SicEm365 Staff Predictions for the NCAA Tournament

The SicEm365 Staff gives their predictions for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament as well as their prediction on how far the Bears will go during its March Madness run.

Ashley Hodge

• Round of 64 - Baylor 89, Colgate 73
• Round of 32 - Baylor 85, New Mexico 77
• NCAA Tournament Prediction - Final Four Loss to UCONN

Not facing any Big 12 teams on the road to the Final Four will be a relief for the Bears. I expect the scoring numbers to be up as tendencies and scouting just don't have enough time to properly prepare for this Baylor offense. The zone should be particularly effective on short turnarounds. Time to eat!  

Brian Ethridge

• Round of 64 - Baylor 82, Colgate 64
• Round of 32 - Baylor 77, New Mexico 71
• NCAA Tournament Prediction - Elite 8

Baylor needs to avoid foul trouble and hit open shots while keeping Colgate off the 3-point line. The athleticism is going to be too much for Colgate to handle in the end.

New Mexico creates different problems for Baylor, but the Big 12 created the defense UNM emulates. The Bears drive and dominate the boards for a late pullaway win.

Colt Barber

• Round of 64 - Baylor 85, Colgate 70
• Round of 32 - Baylor 79, Clemson 71
• NCAA Tournament Prediction - Sweet 16 Loss to Arizona

Baylor gets through the first weekend and reaches the Sweet 16 but Arizona’s offense and defensive balance keep Baylor from advancing further. Baylor just can’t overcome its defensive struggles against a top offense like Arizona.

Kendall Kaut

• Round of 64 - Baylor 82, Colgate 60
• Round of 32 - Baylor 72, New Mexico 68
• NCAA Tournament Prediction - Sweet 16 Loss to Arizona

I think Baylor blows out Colgate. I don't expect that game to be close. Way too much talent for Baylor. 

New Mexico will give Baylor a scare, but Baylor hits enough threes to pull away. 

I think Baylor struggles, as Caleb Love goes off, and Arizona knocks off Baylor in LA. 

Paul Catalina

• Round of 64 - Baylor 80, Colgate 68
• Round of 32 - Baylor 75, New Mexico 70
• NCAA Tournament Prediction - Sweet 16 Loss to Arizona

Baylor will be too much for Colgate. Not much to see here and hopefully a get-right game for the offense.

The Lobos will give Baylor all they want. But I think this Bears team has enough offense to hold them off.

Arizona is just better and more complete. Baylor should hang with them for a while, but ultimately the Wildcats put some distance in between. And if Baylor does the “let’s not score for 7 minutes” thing in this one, it will be painful. 

David Smoak

• Round of 64 - Baylor 78, Colgate 68
• Round of 32 - Baylor 75, New Mexico 70
• NCAA Tournament Prediction - Sweet 16 Loss

Baylor’s erratic starts and poor shooting from the perimeter while allowing too many open shots is a bad combination. I think they’ll be fortunate to get past the opening weekend, but they will and they will lose in the Sweet Sixteen.

Grayson Grundhoefer

• Round of 64 - Baylor 79, Colgate 61
• Round of 32 - Baylor 80, Clemson 71
• NCAA Tournament Prediction - Sweet 16 Loss to Arizona

Colgate is terrible on offense and not athletic enough on defense which is a recipe for disaster against this Baylor team. Bears roll through the first round. Everyone is picking New Mexico to win the game against Clemson so I am going to go against the grain. I’ll take the Tigers to face the Bears in the Round of 32. That is a good thing for Baylor. Clemson does not play good enough defense to keep up with Baylor in this round. Bears are on to the Sweet 16.

Jack Mackenzie

• Round of 64 - Baylor 84, Colgate 68
• Round of 32 - Baylor 70, New Mexico 65
• NCAA Tournament Prediction - Sweet 16 Loss to Arizona

Like many, I think the Bears got a favorable draw. Colgate should not be able to handle the talent and athleticism of Baylor. New Mexico is on a heater right now and Clemson has slipped up in three of their last four (against so-so competition). The Lobos have a top-25 defense and create a lot of steals. A dangerous matchup, that I think Baylor finds a way through before falling in their next game.

Garrett Ross

• Round of 64 - Baylor 79, Colgate 63
• Round of 32 - Baylor 81, New Mexico 75
• NCAA Tournament Prediction - Sweet 16 Loss to Arizona

I’ve never viewed this team as one that could make it past the Sweet 16. This is the best draw that Baylor could have asked for in the dance, but their inconsistent play will ultimately do them in.

Travis Roeder

• Round of 64 - Baylor (?), Colgate (More than ?)
• NCAA Tournament Prediction - Round of 64 Loss to Colgate

Sadly, I think Baylor takes an exit against Colgate; I just don't trust this team's mentality and I'm skeptical about how they respond in crunch time against a team that will be extremely motivated. Obligatory "I hope to be wrong!" but I don't feel the it-factor with this team. 

Levi Caraway

• Round of 64 - Baylor 80, Colgate 65
• Round of 32 - Baylor 80, New Mexico 78
• NCAA Tournament Prediction - Elite 8 Loss to North Carolina

If New Mexico were playing another team, I’d have predicted they would make a real run. The Lobos are playing their best basketball right now, and I’m a big fan of JT Toppin down low and their trio of guards. However, I think the Bears can squeak this one out. Arizona should give Baylor fits in the Sweet 16, but all it takes is for Caleb Love to have a rough shooting game and Yves Missi to shut down Oumar Ballo, and anything can happen.