almost bored.
With the bright lights of the tournament shining down, don't expect anything other than Muhammad's best, and the Bruins are going to need it as they just lost second-leading scorer Jordan Adams to a broken foot on March 15.
The Gophers don't have anyone with the combination of size, strength and speed to match up with Muhammad—no one this side of the Miami Heat does—and Ben Howland will look for ways to get his dynamic freshman going early.
No. 1 seed Indiana is going to destroy James Madison, and I fully expect the Hoosiers to have their starters resting on the bench by the end of this game.
Zeller is one of the premier scorers in the nation. He averaged 16.9 points per game while shooting 57.3 percent from the field this season.
If Indiana didn't have so many other capable-scoring weapons, he would have scored more. Zeller is surrounded by shooters, which helps take the defensive pressure off of him. However, it also means fewer looks for Zeller.
With Indiana jumping out to a big lead in this one, they will make it a point of looking to Zeller for easy buckets to keep James Madison at bay.
North Carolina (8) takes on Villanova (9) in what should be an excellent game. I've got the Tar Heels winning a close one, and that will largely be due to their three-point shooting.
The Tar Heels hit 255 three-pointers this season, and that would have been even higher had they employed their four-guard lineup earlier in the season.
That shooting is going to be especially effective in this game as Villanova can struggle to close out on shooters, and on the season, they allowed 30 more three-pointers than they hit.
Of all of the Tar Heels shooters, I expect Reggie Bullock to have the best day. At 6'7" he can launch shots over defenders, and if anyone with the length to rattle him steps up, he will blow right by them.
Bullock hit a solid 43.8 percent of his threes during the season, and he will set the pace for the Tar Heels in this game.
Don't forget to print out your bracket and follow along with the live bracket. Follow all the exciting NCAA tournament action with March Madness Live.
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